Stage Manager organizes open windows by placing the active window in the center and moving other apps or groups into thumbnails along the side. It can make a crowded desktop easier to scan.
Stage Manager is available on Macs running macOS Ventura or later.
Does This Affect You?
Use Stage Manager if overlapping windows make it hard to focus and you want a cleaner way to jump between active work areas.
Turn On Stage Manager
- Click Control Center in the menu bar.
- Click Stage Manager.
- Turn it on.
- Click thumbnails on the side to switch between apps or window groups.
- Turn it off from the same Control Center menu when you want the normal desktop layout back.
You can also enable Stage Manager from System Settings > Desktop & Dock.
Group Windows Together
- Turn on Stage Manager.
- Open the windows you want to use together.
- Drag one window onto another window or group in the center.
- Release when the grouping highlight appears.
- Click the group thumbnail later to bring those windows back together.
- Drag a window out of the group to separate it.
Stage Manager Settings
Recent Apps and Desktop Items
In Desktop & Dock settings, Stage Manager options can show or hide the recent-app thumbnail strip and desktop items while Stage Manager is active.
Works with Command-Tab and Mission Control
Stage Manager does not replace normal app switching. Command-Tab and Mission Control still work while it is enabled.
External Displays
On Mac, Stage Manager is a global workspace mode. With external displays, macOS offers display-related placement options, but it is not a separate on/off toggle per display like on iPad.
Easy to Disable
If the automatic rearranging feels distracting, turn Stage Manager off. Your windows return to their previous desktop style.
Sources
- Apple Support: Use Stage Manager on Mac
- Apple Support: Change Stage Manager settings on Mac
- Apple: macOS Ventura Stage Manager overview