Changing macOS app launching behavior to remember click order

Question

Changing macOS app launching behavior to remember click order

I frequently run into this issue when launching applications on my computer.

I will double click to launch any application, since there is a delay I start doing something else.

One or two seconds later the application opens and moves focus/attention to the front of the screen.

I can't really describe it well, but basically I would like the OS to remember the order of clicks.

Current behavior is something like:

click to launch xcode
click to an already-open messages conversation
Xcode opens
Now I'm responding to a text in xcode

Ideal behavior:

click to launch xcode
click to an already-open messages conversation
Xcode opens in background
I'm still responding to my text

If I don't click on anything, xcode can still open on top.

I get that this is a 'design' change and people are afraid of new default behavior but please give us a setting to toggle this at the very least.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: macOS app launching behavior

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Aug 21, 2025 10:48 AM

Answer 1

Aug 21, 2025 10:54 AM in response to Buquicchionis

To send feedback to Apple, you can do that here. They will not see your post on this Support Site made up of users just like you. Apple does provide moderation to make sure posts follow the Terms of Use, but they do not respond to the posts.

Product Feedback - Apple

Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

208,430 points

Aug 21, 2025 10:51 AM in response to Buquicchionis

Buquicchionis wrote:

1. I frequently run into this issue when launching applications on my computer.

I will double click to launch any application, since there is a delay I start doing something else.

One or two seconds later the application opens and moves focus/attention to the front of the screen.

I get that this is a 'design' change and people are afraid of new default behavior but please give us a setting to toggle this at the very least.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.6

seems normal...

To be proactive you can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

The current stable release of Sequoia including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 15.6.1

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support