alt-tab-macos brings the power of Windows' "alt-tab" window switcher to macOS.
Alternatively, you can use homebrew: brew cask install alt-tab
From macOS 10.12 to 10.15
In addition to English, the app is currently available in:
- Deutsch
- Español
- Français
- Italiano
- Suomi
- Türkçe
- 中文 (简体)
- 中文 (繁体)
- 日本語
- 한국어
Contribute your own language easily!
- Press
⌥ option+⇥ tabto shows the thumbnails. - Hold
⌥ optionand press⇥ tabto select the next thumbnail. - Hold
⌥ optionand press⇧ shift+⇥ tabto select the previous thumbnail. - Release
⌥ optionto switch focus to the window.
Extra:
- You hover and click with the
🖱️ mouse. - You cycle with
⇦ left arrowand⇨ right arrow. - You can cancel with
⎋ escape.
- Change the shortcut key, switch to a Windows theme and more, using the Preferences window.
- If you like scriptable/portable configuration, you can edit
~/Library/Preferences/alt-tab-macos.json.
- CONTRIBUTING.md gives an overview of the project for newcomers who want to contribute.
- Come discuss with us on the Discord server.
- Suggest an enhancement or discuss an issue on github. You can also use the feedback form within the app.
Our lovely contributors:
Before building my own app, I looked around at similar apps. However, none was completely satisfactory so I rolled my own. Also, the almost-good-enough apps are not open-source.
| Alternative | Differences |
|---|---|
| HyperSwitch and HyperDock | Closed-source. Thumbnails are too small. App icon is on top of the thumbnail |
| WindowSwitcher | 7$. Thumbnails are small and blurry. App icon is on top of the thumbnail |
| Switch | Open Source. Thumbnails are small. Very little customization. Latest release is from 2016 |
| Witch and Context | 10-15$. Closed-source. Focus on text. No thumbnails |
| Built-in MissionControl | No keyboard support |
⌘ command + ⇥ tab |
Only shows apps, not windows (note: can press down to see window of selected app) |
⌘ command + ` |
Cycles through tabs and windows, but only of the same app. Only cycling, no direct access |
