# How do I Alt-Tab between windows on a Mac like Windows? By Mahad Kazmi, developer of Superdock. Updated 3 September 2026. Short answer. Out of the box you cannot: Command-Tab cycles apps and Command-Backtick cycles the windows of the front app only. To move through every open window with thumbnails, most recent first, install a switcher. Superdock has one built in, and AltTab is a free, open-source alternative if you only want the switcher. ## What macOS gives you | Shortcut | What it cycles | Thumbnails | |---|---|---| | Command-Tab | Apps, one entry per app | No, icons only | |---|---|---| | Command-Backtick (Command-`) | Windows of the front app | No | |---|---|---| | Mission Control (Control-Up) | Shows everything, no cycling | Yes | |---|---|---| | App Exposé (Control-Down) | Front app's windows spread out | Yes | |---|---|---| ## Getting the Windows behaviour - Turn on Superdock's window switcher from the menu bar icon (Window Switcher) or in Settings, Behavior. - Hold Option and press Tab. Every window, from every app, appears with a thumbnail and title, most recent first. Tab moves forward, Shift-Tab back, arrows work, Escape cancels. - Release Option to bring the selected window forward, even if it was minimized. - Prefer Command-Tab? Pick it in the same setting and Superdock takes over Apple's app switcher while it runs. ## Chrome windows by profile The switcher labels each Chrome window with its profile, so a work window and a personal window are two distinct entries instead of two identical Chrome icons. That is the case that sends most Windows switchers looking for this in the first place. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is AltTab free? Yes. AltTab is open source and does only switching. Superdock's switcher is one part of a dock that also separates Chrome profiles, previews windows and runs on every display; the dock itself is free too. ### Do the thumbnails need Screen Recording? For live thumbnails, yes, and it is optional. Without it the switcher shows the app icon and window title. ### Can I switch between windows of the same app only? Yes: Command-Backtick still works, and the switcher can be filtered to the current app. Download free The dock is free. Chrome profile icons: 14 days free, then $7.99 once. macOS 14 or later. ## Continue reading - [Alt-Tab on Mac: the full guide](../blog/alt-tab-on-mac.html) - [Superdock vs AltTab](../compare/superdock-vs-alttab.html) - [Why does Command-Tab not bring back minimized windows?](why-cmd-tab-does-not-show-minimized-windows-mac.html) Source: https://superdock.app/answers/alt-tab-between-windows-on-mac.html Superdock: the dock is free to download; Chrome profile icons are $7.99 once after a 14-day trial. https://superdock.app/