Mac app hotkeys

Your favorite apps, one shortcut away.

Checking your browser, opening Finder, or getting back to a tool you use all day? Give that app a shortcut of its own, so you can bring it up without reaching for the Dock.

The key combinations in this video are examples. Choose your own for the apps you use.

Launch it, bring it back, or put it away

The app isn't running: its shortcut launches it.
The app is in the background or hidden: its shortcut brings it forward.
The app is already in front: press the shortcut again to hide it if Hide on Repeated Trigger is on.

Each shortcut is tied to an app. It brings that app forward rather than asking you to choose from a list of windows.

Set up your first app shortcut

Click OD in the menu bar and open Hotkeys.
Turn on Enable Hotkeys and grant Accessibility if prompted.
Click Choose App and select the app you want.
Click Record Shortcut beside the app and press your chosen combination.
Turn on Hide on Repeated Trigger if you'd like the same shortcut to hide the app when it's already in front.

Switch to another app, then try your new shortcut. You can add more apps and give each one a different combination.

If a shortcut won't register

For a shortcut with a regular key, include Command, Control, or Option. Shift can be added too, but can't be the only modifier. Avoid common menu commands, browser tab shortcuts, and combinations already used by macOS, another app, or another OmniDock feature.

OmniDock will flag combinations it can't register. Try a different one, or check the app shortcut steps on the Support page.

Which permission does it need?

App hotkeys need Accessibility so OmniDock can bring apps forward and hide them. You don't need Screen Recording just to use app hotkeys; that permission is for window previews.