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.

How to Restore Minimized Windows on Mac: Complete Keyboard Shortcut Guide

The Essential Window Management Shortcuts

Efficient window management is key to productivity on macOS. While the operating system offers powerful keyboard shortcuts, many users only know the basics. This guide covers everything you need to know about minimizing, restoring, hiding, and switching between windows on your Mac.

Minimizing Windows

Minimize the Active Window

Shortcut: Cmd + M
What it does: Sends the current window to the Dock

Pro tip: You can minimize using the scale effect (default) or the genie effect. Change this in System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Minimize windows using.

Minimize All Windows of an App

Shortcut: Option + Cmd + M
What it does: Minimizes every window of the current application

Hiding vs. Minimizing

Many macOS users don’t realize there’s a crucial difference between hiding and minimizing:

Hide the Current App

Shortcut: Cmd + H
What it does: Hides all windows of the active app
Restore: Simply Cmd+Tab back to the app — all windows reappear

Hide Other Apps

Shortcut: Option + Cmd + H
What it does: Hides all apps except the current one
Use case: Focus mode — clear everything except what you’re working on

Key Difference

Action	Windows Location	Cmd+Tab Restore	Individual Window Control
Minimize (Cmd+M)	Dock	Requires Option key	Yes — per window
Hide (Cmd+H)	Hidden	Automatic	No — all windows together

Restoring Minimized Windows

Here’s where macOS gets confusing. There are three ways to restore a minimized window:

Method 1: Click the Dock Icon

The most obvious method — click the app icon in the Dock, and minimized windows restore in order (most recent first).

Method 2: The Hidden Keyboard Shortcut

Shortcut: Cmd + Tab → hold Option → release Cmd first
What it does: Restores one minimized window
Limitation: Only works for one window at a time

This shortcut is notoriously hard to discover. Apple doesn’t show it in any menu, and it’s not documented in System Settings.

Method 3: Mission Control

Press F3 (or Ctrl + Up on some keyboards)
Locate your minimized window (appears at the bottom)
Click to restore

Switching Between Windows

Switch Between Apps

Shortcut: Cmd + Tab
Navigation: Keep holding Cmd, press Tab to move forward, press ~ (tilde) to move backward
Behavior: Activates the app but may not restore minimized windows

Switch Between Windows of the Same App

Shortcut: Cmd + ` (backtick)
What it does: Cycles through open windows of the current application
Note: Does not include minimized windows

Show All Windows of Current App

Shortcut: Ctrl + Down (on some keyboards)
Alternative: F3 then select the app
What it does: Displays all windows of the active app using Mission Control

Advanced Window Management

Full Screen Toggle

Shortcut: Ctrl + Cmd + F
What it does: Enters or exits full-screen mode for the current window

Zoom Window

Shortcut: Option + Cmd + =
What it does: Maximizes the window (not full-screen, but fills the display)

Move Window to Next/Previous Display

Shortcut: Ctrl + Option + Cmd + → or ←
Requirement: Multiple monitors connected

Center Window

Shortcut: (None built-in — requires third-party tools like Rectangle or Magnet)

The Problem with Native Shortcuts

While macOS offers many window management shortcuts, there’s a gap in the workflow:

Minimizing is easy — just press Cmd+M
Restoring is hard — requires clicking the Dock or using the awkward Option-key workaround
Cmd+Tab behavior is inconsistent — works for hidden apps but not minimized windows

This creates a productivity friction point. Users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows often find themselves reaching for the mouse just to restore a window.

Streamlining Your Workflow

Option 1: Use Hide Instead of Minimize

If you primarily use keyboard shortcuts, consider using Cmd+H (Hide) instead of Cmd+M (Minimize). Hidden apps restore seamlessly with Cmd+Tab.

Trade-off: You lose the ability to hide individual windows — hiding affects all windows of that app.

Option 2: Command Reopen

Command Reopen eliminates the friction by making Cmd+Tab work consistently:

Minimized windows restore automatically when you Cmd+Tab to the app
Closed apps get a new window when you switch to them
No special shortcuts to remember
No permissions required

The result: your muscle memory for Cmd+Tab just works, regardless of whether windows are minimized or closed.

Quick Reference Card

Essential Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Minimize window	Cmd + M
Minimize all windows (app)	Option + Cmd + M
Hide app	Cmd + H
Hide other apps	Option + Cmd + H
Switch apps forward	Cmd + Tab
Switch apps backward	Cmd + Shift + Tab
Switch windows (same app)	Cmd + `
Restore minimized*	Cmd+Tab → hold Option → release Cmd

*Requires specific timing and only works for one window

Alternative Methods

Method	How
Click Dock	Click the app icon
Mission Control	F3 or Ctrl+Up, then select window
App Exposé	Ctrl+Down (shows all windows of current app)

Conclusion

Mastering macOS window management shortcuts can significantly boost your productivity. The key is understanding the difference between hiding and minimizing, and choosing the approach that fits your workflow.

If you find the native minimized window behavior frustrating, tools like Command Reopen can bridge the gap — making Cmd+Tab work the way you intuitively expect it to.

Fix Cmd+Tab for Minimized Windows →