There are various key combinations for app and window management under macOS on the Apple Mac. For example, you can change the active programs with cmd + tab or jump to the next tab in the same app window with control + tab. But what if you have several windows of an app open - for example several Word or Pages documents, several Excel or Numbers spreadsheets and the like? There is also a shortcut on the Mac keyboard to switch between the different program windows of one and the same application.
Chapter in this post:
QWERTY key combination for switching windows of an app
If you prefer to use the keyboard and a shortcut instead of the mouse and the macOS Dock to jump to the next Safari window, Word document or Excel spreadsheet, then that is of course possible. On the QWERTZ keyboard for the German language region you press this key combination: command + <. "<" means the key to the right of the left shift key.
QWERTY key combination for switching windows of an app
It may be a different key combination on keyboards with a different layout. Because, for example, in the UK layout of the QWERTY keyboard, < is the second assignment on the comma key (,) – and > is the second assignment on the period key (.). Either one of these keys or the key above the tablature key in combination with command must be pressed here. This is definitely the case if you use a US QWERTY keyboard. Because this combination is valid for switching app windows: command + `. The key with "`" and "~" is in the top left above the Tab key.
Do you use a completely different layout or a different language setting on the Mac and know a different key combination for changing the window of an app? Then please leave a comment. So here we can create a collection for different keyboard layouts and regions. I look forward to your input!
More articles on window management on the Apple Mac
- Mac tip: switch tabs with a keyboard shortcut
- Mac: Hide all windows of an app using a keyboard shortcut
- Mac Tip: When apps don't remember the size and position of their windows
- Magnet app for those switching from PC to Mac
- The best window managers for Mac
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
Hello Johannes,
I have a new Macbook with a German keyboard. Unfortunately, switching between the windows in an application (Excell, Chrome) with the QWERTY key combination Command + < no longer works. The other shortcuts you suggested don't work either.
Do you have any idea how I can set this up again?
Regards
Christine
Hello Christine,
If you use an external keyboard, the ^ and < keys may be swapped. Here's the solution.
If the problem also or exclusively occurs with the built-in keyboard, I could imagine that some app claims the respective key combination for itself and therefore blocks the function. So you could use the key combination e.g. For example, try it with several Safari windows (without other apps open) and see if it works there. If this is the case, you would have to try all the other apps to find out which one is blocking the shortcut.
Otherwise, I can't think of a proper solution at the moment. If nothing works, you could use a window manager as a workaround - or the multi-tool 1 piece, with which z. B. double-pressing the cmd, option or control key can trigger individual window commands.
Best regards
John
Hi John,
I have now found a solution. Here you can set the shortcut for changing windows in an application:
System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Key Commands -> Keyboard -> Focus in next window
Regards
Christine
Hello Christine,
Glad you found a solution :)
This is a pretty deep menu, you have to figure it out first!
Best regards
John
Thank you, Christine!
This no longer worked for me under Sonoma. I remembered the command as “Next Window,” but it no longer exists. I thought Apple had completely erased it, and it no longer appears in their instructions.
It may be that I had set up the command a few OS versions before with the Shortcuts.app or using the system's own tool, but I wouldn't have found it here. You made my day! :-D
Thank you, Ollie
PS: The shift version for backwards then works automatically. :-)
Hallo,
For me it just doesn't work in Safari anymore since I have version 17 of Safari (or Sonoma). It works in other apps except Safari.