Stage Manager appears to have some utility, but I cannot figure out what it is. I use CMD-tab to toggle between applications rather quickly. I can get used to stage manager, but it only allows me to see the four most recent applications I have open.

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Level 1

4 points

Stage Manager appears to have some utility, but I cannot figure out what it is. I use CMD-tab to toggle between applications rather quickly. I can get used to stage manager, but it only allows me to see the four most recent applications I have open.

I have read the apple help article for how to use Stage Manager but am failing to see any meaningful advantage in efficiency, especially since I am thoroughly familiar and proficient with toggling between applications with the CMD-tab functionality.

Can anyone explain why this should supplant such a simple function in daily use?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.1

Posted on Jan 17, 2023 12:16 PM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

136,055 points

Feb 4, 2023 12:49 PM in response to unordinary

unordinary wrote:

Can anyone explain why this should supplant such a simple function in daily use?

FWIW, it's not meant to supplant using cmd-tab. It's an alternative method of organizing apps. I assume you see four because of your screen size. I see six on 27" screens.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

136,055 points

Feb 4, 2023 1:30 PM in response to unordinary

You're welcome. It's certainly true if you prefer using the keyboard it has no advantage. Cmd-tab doesn't work with Stage Manager enabled.

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Answer 3

unordinary Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 4, 2023 1:27 PM in response to dialabrain

Thank you for that information (and you are probably correct in your guess about my 16" laptop screen size).

I did not mean to suggest that Stage Manager was literally intended to supplant cmd-tab, only that it seems like it is a mostly redundant capability with no apparent advantage for people who prefer or are comfortable with non-mouse related changes between applications.

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