Application Wizard Icon

Single application mode

Single application mode lets you focus on the application you are using by automatically hiding all the inactive applications.

Here are ways to turn single application mode on and off:

  • Open Application Wizard. On macOS 13 or later, choose Application Wizard > Settings. On macOS 12 or 11, choose Application Wizard > Preferences. In the General pane, select or deselect the “Turn single application mode on” checkbox.

  • Add the Turn Single Application Mode On/Off command to the Switch menu and use it to turn single application mode on and off.

    Customize the Switch menu

  • Use the “Turn single application mode on/off” keyboard shortcut.

    Use keyboard shortcuts to quickly perform tasks

By default, Application Wizard automatically shows all open applications when you turn single application mode off. If you prefer to keep inactive applications hidden, choose “Keep other applications hidden” from the “When turning SAM off” pop-up menu in the General pane of Application Wizard Settings (macOS 13 or later) or Application Wizard Preferences (macOS 12 or 11).

Application Wizard lets you keep specific applications always visible in single application mode and allows you to temporarily show multiple applications (e.g. Mail and Safari) so that you can use them together.

To keep an application always visible in single application mode:

  1. On macOS 13 or later, choose Application Wizard > Settings. On macOS 12 or 11, choose Application Wizard > Preferences. Then click Applications.

  2. Click the Add (+) button at the bottom of the list, browse and select the application, and click Add.

  3. Select the “Do not hide in single application mode” option.

To temporarily show two or more applications:

  • Display the Switch menu and link the applications you want to use together by highlighting each of them and pressing the Command key.

    Application Wizard marks linked applications with a green dot and shows or hides them together as you switch between applications.

  • Once you are done and want to return to regular single application mode, highlight the marked applications in the Switch menu and press the Command key again.

    Linked applications are automatically cleared when you turn single application mode off.