Command + Tilde not cycling through Safari windows after macOS Sequoia update

Question

Level 1

18 points

Command + Tilde not cycling through Safari windows after macOS Sequoia update

Hi everyone,

After updating to macOS Sequoia 15.3 with Safari 18.3, I noticed that the Command + ` shortcut (move focus to the next window) stopped working properly only in Safari.

Here’s the issue:

• If I have multiple Safari windows open, each with multiple tabs, the shortcut works fine.

• However, if any window has only a single tab, the focus gets stuck when it reaches that window and won’t cycle further.

Interestingly, the Command + Shift + ` (reverse order) shortcut works as expected without issues.

The problem occurs specifically when using the input sources Brazilian or US International. If I switch to the standard U.S. input source, the shortcut works normally. I suspect this might be related to the way accent input is handled by these keyboard sources (which is essential for typing in Portuguese).

Here are the things I’ve already tried without success:

• Reassigning the shortcut in keyboard preferences (when assigning other shortcut, it works ok, but when assigning cmd + ` back the issue persists)

• Enabling/disabling profiles in Safari (this issue used to happen with profiles enabled in the past but was seemingly fixed in a previous update)

• Testing with a new user account on macOS (same behavior)

• Using private browsing windows

• Disabling JavaScript

None of these steps have resolved the issue.

Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 3, 2025 5:11 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 28, 2025 8:44 AM in response to Esfera13

Let me add that the problem with Safari disappears when Stage Manager is ON.

So:

stage manager ON: no problem
stage manager OFF: Command+Tilde not cycling

Anyone can confirm this?

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Answer 2

rinsai

Level 1

14 points

Mar 6, 2025 4:43 AM in response to Esfera13

My keyboard layout mappings for the key tilde and backquote (~ `) were swapped with § and ± after updating to Sequoia 15.3. It probably changed from ANSI to ISO for some reason and redoing Keyboard Assistant didn't help. Although it doesn't fully makes sense since the QMK tool said I was hitting backquote.. Anyway, following this fixed my problem: How To Fix Keyboard Type Problems - Apple Community

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Answer 3

May 21, 2025 7:33 AM in response to goblin89

@goblin89: that's bizarre: for me the problem occurs only with Stage Manager OFF

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Answer 4

Apr 14, 2025 4:44 AM in response to goblin89

Does the same happen if Stage Manager is off?

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Answer 5

Feb 3, 2025 6:30 AM in response to Esfera13

I use the US layout, and the Portuguese layout. I have no problems with Command-` using the US layout, regardless of how many windows, or how many tabs in each window.

In the Portuguese layout, the accent characters do not work for this sort of shortcuts.

I added the Brazilian layout as a test, and I see the same thing that you do. When a Safari window has only one tab, Command-` does not work anymore.

FWIW, this seems restricted to Safari. I tried in Firefox, and also in Mail, and there were no issues there.

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Answer 6

May 21, 2025 7:35 AM in response to claudiodsf2

I'd like to add that I made a test (on Sequoia 15.5) creating a second user with factory settings: in this case the bug is not present.

So, it looks like this might be related to some corrupted Safari setting somewhere.

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Answer 7

goblin89

Level 1

28 points

Apr 14, 2025 4:34 AM in response to Esfera13

Similar situation with Finder windows (noticed because I tend to have lots of those, but probably affects all apps) on 15.4 with Stage Manager on.

Cmd-tilde doesn’t cycle, it only goes one way. I have to hit both Cmd-tilde and Shift-Cmd-tilde multiple times.
Some windows are unreachable; even once I created a stage manager window group and put all Finder windows in it, Cmd-tilde and Shift-Cmd-tilde would only hit two of them and the rest stay in background unfocused.

Reproduction screencast for both of the above issues (see keyboard for what I press):

Incredibly annoying for keyboard-oriented workflow.

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Answer 8

goblin89

Level 1

28 points

May 21, 2025 8:28 AM in response to claudiodsf2

I cannot speak about the problem you are observing. I posted a screencast that shows the problem I am observing in action in this thread back in April. Maybe you can try recording one to make it easier to explain. Do not forget to make it visible which keys you press.

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Answer 9

Feb 6, 2025 5:45 AM in response to Esfera13

Same here. Stopped working for me after updating to Sequoia 15.3. The Window Focus doesn't work if the 2nd (or 1st) window only has one tab.

Using the German and US Layout on an external keyboard (Logitech MX Keys). The Tilda-Key above the TAB-Key is the perfect key for operations like this. The US layout works as expected but the German layout is not working anymore. Despite it correctly being displayed in the settings (screenshot attached).

Extremely frustrating.

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