How to Quickly Show the Desktop on a Mac

Download Article

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

Download Article

Keyboard Shortcuts

|

Trackpad Gestures

|

Custom Shortcuts

You can quickly navigate to the desktop on your Mac by pressing a keyboard shortcut, by swiping the trackpad using a specific gesture, or by creating your own customized shortcut.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keyboard Shortcuts

Download Article

1
Press Fn + F11. Doing so will reveal your desktop.
- Alternatively, you can press ⌘ Command + F3.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trackpad Gestures

Download Article

Make sure you've got a window up, such as a browser, to switch to the desktop from.
2
Spread your thumb and three fingers apart. Doing so will reveal your desktop.
- For a demonstration of the gesture, click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of the menu bar.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click the "Trackpad" icon.
- Click More Gestures.
- Click on "Show Desktop." An example animation will play on the right side of the window.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Custom Shortcuts

Download Article

If you want to make your own keyboard shortcut for accessing the desktop quickly, simply navigate to the shortcuts menu.^{[1]
X
Research source}
It's on the left side of the window.
8
Type in your custom keyboard shortcut.
- If you're using an "F" function key, you will have to hold down the Fn key to type your command.
Your keyboard shortcut will be saved!