Why Command + Tab on Mac misses the window you want

macOS separates app switching from window switching. Command + Tab cycles through running apps and brings all of that app’s open windows forward together. If the window you need is behind another window of the same app, or minimized to the Dock, Command + Tab alone will not take you to it.

macOS does include Command + ` (the key above Tab on US keyboards) to cycle windows within the current app, and Mission Control (Control + Up Arrow) to view open windows. Neither gives you a single keyboard switcher that steps through every window across all apps with previews, and Command + ` varies by keyboard layout and ignores minimized windows.

Switch between every open window with Option + Tab

Tidest adds Option + Tab window switching while leaving macOS’s native Command + Tab untouched. Hold Option and press Tab to open window previews; press Tab again to move to the next window, and release Option to switch.

Every window of the same app is listed on its own — five Finder windows appear as five separate choices. If you pick a minimized window, Tidest restores it first and brings it to the front.

  • Hold Option, press Tab to open the switcher, and release Option to jump to the selected window.
  • Click any preview directly, swipe left or right, or scroll the mouse wheel.
  • Choose between a horizontal row preview and a vertical grid preview in Settings → Windows, or change the shortcut.

Works with or without Screen Recording permission

Tidest requires Accessibility permission so it can switch and move windows. Screen Recording permission is optional and only used to render live window thumbnails.

If you prefer not to grant Screen Recording, choose “Not now” during setup. Tidest still switches every individual window using app icons and window titles.