How to Quickly Show the Desktop on a Mac

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

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

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

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trackpad Gestures

1
Place your thumb and first three fingers on the trackpad. 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

1
Click on the Apple icon in the top menu bar. If you want to make your own keyboard shortcut for accessing the desktop quickly, simply navigate to the shortcuts menu.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Click System Preferences.
3
Click the "Keyboard" icon.
4
Click Shortcuts.
5
Click Mission Control. It's on the left side of the window.
6
Click Show Desktop on the right side of the window.
7
Click it again to highlight the keystroke text.
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.
9
Click the red "X" button. Your keyboard shortcut will be saved!