Switch between windows of the same app on a Mac

Why it happens

On Windows, Alt-Tab shows every open window. On a Mac, Command-Tab shows apps instead, so two Safari windows count as one Safari. Moving between windows of one app has its own shortcut, Command-`.

How to fix it

1. Click any window of the app you want, so that app is in front.

2. Hold Command and press ` once. The next window of the same app comes to the front. Keep pressing ` to carry on through them, and hold Shift as well to go backwards.

3. Nothing happens, or your keyboard has a different key there? Open System Settings, click Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts…, then Keyboard, and look at Move focus to next window. It shows the keys your Mac uses, and you can double-click them to set your own.

   Keyboard›Keyboard Shortcuts…›Keyboard›Move focus to next window

Still not fixed?

1. Want to see all the app's windows at once and pick one? Press Control-Down Arrow for App Exposé. You can also turn on a three or four finger swipe down for it in Trackpad settings, under More Gestures.

   Trackpad›More Gestures›App Exposé

2. Minimized windows are skipped by Command-`. Click the app's Window menu in the menu bar and pick the window by name, or click its thumbnail at the right end of the Dock.

3. On many non-US keyboards, such as British or other European layouts, the ` key sits somewhere else, often next to the left Shift key. If you can't find a comfortable key, set your own in the shortcut from step 3.

4. If the shortcut still does nothing in every app after you've set it, restart your Mac and try again. If it still fails, contact Apple Support.