The native shortcuts are 80% of the way there. To get to 100%, you need a third-party utility.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars) Deducted one star for the arbitrary 6-desktop limit and full-screen app inconsistency.
Once you hit Control + ↑ to enter Mission Control, you aren't forced to use the mouse. mac switch desktop keyboard shortcut
This review covers usability, efficiency gains, ergonomic impact, and the often-overlooked nuances of navigating macOS via the keyboard rather than the trackpad.
The primary keyboard shortcut to switch between desktops (Spaces) on a Mac is . This allows you to move sequentially through your active workspaces and full-screen applications. Essential Shortcuts Keyboard Shortcut Switch Right Control (\text{^}) + →right arrow Switch Left Control (\text{^}) + ←left arrow Direct Jump The native shortcuts are 80% of the way there
Expand the "Mission Control" list to see options like , "Switch to Desktop 2" , etc..
2025 System Tested: macOS Sonoma / Sequoia Hardware Used: Apple Magic Keyboard (Full-size) & Logitech MX Mechanical (Mac layout) Once you hit Control + ↑ to enter
: Switches between open applications. Note that if an app is on a different desktop, macOS will automatically slide to that desktop. Apple Support +5 Perspectives on Workflow Experienced users often find sequential switching slower than jumping directly to a space. Expert Efficiency Tips Community members often suggest enabling direct shortcuts to avoid the "scrolling" feel of sequential switching. “I use keyboard shortcuts CTRL + 1 to # of desktops for fast switching. The animations are faster as well compared to Ctrl + left/right.” Switching desktops like you switch tabs? : r/MacOS - Reddit Reddit · r/MacOS
If you put an app in full-screen mode (green traffic light button), macOS treats it as a separate Space. However, the Control + Number shortcut often fails to target full-screen apps correctly, especially if you have a mix of standard desktops and full-screen windows. You will often hit Control + 3 expecting your Safari desktop, only to land on a full-screen Apple TV player. Infuriating.