Fixing macOS Dock Focus Issue: Make App Windows Active on Click

Author: erics, Posted February 8th, 2025 at 7:28:01am

If you’re using macOS 14.7.3 and experiencing an annoying issue where clicking a running app’s icon in the Dock doesn’t immediately make it active for typing, you’re not alone. Instead of the expected behavior—where the app comes to the forefront, ready for interaction—you might find yourself having to click inside the app’s window before you can start working. This extra step is frustrating and unnecessary.

The Problem: App Selection Requires a Second Click

When you select a running app by clicking its Dock icon, the expected behavior is that the app window becomes active immediately. However, on macOS 14.7.3, some users have found that the focus remains on the previous application, requiring an additional click inside the newly selected app’s window before they can start typing. This can slow down workflow and make switching between applications feel sluggish.

The Fix: A Simple Terminal Command

Fortunately, there’s a quick and effective fix using the Terminal. Running the following command will ensure that clicking an app in the Dock makes its window active immediately:

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply the Fix

1. **Open Terminal:** You can find it in Applications > Utilities > Terminal, or simply search for “Terminal” using Spotlight (Cmd + Space).
2. **Enter the Command:** Copy and paste the following command into Terminal:

3. **Press Enter:** This will apply the changes and restart the Dock automatically.
4. **Test the Fix:** Click on a running app’s Dock icon and verify that its window becomes active immediately.

Why This Works

macOS includes a hidden setting called single-app mode, which, when enabled, modifies how the Dock handles app switching. Some users might inadvertently have this setting turned on, causing the behavior described above. Running the command above explicitly disables this setting, restoring normal functionality.

Additional Troubleshooting

If the issue persists after running the command, consider the following additional steps:
– Restart your Mac to ensure all changes take effect.
– Check **System Settings > Desktop & Dock** and make sure the following options are enabled:
– “When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application.”
– “Group windows by application.”
– If the issue only occurs with specific apps, try quitting and reopening them or reinstalling them.

Conclusion

By running a simple Terminal command, you can restore the correct app-switching behavior on macOS 14.7.3 and eliminate the need for extra clicks when selecting apps from the Dock. This fix helps streamline workflow and ensures a smoother user experience.

Have you encountered this issue before? Let us know in the comments below if this fix worked for you or if you found alternative solutions!

Categories: Technology Tags: 14.7.3, cli, click, defaults, defaults write, Disable, Focus, howto, MacOS, mode, Mouse, single-app, Terminal, tips, write