alt tab program switch is missing in macOS Sonoma

Question

Toadovision2 Author

Level 1

12 points

alt tab program switch is missing in macOS Sonoma

I cannot alt-tab between programs in Sonama

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Sep 30, 2023 2:09 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

TracerB

Level 1

1 points

Oct 1, 2023 10:36 PM in response to Toadovision2

Can I ask if you are plugged into an external monitor when you were experiencing the failure of Cmd-Tab fast switching?

I've recently experienced a similar issue where the Cmd-Tab carousel doesn't appear but the actual Cmd-Tab switching is still working, there's just nothing to help you identify it is until you see it switch to something else after releasing.

I found that unplugging and replugging in the monitor (USB-C connected) must have forced a restart of the display drivers that then brought the carousel back on the screen when I hit Cmd-Tab.

I've flagged this with Apple Support, so I'd be interested if my experience and resolution is similar to yours so I can feed back.

Reply

Answer 2

Sep 30, 2023 2:20 PM in response to Toadovision2

To switch between applications on macOS, the keyboard shortcut is ⌘ - Tab (also known as Command-Tab).

Reply

Answer 3

TracerB

Level 1

1 points

Oct 2, 2023 2:18 PM in response to Toadovision2

Thanks.

reboots would correct it for me as well but when starting to do some root cause analysis I identified that also unplugging the external monitor and replugging it back in would correct the issue.

my assumption is for my issue that it is a problem with the display drivers and either rebooting or re-plugging the monitor into the MacBook causes a reload of the drivers and restores expected behaviour.

Can I ask if you have an external monitor and this happens to you again, try plugging it in and see if it restores behaviour for you. Can then try and help Apple isolate the cause.

Reply

Answer 4

Toadovision2 Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 1, 2023 1:50 PM in response to Toadovision2

I tried just about every Keyboard shortcut in System Settings but the actual cure was a reboot, this restored CMD-Tab program switch and CMD-Space for Spotlight

Reply

Answer 5

Toadovision2 Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 2, 2023 8:26 AM in response to TracerB

Hi,

I did not have the laptop plugged into a separate monitor when the keyboard shortcuts failed to work. I don't know if you saw my last update but a reboot restored the keyboard shortcuts. So it looks as if you need to do two reboots after updating to Sonoma.

Reply

Answer 6

Rudegar

Level 10

181,320 points

Oct 1, 2023 2:23 AM in response to Toadovision2

maybe read

https://9to5mac.com/2023/09/26/disable-click-wallpaper-reveal-desktop-macos-sonoma/

Reply

Answer 7

Toadovision2 Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 1, 2023 2:14 AM in response to Toadovision2

Another unwanted feature is if I click on the desktop all the windows fly away to reveal a blank desktop.

So:

I cannot CMD-Tab between apps

I cannot use CMD_Space for Spotlight

and clicking on the Desktop removes all the windows to show an empty desktop.

I'm dreading to think what other horrors await with Sonoma

Reply

Answer 8

Toadovision2 Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 1, 2023 4:55 AM in response to Rudegar

Thank you that sorted out the unwanted desktop reveal.

I just need to find a way to CMD-Tab between programs

and

CMD-Space to open spotlight

oh and the Magnet app and ScreenToLayers app to stay in the Notification area so I don't have to open them every single time. And if you have a way for Calculator to exist in widgets that would be superb.

Reply

Answer 9

Toadovision2 Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 3, 2023 2:24 AM in response to TracerB

I'm sorry but at the moment I don't have easy access to a monitor, they are all plugged into a workstation which is in use. I can try later and let you know.

However I have just found another Sonoma delight. Without using stage manager my HD and any connected drives have gone from my desktop. I do find change for the sake of change a needless waste of time. Oh well, I'm sure I'll sort it eventually.

Reply