If you’re new to using a Mac, you might find that some of the features don’t work quite how you’re used to. One of these could be how to quickly jump to the desktop. Fortunately, Macs have several ways to do this, all quick and straightforward. In this blog post, we’ll show you how.
Method 1: Using a Keyboard Shortcut
One of the quickest ways to jump to the desktop on a Mac is to use a keyboard shortcut. The default keyboard shortcut to view the desktop on a Mac is F11. However, depending on your settings, you might need to hold down the Fn key (usually found in the bottom left corner of the keyboard) while pressing F11.
Fn + F11
If this shortcut does not work, follow Method 2 to check your settings.
Method 2: Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
You can also customize your shortcut keys to view the desktop in the System Preferences. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open System Preferences and click on Mission Control.
- Click on Hot Corners located at the bottom left.
- In the dropdown menus, assign the action “Desktop” to one corner of your screen. This means when you move your mouse to this corner, you’ll be taken to your desktop.
- Click OK to save your changes.
Now, whenever you want to quickly jump to your desktop, simply move your cursor to the corner you selected.
Method 3: Using Trackpad Gestures
If you’re using a Mac with a trackpad, you can use certain gestures to view your desktop quickly. By default, spreading your thumb and three fingers apart on your trackpad will show your desktop.
Spread your thumb and three fingers apart on your trackpad
If this gesture isn’t working, ensure that the “Show Desktop” gesture is enabled in your trackpad settings.
- Open System Preferences and click Trackpad.
- Click on the More Gestures tab.
- Ensure that the Show Desktop checkbox is ticked.
With these methods, you should now be able to jump to your desktop easily on your Mac. Remember, the more you practice, the more natural these shortcuts and gestures will become.
