If you regularly work with multiple documents or windows open in the same app on your Mac like Finder, Safari, Word, or Preview, switching between them efficiently can save you a lot of time. While many users rely on the mouse or Mission Control, macOS has a built-in keyboard shortcut that makes this effortless.
Here’s how it works…
The keyboard shortcut you need: ⌘ + `
To switch between windows within the same application:
- Make sure the app is active.
- Press Command (⌘) + ` (the backtick key, usually located above the Tab key).
- Each press cycles you through the app’s open windows.
To move in the opposite direction, use:
⌘ + Shift + `
This works in most macOS apps, including Finder, Safari, Notes, Preview, Pages, and many third-party applications.
How this is different from ⌘ + Tab
It’s easy to confuse this shortcut with ⌘ + Tab, but they do different things:
- ⌘ + Tab → Switches between different apps
- ⌘ + ` → Switches between windows within the same app
Knowing both shortcuts gives you full control over app and window navigation.
When this shortcut is especially useful
- Switching between multiple Finder windows
- Jumping between several documents in Word or Pages
- Managing multiple browser windows
- Comparing files side by side
- Working faster without lifting your hands from the keyboard
What if ⌘ + ` doesn’t work?
If the shortcut doesn’t seem to work:
- Make sure the app has multiple windows open (tabs don’t count)
- Check System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts to ensure the shortcut hasn’t been reassigned
- Some apps override or disable this shortcut
Final Tip
Once you build the habit, ⌘ + ` becomes one of those “can’t-live-without-it” Mac shortcuts. It’s fast, simple, and a huge productivity boost, especially if you prefer keyboard navigation over the mouse.