The feature may not work with all applications

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 40 views

How to Prevent MacOS from Changing Focus on Other Monitors When Switching Spaces or Clicking on a Window

Are you tired of MacOS switching focus to another monitor when you're switching between Spaces or clicking on a window? You're not alone. Many users have reported this issue, and it's often dismissed as a "feature" rather than a bug. However, we believe that this behavior can be frustrating and counterintuitive. In this article, we'll explore the issue, provide a detailed explanation of the problem, and offer some potential solutions to help you prevent MacOS from changing focus on other monitors.

The Problem: Why MacOS Switches Focus

When you're working with multiple monitors and Spaces, it's common to have applications spread across different screens. However, when you switch between Spaces or click on a window, MacOS often switches focus to the other monitor. This can be disorienting and disrupt your workflow. For example, if you have Chrome spread between two Spaces in different monitors, switching between them can cause the focus to jump to the other monitor, making it difficult to navigate between tabs.

Why is this a Problem?

So, why is this behavior a problem? There are several reasons:

Disruption of workflow: When MacOS switches focus to another monitor, it can disrupt your workflow and make it difficult to focus on the task at hand.
Loss of context: Switching focus to another monitor can cause you to lose context and have to reorient yourself to the new screen.
Increased cognitive load: The constant switching between monitors can increase your cognitive load and make it more difficult to concentrate.

Potential Solutions

So, what can you do to prevent MacOS from changing focus on other monitors? Here are some potential solutions:

1. Use the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature

One potential solution is to use the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature. This feature allows you to control where the focus goes when you move your mouse between monitors. To enable this feature, follow these steps:

Go to System Preferences > Mission Control
Select the "Displays" tab
Check the box next to "Focus follows mouse"

2. Use the "Mission Control" feature

Another potential solution is to use the "Mission Control" feature. This feature allows you to control where the focus goes when you switch between Spaces. To enable this feature, follow these steps:

Go to System Preferences > Mission Control
Select the "Spaces" tab
Check the box next to "When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for that application"

3. Use a third-party app

If the above solutions don't work for you, you can try using a third-party app to control where the focus goes. Some popular options include:

Magnet: A popular app that allows you to control where the focus goes when you switch between Spaces.
SizeUp: An app that allows you to control where the focus goes when you switch between Spaces, as well as resize windows.

In conclusion, the issue of MacOS switching focus to another monitor when switching between Spaces or clicking on a window is a common problem that can be frustrating and counterintuitive. However, by using the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature, the "Mission Control" feature, or a third-party app, you can control where the focus goes and prevent MacOS from changing focus on other monitors. We hope that this article has provided you with some useful solutions to this problem.

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you work more efficiently with multiple monitors and Spaces:

Use the "Command + Tab" shortcut: This shortcut allows you to switch between applications quickly and easily.
Use the "Command + Shift + Tab" shortcut: This shortcut allows you to switch between applications in reverse order.
Use the "Mission Control" feature to create custom Spaces: This feature allows you to create custom Spaces that are tailored to your specific needs.
Use a third-party app to control window management: Apps like Magnet and SizeUp can help you control where the focus goes when you switch between Spaces, as well as resize windows.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the issue of MacOS switching focus to another monitor when switching between Spaces or clicking on a window:

Q: Why does MacOS switch focus to another monitor? A: MacOS switches focus to another monitor because it's designed to follow the mouse cursor. However, this can be frustrating and counterintuitive.
Q: How can I prevent MacOS from switching focus to another monitor? A: You can prevent MacOS from switching focus to another monitor by using the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature, the "Mission Control" feature, or a third-party app.
Q: What are some other tips and tricks for working with multiple monitors and Spaces? A: Some other tips and tricks include using the "Command + Tab" shortcut, using the "Command + Shift + Tab" shortcut, creating custom Spaces using the "Mission Control" feature, and using a third-party app to control window management.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Prevent MacOS from Changing Focus on Other Monitors When Switching Spaces or Clicking on a Window

Q: Why does MacOS switch focus to another monitor?

A: MacOS switches focus to another monitor because it's designed to follow the mouse cursor. When you move your mouse between monitors, MacOS automatically switches focus to the new monitor. However, this can be frustrating and counterintuitive, especially when you're working with multiple monitors and Spaces.

Q: How can I prevent MacOS from switching focus to another monitor?

A: You can prevent MacOS from switching focus to another monitor by using the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature, the "Mission Control" feature, or a third-party app. Here are some steps to follow:

Use the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature: Go to System Preferences > Mission Control, select the "Displays" tab, and check the box next to "Focus follows mouse".
Use the "Mission Control" feature: Go to System Preferences > Mission Control, select the "Spaces" tab, and check the box next to "When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for that application".
Use a third-party app: Apps like Magnet and SizeUp can help you control where the focus goes when you switch between Spaces, as well as resize windows.

Q: What are some other tips and tricks for working with multiple monitors and Spaces?

A: Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you work more efficiently with multiple monitors and Spaces:

Use the "Command + Tab" shortcut: This shortcut allows you to switch between applications quickly and easily.
Use the "Command + Shift + Tab" shortcut: This shortcut allows you to switch between applications in reverse order.
Use the "Mission Control" feature to create custom Spaces: This feature allows you to create custom Spaces that are tailored to your specific needs.
Use a third-party app to control window management: Apps like Magnet and SizeUp can help you control where the focus goes when you switch between Spaces, as well as resize windows.

Q: Can I customize the behavior of MacOS when switching between Spaces?

A: Yes, you can customize the behavior of MacOS when switching between Spaces. Here are some options:

Use the "Mission Control" feature to customize Spaces: Go to System Preferences > Mission Control, select the "Spaces" tab, and customize the behavior of your Spaces.
Use a third-party app to customize window management: Apps like Magnet and SizeUp can help you customize the behavior of your windows when switching between Spaces.

Q: Are there any limitations to using the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature?

A: Yes, there are some limitations to using the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature. For example:

The feature only works when you're using a mouse: If you're using a trackpad or other input device, the feature may not work as expected.
The feature may not work with all applications: Some applications may not respond to the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature, or may have their own custom behavior.

Q: Can I use the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature with multiple monitors?

A: Yes, you can use the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature with multiple monitors. However, you may need to adjust the settings to get the behavior you want. Here are some tips:

Make sure the "Focus Follows Mouse" feature is enabled: Go to System Preferences > Mission Control, select the "Displays" tab, and check the box next to "Focus follows mouse".
Adjust the settings for each monitor: You may need to adjust the settings for each monitor to get the behavior you want.

Q: Are there any other features or settings that can help me work more efficiently with multiple monitors and Spaces?

A: Yes, there are several other features and settings that can help you work more efficiently with multiple monitors and Spaces. Here are some options:

Use the "Spaces" feature: This feature allows you to create custom Spaces that are tailored to your specific needs.
Use the "Mission Control" feature to create custom Spaces: This feature allows you to create custom Spaces that are tailored to your specific needs.
Use a third-party app to control window management: Apps like Magnet and SizeUp can help you control where the focus goes when you switch between Spaces, as well as resize windows.