How to Fix Command + not Switching Windows in macOS Ventura

The setting to "Move focus to next window" is checked in the MacOS keyboard shortcuts settings. Modifier keys are all set to defaults. See attached screenshot of both settings screens.

But when I try to use Command+` to switch between windows within an application, it does nothing. Instead, Control+Tab does it. That makes no sense, because I can't find anywhere that references that key combination. I originally thought it was a problem specific to Affinity designer, and have an ongoing thread on their forum. However, it is applying to all applications, including Safari, so it seems to be a global MacOS problem.

I am running MacOS 13.3.1 (a) on a 2021 14" MacBook Pro with Apple M1 chip.

Any suggestions welcome, thank you!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 13.3

Posted on May 19, 2023 8:34 PM

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amger

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Jun 4, 2024 8:30 PM

I had the same issue and this is the solution that worked for me:

Enable displays have separate spaces.
Log out and log back in.
Disable Stage Manager.
Disable displays have separate spaces.
Log out and log back in.

Command tilde (`) should now work when trying to switch between windows of the same app given that the keyboard shortcut is enabled.

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32 replies

dialabrain

Level 10

135,563 points

May 20, 2023 8:40 AM in response to jordancooperman

Well, I don't have the Affinity apps installed on the Macs I have with Ventura although I may install them. So I can't say what if any affect they may have. I do know what I posted before is how Ventura & Monterey behave. I can check Big Sur later but it seems to me the shortcuts haven't changed.

dialabrain

Level 10

135,563 points

May 20, 2023 9:13 AM in response to dialabrain

dialabrain wrote:

FWIW, I just checked a Catalina install and they are the same. So I don't know when "Command+`" may have switched tabs within apps if ever.

Oops, should have been switched windows, not "switched tabs".

May 20, 2023 9:17 AM in response to VikingOSX

Yeah, see this is what used to work for me. But all of a sudden it stopped working! It's such a minor annoyance, I much prefer the ⌘+` to Control+`. I'm not sure how to test if something is wrong and also don't understand why other users report this as normal behavior, I've never experienced it until recently.

dialabrain

Level 10

135,563 points

May 20, 2023 9:19 AM in response to VikingOSX

VikingOSX wrote:

If those two Windows are tabs in one panel, that keystroke switches between the tabs.

Really? That's not what happens in Monterey 12.6.6 for me. I guess I need to install the Affinity apps in Ventura.

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,164 points

May 20, 2023 10:28 AM in response to dialabrain

Booted up the Core i7 iMac running Monterey 12.6.6 with Affinity Desigern 2.1 installed. With two tabs open on different images, the ⌘+` switches between the tabs. Using wired extended Apple Aluminum keyboard.

dialabrain

Level 10

135,563 points

May 20, 2023 10:29 AM in response to Barney-15E

I think I'm going to give up on trying to figure this out. Control+Tab switches tabs for me going back to High Sierra. Including the Finder, Firefox and Safari. Hopefully everything will get resolved.

Nov 29, 2023 12:34 AM in response to LordThistle

Thanks for confirming LordThistle. Weird for me that it works whenever that option is turned on.

A little bit annoying that it’s a trade-off losing that keyboard shortcut now that I prefer not to have ”separate spaces”.

Although I have been referring to this community for as long as I can remember, it’s my first time participating here. Does anyone know if the guys from Apple actively look here?

May 19, 2023 9:14 PM in response to Barney-15E

Interesting thought, but doesn't do anything :(

May 20, 2023 9:20 AM in response to jordancooperman

It's also listed as a default option for Keyboard Shortcuts > Keyboard, see attached screenshot. That makes me think additionally that something isn't working properly.

Oct 2, 2023 3:54 AM in response to jordancooperman

My shortcut just stopped working after the Sonoma update. I don’t use Affinity and the checkbox in settings is on. Just can’t switch app windows with a shortcut anymore 😢

macbook pro, apple m1 pro

AviramS

Level 1

8 points

Oct 2, 2023 9:45 AM in response to kasiapolus

Mine stopped working after the Sonoma update as well.

ku4hx

Level 7

23,688 points

Oct 10, 2023 2:29 AM in response to jordancooperman

The only use I've ever had for Command + was to zoom in. The companion command to zoom out is Command -

Conflicts maybe???

Relo4d

Level 1

20 points

Oct 13, 2023 1:37 AM in response to Relo4d

False alarm, It looks like randomly turns off... Have any of you experienced it?

JLum

Level 1

8 points

Oct 13, 2023 5:56 PM in response to kasiapolus

Same here. Just updated to Sonoma and now I'm scouring the web to find an answer. Annoying since its one of my most used shortcuts.

Nov 28, 2023 11:08 PM in response to johnnynottaken

No, it does not depend on that option of the Displays. My machine has that option enabled and the bug occurs.

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How to Fix Command + not Switching Windows in macOS Ventura