Cmd+Tab, the way it should work.
Command Reopen restores minimized windows and reopens closed ones when you switch apps — no Accessibility, no Screen Recording.
2-day free trial · $9.99 one-time
4 MB · macOS 13.0+ · Zero permissions · Open source
Why Command Reopen
Does one thing. Perfectly.
Cmd+Tab to any app and the window comes back — minimized or closed. It enhances the native switcher instead of replacing it, so your muscle memory stays exactly the same.
Zero permissions. Zero trust issues.
No Accessibility. No Screen Recording. Nothing to grant — so it works even on company-managed Macs where IT blocks those permissions.
Open source. Auditable by anyone.
Every line is on GitHub — inspect it, fork it, or build it yourself. The App Store version is the same code; buying it funds development.
FAQ
Why doesn't Cmd+Tab restore minimized windows on Mac?
macOS treats minimized windows as intentionally set aside — Cmd+Tab activates the app but leaves the window in the Dock. There's no direct shortcut to bring it back; the only native workaround is Cmd+Tab to the app, keep holding Command, press Option, then release Command first — one window at a time, and easy to forget. Command Reopen removes the extra step entirely: windows restore automatically when you switch apps.
How much does Command Reopen cost?
Command Reopen is $9.99 one-time after a 2-day free trial. A $5.99/year option is also available on the App Store; both unlock the same full app.
Why not just use AltTab or TabLift? They're free.
They are — and they're good. But both need Accessibility permission to control your windows, and AltTab also needs Screen Recording for thumbnails. Many company-managed Macs block those permissions outright, and plenty of people prefer not to grant them. Command Reopen uses none: it's a sandboxed App Store app that enhances the native Cmd+Tab instead of replacing it. If you want window thumbnails, use AltTab. If you want Cmd+Tab to just work, that's us.
Does Command Reopen need Accessibility or Screen Recording permissions?
No. Command Reopen does not require Accessibility, Screen Recording, or any other extra permissions. That is different from many app switcher replacements that need broad system access.
Can Command Reopen reopen windows that were closed, not just minimized?
Yes. When you Cmd+Tab to an app that has no open windows at all, Command Reopen automatically opens a new window for it. This goes beyond what most switcher tools do — they handle minimized windows, but not the closed-window case.
Is there a free version?
Yes. Command Reopen is open source, and a free direct-download build is on GitHub — it runs one version behind the App Store release and doesn't auto-update. The App Store version is the exact same code, notarized and sandboxed, with automatic updates — and buying it is what funds development.
From the developer
Hi, I'm chenfeng. I build small, focused Mac apps — tools that do one thing well and ask for as few permissions as possible. Ideally none. Command Reopen is sandboxed with public source, so you can audit exactly what it does — and what it doesn't.