Window resizing & repositioning Mac Mini M1

Question

Level 1

15 points

Window resizing & repositioning Mac Mini M1

Mac Mini M1 with either Big Sur or Monterey (same problem both OS)

Sorry for being long winded ....

I like single app mode. I don't like seeing the other open apps in the background. I use an app switcher for this, but for the sake of discussion (and to rule out the app switcher) I'll use the "hide others" shortcut <opt> <cmd> H to acquire single app view mode.

The problem ... if I have 3 apps open with different window sizes and different positions on screen, and I bring App 1 to the forefront then hit the "hide others" shortcut, Apps 2 & 3 disappear from the screen as expected, then when I hit sleep (or lock screen will produce the same outcome) and wait a few seconds, then wake the MM up with any keyboard key, the App #1 window that was in the forefront will be in the same location and size however, Apps 2 & 3 will have their screens resized and repositioned to the lower left hand of the screen. This happens repeatedly. However, if all 3 apps are not hidden when sleep is initiated, they all come back where they left off. This problem does NOT happen on an i5 or i7 Mac. Just the M1. Does anybody have a solution for this ??? From my experiments it is a sleep/wake issue on the MM M1 with an external monitor. I have tried a couple monitors same issue. I have not had access to try this on an M1 laptop.

I could have an acceptable work around IF I could find a way to bring the hidden apps back in view, outside of pointing and selecting them in the dock? Is there any way to do this by key command (unhide all open apps) ??? I cannot find one?

Posted on Oct 26, 2021 12:20 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Beacher3 Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 26, 2021 9:15 AM in response to Beacher3

Answering my own question.

I have found a solution. In my case as described above ... you first have to unhide all the hidden apps before going to sleep. In any application under the application's drop down window there is and option "show all". This unhides all the hidden apps but there is no keyboard shortcut for it. So I made one using the "Keyboard Shortcuts" in System Preferences. Next is to sleep the computer, which I made a shortcut for also. So by hitting those two keys in succession the M1 MM will go to sleep and all the open application windows will come back in the same place they were left. To make it easier, I created a Macro in "Keyboard Maestro" (a beautiful must have app for me) that will do all this in one keystroke. I haven't been able to check this problem on a M1 laptop to see if it is the same as it is with the MM but I do know this condition does not happen on the i5 and i7 processors on the MM's. All this is a non issue of course, if you are not hiding apps and using a single app mode as I do.

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 26, 2021 10:13 AM in response to Beacher3

Hello, Beacher3.

I understand you are having issues with window resizing and app focus on your Mac.

I suggest you take a good look at Mission Control and using multiple desktops.

You can use multiple desktops in Mission Control to maximize your efficiency and control the clutter on the desktop before you.

These Apple Support documents will get you started:

Work in multiple spaces on Mac - Apple Support

Use Mission Control on your Mac - Apple Support

When using desktops in Mission Control, the key to maximizing your efficiency and controlling the clutter from desktop to desktop is to assign each of your applications to a particular desktop space. Once you grasp this, and especially when combined with trackpad gestures, spaces and Mission Control become awesome productivity tools.

When using Mission Control, hiding apps becomes completely unnecessary, and application windows maintain their positions and sizes. And when restarting your Mac, apps can reopen and will retain their desktop locations and open windows.

Multiple monitors are not required for this.

Reply

Answer 3

Beacher3 Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 26, 2021 10:54 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

Thank you D.I.J.

I have never thought of doing things that way but I see your point. On your suggestion, I have set up a few desktops with a few different apps assigned one each to a different desktop. I see how you can switch between the apps by switching between the desktops. Is there any way to get to each desktop instantly without the desktop(s) sliding right to left across the screen when you switch to them? I am getting dizzy from it already. If I have one beef about this method, that would be it, but the concept is very good and yes everything survives sleep mode when using alternate desktops. When using an application switcher, the switch to a different app is instant, no sliding screens (aka desktops). I am so used to that method.

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 26, 2021 11:15 AM in response to Beacher3

You can use the Mac built in app switch keystroke for this: ⌘-Tab.

Also, in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts, select Mission Control to the left and you can set something like Control-1 (⌃1), Control-2 (⌃2) or Control-3 (⌃3) shortcuts to take you directly to those (and other) desktops.

Reply

Window resizing & repositioning Mac Mini M1

Similar questions