4 Ways to Show Desktop on a Mac

Quick Tips

• With macOS Sonoma, you can double-click on the wallpaper to show the desktop.
• If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, macOS has two shortcuts that show the desktop. Press Fn + F11 or simply F11 to reveal the desktop.
• To use the show desktop gesture, place your hand on the trackpad and swipe or move three fingers away from the thumb (a zoom-out gesture using three fingers and thumb).

Method 1: By Clicking on Wallpaper

With macOS Sonoma, Apple has introduced an easy way to go to the desktop. All you need to do is click on any part of your MacBook’s wallpaper to show the desktop. Click again on the wallpaper to hide the desktop and reveal the open apps.

This method has been tested on macOS Sonoma and works perfectly fine from any app and in Stage Manager as well.

If clicking the wallpaper doesn’t reveal the desktop, go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Look for the Click wallpaper to reveal the desktop option > Click on Only in Stage Manager next to it and then select Always.

Tip: Learn how to change the wallpaper on your MacBook.

Method 2: Use macOS Keyboard Shortcut to Show Desktop

If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, macOS has two shortcuts to show the desktop. Press Fn + F11 or simply F11 to reveal the desktop. Alternatively, use the Command + F3 (Mission Control) keyboard shortcut to go to the desktop on your MacBook.

If the macOS shortcut to show the desktop isn’t working, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. Click on Mission Control from the sidebar and then ensure Show Desktop is checked. Also, make sure it says F11 for the Show Desktop keyboard shortcut next to it.

Tip: Use keyboard shortcuts Command + M to minimize windows and Command + H to hide windows on MacBook.

Method 3: View Desktop on Mac Using Trackpad Gesture

If you enjoy using gestures, there’s a trackpad gesture to view the desktop on Mac. To use the show desktop gesture, place your hand on the trackpad and swipe or move three fingers away from the thumb (a zoom-out gesture using three fingers and thumb). To hide the desktop, use the pinch-in gesture using three fingers and thumb, i.e., bring the three fingers close to the thumb.

The gesture is enabled by default, but if the trackpad gesture is not working, go to System Settings > Trackpad > More Gestures tab at the top > Enable the toggle next to Show Desktop.

Tip: Learn how to change the scrolling direction on MacBook.

Method 4: From Corners

Hot Corners is a special feature in MacBooks to assign specific functions, such as Mission Control, Launchpad, Quick Note, Screen Screen Saver, etc., to your screen’s four corners. You can run the function assigned to a corner by moving your cursor to that specific corner.

To set up and show desktop as one of the Hot Corners on MacBook, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open System Settings on your MacBook.

Step 2: Go to Desktop & Dock and then click on the Hot Corners button at the bottom.

Step 3: Click on the drop-down box next to a corner and then select Desktop, followed by the Done button.

That’s it. Now, move your cursor or pointer to the corner to which you assigned the Desktop action to show the desktop on your Mac.

Tip: Learn how to use hot corners on your iPhone