How to Alt Tab on Mac

Why do you need Alt Tab on a Mac?

The Alt + Tab shortcut allows you to easily change apps, which improves multitasking and speeds up window navigation, especially when you have multiple apps open. While MacBook devices dot have an Alt key, you can achieve similar results using the Command and Option keys.

The Option key on a Mac is the equivalent of Windows’ Alt key, while the Command key is often used for Mac keyboard shortcuts in macOS and apps. The former (Option or Alt key) serves two primary functions. First, it generates special characters. To type symbols like ©, hold Option and press another key. Secondly, it alters pre-existing menu commands or shortcuts (for instance, Option + Click on a menu frequently reveals hidden options). Option toggles between settings in many macOS dialogs. Holding it will cause new options to appear or menu items to change.

On the other hand, the core of Mac shortcuts is the Command key, which is active wherever a shortcut is indicated (for example, ⌘ + C to copy or ⌘ + V to paste). For routine tasks like opening files (⌘ + O), saving (⌘ + S), and terminating apps (⌘ + Q), macOS and the majority of Mac apps use commands.

A tip from our team: You'll save time and frustration if you can learn to tell these two keys apart early. Command is your go-to option for daily commands, while Option is your "secret" modifier for hidden features and symbols. You'll be able to complete tasks without using the mouse once you learn to rely on both of them.

Where is the Alt key on Mac?

Modern Mac devices don’t have an Alt key. Its equivalent is the Option (⌥) key on the Mac keyboard, unless you use an older Mac model. On your MacBook, you can find the Option key where the Alt key is located on Windows devices (in the lower-left corner of your keyboard) and on the opposite side of the space bar.

So, what can you do with the Alt key on your Mac?

Explore the Alt key’s common functions on a MacBook laptop or desktop computer below:

• Force quit frozen applications.
• Further adjust volume and brightness.
• Reveal hidden menu options like System Information.
• Reveal and modify menu options that aren’t immediately visible, like Save As.
• Quickly access Sound and Display preferences via the volume or brightness keys.
• Immediately empty the Trash folder without confirming the action in the dialog box.
• Manage files, like creating copies instead of moving files while dragging them to a new location.
• Manage windows by minimizing, maximizing, and closing multiple windows simultaneously.
• Access special characters and symbols that are not directly available on the Mac keyboard, like ∞.
• Use system shortcuts by using the Option key in combination with other keys or holding it down while clicking on menu options on the Mac screen.

A note from our experts: 

 

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How to use Alt + Tab on Mac

It’s important to remember that there is no direct replacement for Windows’ Alt + tab shortcut on Apple devices. Instead, you can achieve similar results using the Command + Tab shortcut. But, unlike the Windows shortcut that lets you switch between windows, Mac’s shortcut Command + Tab shortcut lets you swap different apps.

Here’s a breakdown of how to use Command + Tab on a Mac:

1. Hold down the Command key and press the Tab key to open the switcher.
2. To move to the right, continue holding down the Tab key. To move to the left, hold down the Command key and press the Shift + Tab keys.
3. Release the Command key when you land on the app you’re looking for.
4. Hold down the Command key with the app highlighted and press H to hide the app or Q to close or quit it.
5. Browse the app’s open windows by pressing Command key + ` (backtick).
6. To force‑quit unresponsive apps, press the Option  + Command +  Escape keys, choose the app, and hit Force Quit.

Use the Alt + Tab shortcut on a Mac with ease

The Alt-Tab works differently on Apple devices, not to be confused with Ctrl + Alt + Del on Mac. Not only do the shortcut keys look different, but they allow you to seamlessly and quickly navigate between apps instead of windows like on Windows devices. That said, by using the Command key for shortcuts, you can save time, multitask effortlessly, and stay productive without having to manually find apps when you need to switch.

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There’s so much more to explore on macOS, like what Mac’s Control Center is. Check out this helpful guide and more on the MacKeeper blog.