How to switch apps on a Mac with the trackpad, not Command-Tab

macOS has no trackpad gesture that steps through apps like Command-Tab does. The built-in trackpad options are Mission Control (swipe up with three or four fingers and click a window), swiping sideways between full-screen apps and desktops, and the Dock. Slidr adds the missing one: slide a finger along the top edge of the trackpad to move through the real Command-Tab app switcher, then lift to switch.

What's built into macOS?

Apple's Multi-Touch gestures page lists the app and window gestures:

• Mission Control: swipe up with four fingers to see everything that's open, then click the window you want.

• App Exposé: swipe down with four fingers to see all windows of the app you're using.

• Swipe between full-screen apps: swipe left or right with four fingers to move between desktops and full-screen apps.

• Show desktop: spread your thumb and three fingers apart.

Apple notes that in some versions of macOS these use three fingers instead of four, and Trackpad settings let you choose. If a gesture doesn't work, check System Settings, Trackpad, More Gestures.

Then the keyboard ones, from Apple's shortcuts list: Command-Tab switches to the next most recently used app, Command-Grave accent (usually the key above Tab) switches between windows of the current app, and Control-Up Arrow opens Mission Control.

Why isn't Mission Control enough?

Mission Control is great for finding a window. It's slow for flipping between two or three apps you use constantly. You swipe up, scan a screen full of thumbnails, aim, and click. Every time.

The full-screen swipe is fast, but only if your apps are in full screen or spread across desktops. If you work with ordinary windows on one desktop, the sideways swipe just moves you to an empty one.

The Dock works, but it means a trip to the bottom of the screen and a target that moves as apps open and close.

Command-Tab is the fastest of all, because it keeps the most recent apps first. The only problem is it needs the keyboard, which isn't ideal when you're leaning back, using a Magic Trackpad at a desk, or holding something in your other hand.

How does switching apps from the trackpad edge work?

Slidr is a menu bar app for macOS 12 or later. In version 1.4 its top edge is set to Switch Apps by default:

1. Put one finger at the top of the trackpad.

2. Glide left or right along the edge. The macOS app switcher opens and moves one app per step, with a haptic tick for each on a Force Touch trackpad.

3. Lift your finger to switch to the highlighted app.

It drives the real macOS app switcher, so the order is exactly what Command-Tab shows, most recent first. Your muscle memory carries straight over: one short slide is "back to the last app".

Because it's one finger along the edge, it doesn't interfere with Mission Control, App Exposé or the full-screen swipe. They use three or four fingers and keep working as before.

Can the top edge do anything else?

Yes. From the Slidr icon in the menu bar you can change the top edge to Scrub Video, Keyboard Backlight, Media or Off. Scrub Video moves 5 seconds per tick with a timestamp overlay and seeks when you lift. It works with Music, Spotify, IINA and video in Safari and Chrome tabs, through macOS Now Playing. Media means double-tap to play or pause and slide to skip tracks.

The bottom edge has the same menu and works independently. You could even put Switch Apps on both. Keyboard Backlight is the bottom-edge default, and it replaces the missing backlight keys on newer MacBooks.

What stops it switching apps by accident?

A slide only starts when your finger begins right at the edge and moves sideways, so a normal pointer movement past the top doesn't trigger it. Slidr also has palm rejection, ignores the edges while you're typing, and offers Narrow, Standard or Wide edge widths. If one app needs the whole trackpad, say a drawing app, add it to Paused Apps and Slidr ignores gestures while that app is in front.

For a stricter setup, a Hold-to-Slide Key means nothing happens unless you hold, say, Option.

Which way should you switch apps?

Use Mission Control when you're hunting for a specific window among many. Use Command-Tab when both hands are on the keyboard. Use the top edge when your hand is on the trackpad and you just want the last app back.

Slidr includes the right-edge volume and left-edge brightness gestures too. It's a 3-day free trial from the download page, then $4.99 once for up to 3 Macs. The gestures cheat sheet shows how it all fits with what macOS already does.