Stage Manager Mac: Everything you need to know to start using it

One of the new features that the 2022 MacOS Ventura version brought was Stage Manager Mac, the visual organizer that is so practical when it comes to manage our applications and windows on the computer screen. In this post we are going to review all the features of this tool and review some tips to get the most out of it.

With the Stage Manager, Apple has managed to provide Mac users with a very efficient resource with which to organize windows and background applications on the screen. The application has achieved successfully replace the previous solution, the Exposé function.

What is Stage Manager for Mac?

For those who regularly use their Mac to work in multitasking mode, Stage Manager is a valuable tool. Thanks to her, it is possible organize the different windows clearly and simply. Above all, it gives us the advantage of being able focus on the single application we are using at any given time, No distractions.

At the same time, the transition between different applications is smooth and simple. The selected application will be positioned in the center of the screenWhile the rest of the applications will be displayed in the background, on the left side of the screen. Another option that Stage manager Mac offers us is to superimpose windows, which considerably simplifies the general visualization.

How it works

Let's move on to the practical: How to use Stage Manager? Once we have verified that our Mac is compatible with this function (you can do it in the final section of this article), to start the tool we only have to go to the upper right part of the screen and access the Control center. It displays, among others, the Visual Organizer or Stage Manager icon, which we can activate or deactivate with a simple click.

The Stage Manager overview box shows us a main window with the application we are using and a series of thumbnails at the bottom. This is a small summary of the basic functions of the visual organizer:

• Select a window- Simply click on the corresponding thumbnail in the ribbon displayed at the bottom of the open main window. By default, the thumbnails of the last six windows that we have used are displayed. These thumbnails are not still photos, but instead offer a real-time view of each window, so it is possible to see what is happening in them without having to open them.
• Create a group of windows. Instead of a single window with a single application, you can choose to create a group of windows in the center of the screen. To do this you have to drag a thumbnail over the window in the center, or click on it while holding down the Shift key.
• Drag items to other windows. It is another very practical function that is achieved by keeping the element on the destination thumbnail until its window is located in the center. Then you just have to let go.
• Hide a thumbnail. This action is executed through the Command + H key combination. Although it is hidden, it will be available again by pressing the Command + Tab keys.

In addition to this, it is important to highlight that Stage Manager offers us many interesting customization possibilities. To access them you must follow these steps:

1. First we are going to System settings.
2. There we select Desk and Dock.
3. We access the option Windows and apps, in which is located the Visual organizer.
4. Finally, we choose Personalize.

There we find a very simple menu to choose all the parameters that we can define to show/hide applications, display modes, etc.

Stage Manager Mac Compatibility Requirements

Yes, there is no doubt that the Stage Manager Mac function can greatly improve our performance when working with a Mac. But in order to enjoy its advantages, it is first necessary know if our model MacBook it's compatible.

The first thing we should do is make sure that our Mac is updated with macOS Ventura version or higher. In general, any equipment from the following list would work:

• iMac (as of 2017).
• iMacPro.
• Mac Mini (2018 model and later)
• MacBook Pro (2017 model and later)
• MacBook Air (2018 model and later)
• MacBook (2017 model and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 model and later)

And what about the iPad? Stage Manager can also be used with those models that have an M1 or M2 chip. They would be the following:

• 11-inch iPad Pro 4th generation (Apple M2 processor).
• 12,9-inch iPad Pro 3th generation (Apple M1 processor).
• 12,9-inch iPad Pro 5th generation (Apple M1 processor).
• 12,9-inch iPad Pro 6th generation (Apple M2 processor).
• iPad Air 5th generation (Apple M1 processor).

Conclusion

For users who are accustomed to work in multitasking, learning how to use Stage Manager Mac is undoubtedly an excellent option. Just the fact of being able to jump from one application to another so quickly and easily is a considerable help: from email to calendar, from browser to word processor...

The use of this tool means a notable improvement in our productivity, since it simplifies daily actions and allows us to be much more efficient.