4 Ways to Show Desktop on a Mac
Mehvish Mushtaq is a computer engineer by degree. Her love for Android and gadgets led her to develop the first Android app for Kashmir. Known as Dial Kashmir, she won the prestigious Nari Shakti award from the President of India. She has been writing about technology for 6+ years and her favorite categories include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, social media, and web apps.
Paurush dabbles around iOS and Mac while his close encounters are with Android and Windows. Before becoming a writer, he produced videos for brands like Mr. Phone and Digit. On weekends, he is a full-time cinephile trying to reduce his never-ending watchlist, often making it longer.
Method 1: By Clicking on Wallpaper
WithmacOS Sonoma, Apple has introduced an easy way to go to the desktop. All you need to do is click on any part of yourMacBook’s wallpaperto show the desktop. Click again on the wallpaper to hide the desktop and reveal the open apps.
This method has been tested on macOS Sonoma and works perfectly fine from any app and in Stage Manager as well.
If clicking the wallpaper doesn’t reveal the desktop, go toSystem Settings > Desktop & Dock> Look for theClick wallpaper to reveal the desktop option> Click onOnly in Stage Managernext to it and then selectAlways.
Tip: Learn how tochange the wallpaper on your MacBook.
Method 2: Use macOS Keyboard Shortcut to Show Desktop
If you preferkeyboard shortcuts, macOS has two shortcuts to show the desktop. Press Fn + F11 or simply F11 to reveal the desktop. Alternatively, use the Command + F3 (Mission Control) keyboard shortcut to go to the desktop on your MacBook.
If themacOS shortcut to show the desktop isn’t working, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. Click onMission Controlfrom the sidebar and then ensureShow Desktopis checked. Also, make sure it says F11 for the Show Desktop keyboard shortcut next to it.
Tip:Use keyboard shortcuts Command + M to minimize windows and Command + H to hide windows on MacBook.
Method 3: View Desktop on Mac Using Trackpad Gesture
If you enjoy using gestures, there’s a trackpad gesture to view the desktop on Mac. To use the show desktop gesture,place your hand on the trackpad and swipe or move three fingers awayfrom the thumb (a zoom-out gesture using three fingers and thumb). To hide the desktop, use the pinch-in gesture using three fingers and thumb, i.e., bring the three fingers close to the thumb.
The gesture is enabled by default, but if thetrackpad gesture is not working, go toSystem Settings > Trackpad>More Gesturestab at the top > Enable the toggle next toShow Desktop.
Tip:Learn how tochange the scrolling direction on MacBook.
Method 4: From Corners
Hot Corners is a special feature in MacBooks to assign specific functions, such as Mission Control, Launchpad, Quick Note, Screen Screen Saver, etc., to your screen’s four corners. You can run the function assigned to a corner by moving your cursor to that specific corner.
To set up and show desktop as one of the Hot Corners on MacBook, follow these steps:
Step 1: OpenSystem Settingson your MacBook.
Step 2: Go toDesktop & Dockand then click on theHot Cornersbutton at the bottom.
Step 3:Click on the drop-down box next to a corner and then selectDesktop, followed by theDonebutton.
That’s it. Now, move your cursor or pointer to the corner to which you assigned the Desktop action to show the desktop on your Mac.
Tip:Learn how touse hot corners on your iPhone
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Last updated on 22 July, 2024
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