Can't switch between windows by clicking on them, since Tahoe upgrade

Since the upgrade to Tahoe, I can no longer consistently switch between windows by just clicking on them.


For example right now I have Firefox and iterm2 running, Firefox is in the foreground but the window doesn’t fill my screen so I can see my terminal window behind it.

If I click on the part of the terminal window I can see, previously that would bring that window to the foreground and my mouse/keyboard input would go to that window immediately (like on any other desktop operating system).

Instead, what seems to happen is that the window I clicked is not brought to the foreground (it looks like nothing happens), but my keyboard/mouse input no longer seems to go to the foreground window OR the window I clicked, I basically can’t click or type anything in either of the windows.


The only way I’ve found to switch the input back to any window is to use CMD+Tab to switch window, or use Contexts (https://contexts.co) to switch windows, both of which seem to reset the active focus back to a real window correctly and I can type/click again.


Is Tahoe just broken? Or is there some way to identify the cause of this and fix it so I can switch windows by clicking on them, like I've done for the last 20 years?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Dec 26, 2025 9:25 AM

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5 replies

Dec 26, 2025 10:08 AM in response to andrewbeveridge

CleanMyMac aka BrickMyMac


CleanMyMac , aka “ BrickMyMac


Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster. 


Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a percentage on each sale. 


What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase


To put the Third Party Disk Cleaner / Optimizer in context and the damages it may have or has already done.


This type of applications can or will Muck Up your User Account ( Home Folder ) of this machine.


It does not touch the Operating System itself unless you consider your User Account ( Home Folder ) as part of the Operating System.


The Operating System may be  hosed



Commercial VPNs 


They may not be what one believes they are doing for the computer and what they actually are doing behind the scenes and unbeknownst to the user ( you ) 


They may also reduce your Internet Speeds by upwards of 30% 


https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29


VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community

Dec 26, 2025 10:14 AM in response to andrewbeveridge

Tahoe is fine, and clicking on a background window makes it active for me as it always has. It’s an issue with your system, most likely due to 3rd party software/extensions.


See if the problem is present when you boot in safe mode, which disables 3rd party extensions and performs some system cleanup.

 

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support


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Can't switch between windows by clicking on them, since Tahoe upgrade

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