A quick way to switch among open applications is by holding down the ⌘ key and then pressing the Tab key. This will display the Application Switcher, which displays a thumbnail of all of your open applications in a banner across your screen. To switch to an application, tap the Tab key until the desired application is highlighted. Then, release the ⌘ key. The selected application will come to the front.

There is one problem with this however – it doesn’t work if the window is minimized, which I often do in order to unclutter my screen. In such a case when an application window is minimized, all that will come to the front is the application’s menu. To remedy this, press down the Option key while the Application Switcher is active and then release the ⌘ key. The minimized application will pop up to the front.

Quick Guide: Switch to a Minimized Application

1. Hold down the ⌘ key 2.
2. Press the Tab key
3. With the ⌘ key still held down, tap the Tab key until the desired application is highlighted.
4. Press the Option key and release the ⌘ key.
5. Release the Option key