Mac window keyboard shortcuts: the complete cheat sheet
Switch, hide, tile and move windows without touching the mouse.
By Geethika Tatiparthi · October 22, 2026 · I make TidyFrame, which is mentioned below.
Switching between apps and windows
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌘ Tab | Switch to another app (keep ⌘ held and press Tab again to move along) |
| ⌘ ` | Switch between windows of the same app |
| ⌘ M | Minimize the window to the Dock |
| ⌘ H | Hide the whole app |
| ⌥ ⌘ H | Hide every other app |
| ⌘ W | Close the window |
| ⌘ Q | Quit the app |
| ⌃ ⌘ F | Full screen on or off (in most apps) |
Mission Control and Spaces
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌃ ↑ | Mission Control: see every open window |
| ⌃ ↓ | App Exposé: see all windows of the current app |
| ⌃ ← / → | Move to the previous or next desktop (Space) |
If a shortcut doesn't work, check System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Mission Control.
Built-in tiling (macOS 15 Sequoia and later)
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| fn ⌃ ← / → | Left half / right half |
| fn ⌃ ↑ / ↓ | Top half / bottom half |
| fn ⌃ ⇧ ← | This window left, the previous one right |
| fn ⌃ F | Fill the screen without full-screen mode |
| fn ⌃ C | Center the window |
macOS stops at halves and quarters. For thirds, sixths and saved layouts you need a window manager. More on built-in split screen.
TidyFrame's default shortcuts
If you use TidyFrame, these work out of the box. You can change any of them in the app.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌃⌥ + ← → ↑ ↓ | Left, right, top or bottom half |
| ⌃⌥ + U I J K | Quarters: top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right |
| ⌃⌥ + D F G | Left, center or right third |
| ⌃⌥ + E R T | Left, center or right two thirds |
| ⌃⌥⌘ + U I O / J K L | Sixths, laid out like the screen |
| ⌃⌥ ↩ | Maximize |
| ⌃⌥ C | Center |
| ⌃⌥ ⌫ | Restore the window's previous size |
| ⌃⌥⌘ ← / → | Move to the previous or next display |
| ⌃⌥⌘ + 2 3 4 6 | Tile your most recent windows into halves, thirds, quarters or sixths |
| ⌃⌥⌘ T | Tile automatically, based on how many windows are open |
| Your choice, e.g. ⌃⌥⌘ 1 | Restore a saved workspace |
The quarter and sixth keys follow their position on the keyboard, so U is top left and K is bottom right. How workspaces work.
Questions
What is the shortcut to switch windows of the same app on Mac?
Press Command and the key above Tab (`). It cycles through the open windows of the current app.
What is the shortcut to snap a window to half the screen on Mac?
On macOS 15 Sequoia or later, press fn + Control + Left Arrow or Right Arrow. On older macOS you need a window manager or the green button menu.
How do I hide all other windows on Mac?
Press Option + Command + H to hide every app except the one you're using.
Can I change TidyFrame's shortcuts?
Yes. Every command's shortcut can be changed or turned off in TidyFrame, and the shortcut recorder suggests a free combination.
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