Why doesn't Cmd+Tab work for minimized windows on Mac?

macOS treats minimized windows as set aside intentionally. When you Cmd+Tab to an app with only minimized windows, macOS activates the app but doesn't restore the window. The native workaround is Cmd+Tab → hold Option → release Command. Command Reopen eliminates this extra step entirely — windows restore automatically when you switch apps.

What's the keyboard shortcut to restore a minimized window on Mac?

There is no direct keyboard shortcut to restore minimized windows on macOS. The workaround is: press Cmd+Tab to the app, keep Command held, press and hold Option, then release Command first. It only works for one window at a time and is easy to forget. Command Reopen makes this automatic — your minimized windows simply appear when you Cmd+Tab.

Is Command Reopen the same as Alt+Tab on Mac?

Command Reopen is different from Alt+Tab replacements. Alt+Tab alternatives (like AltTab or HyperSwitch) replace the entire app switcher with a new interface. Command Reopen keeps the native macOS Cmd+Tab behavior and simply fixes the minimized/closed window problem. It's lighter, requires no permissions, and doesn't change your workflow.

Why does Command+Tab not restore minimized windows on Mac?

macOS treats minimized windows as intentionally set aside. Command+Tab switches the active application, but it does not bring a minimized window back to the front by default. That is why it can feel like nothing happens. The built-in workaround is to keep holding Command, hold Option, then release Command. Command Reopen removes that extra step and restores minimized windows automatically.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to un-minimize a window on Mac?

The native workaround is Command+Tab to the app, hold Option, then release Command to restore a minimized window. It only handles one window at a time and is easy to forget. Command Reopen makes normal Command+Tab bring the window back without the extra shortcut sequence.

What's the difference between Hide (Cmd+H) and Minimize (Cmd+M)?

Hide removes all windows from view but keeps the app active in a way that Command+Tab can bring back. Minimize sends a window to the Dock; Command+Tab alone often activates the app without bringing that window back. Command Reopen fixes the minimized-window case so Command+Tab behaves the way many people expect.

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 Command Reopen open source?

Yes. The full source code is on GitHub. You can inspect it, fork it, or build and run it yourself for free. The Mac App Store version is the exact same code — purchasing it is a convenient way to install and a way to support continued development.

Cmd+Tab Not Working for Minimized Windows on Mac: Why & How to Fix

The Frustrating Reality

You’re working on your Mac, juggling multiple apps. You minimize a Safari window to check something in Slack, then try to get back to Safari with Cmd+Tab. The app menu appears at the top… but the window doesn’t. It’s still sitting in the Dock, minimized.

This is one of macOS’s most confusing behaviors, and it’s been this way since 2010. If you’ve ever wondered why Cmd+Tab doesn’t work for minimized windows, you’re not alone. Thousands of users search for solutions to this exact problem every month.

Why Doesn’t Cmd+Tab Restore Minimized Windows?

The short answer: macOS treats minimized windows as “intentionally set aside.” When you press Cmd+Tab, you’re switching the active application — not necessarily bringing a window to the front.

Here’s what happens under the hood:

You press Cmd+Tab → macOS activates the target application
The app becomes the “frontmost” app (you can see its menu bar)
If the app has visible windows, the most recent one comes forward
If all windows are minimized, nothing visible happens

Apple’s logic is that minimized windows are intentionally hidden, so they shouldn’t automatically reappear. But for most users, this feels like a bug.

The Hidden Workaround (That Most People Never Find)

There is a way to restore minimized windows with the keyboard, but it’s convoluted:

Hold Cmd+Tab to the app you want
While still holding Cmd, press and hold Option
Release Cmd first (while still holding Option)
The minimized window restores

This works for one window at a time. If you have multiple minimized windows in the same app, you’ll need to repeat this process for each one.

Most macOS users never discover this shortcut. It’s not shown in any menu, not documented in System Settings, and not intuitive at all.

Alternative Solutions

Option 1: Use Cmd+H (Hide) Instead of Minimize

Hiding an app (Cmd+H) behaves differently from minimizing (Cmd+M):

Hidden windows can be restored with a simple Cmd+Tab
All windows of the app are hidden/restored together
No special Option key workaround needed

The trade-off: you can’t hide individual windows — it’s all or nothing per app.

Option 2: Click the Dock Icon

Clicking an app’s Dock icon will restore minimized windows. But this defeats the purpose of keyboard-driven workflows.

Option 3: Use Mission Control

Press F3 (or Ctrl+Up on some keyboards) to open Mission Control, where you can see all windows including minimized ones. Click the window you want.

Option 4: Third-Party App Switchers

Apps like AltTab or HyperSwitch replace the native Cmd+Tab with a custom switcher that shows window previews including minimized ones. However, these require:

Accessibility permissions (can read all window content)
Screen Recording permissions (can capture your screen)
Learning a new interface and workflow

The Better Solution: Command Reopen

Command Reopen takes a different approach. Instead of replacing Cmd+Tab, it enhances the native behavior:

Automatically restores minimized windows when you Cmd+Tab to an app
Opens a new window when you Cmd+Tab to an app with no open windows
Requires no permissions — not Accessibility, not Screen Recording
Uses just 1.2 MB of memory

It works by monitoring app activation events and intelligently calling the openApplication API when needed. The result: Cmd+Tab works the way you intuitively expect it to.

Summary: Your Options

Method	Restores Minimized	Restores Closed	Keyboard Only	No Permissions
Native Cmd+Tab	❌	❌	✅	✅
Cmd+Tab + Option	✅	❌	✅	✅
Click Dock	✅	✅	❌	✅
Command Reopen	✅	✅	✅	✅
Third-party switchers	✅	❌	✅	❌

Try It Yourself

If Cmd+Tab not working for minimized windows is a daily frustration, give Command Reopen a try. It’s a one-time purchase on the Mac App Store, with the full source code available on GitHub for those who prefer to build it themselves.

Download Command Reopen from the Mac App Store

Have questions? Check out our FAQ for more details on how Command Reopen works.