How to Enter and Exit Full-Screen Mode on a Mac

Published 2022-06-04

Have you ever faced a need to use a specific app in full-screen mode on a Mac? Or are you stuck in the entire screen and wondering if there’s a quick way to get out? Fortunately, switching from full-screen mode to normal and vice-versa is as simple as clicking a button.

Whether the latest macOS Monterey, Big Sur version, or the older ones, like High Sierra, El Capitan, Sierra, or Yosemite, entering and quitting Full-Screen Mode in any Mac Software is quite simple. If you find yourself searching for the way to enter/exit full-screen mode, don’t feel stupid; even some techy people have been in the same situation.

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to enter and exit full screen on Mac.

Why Should You Consider Using Full-Screen Mode On Mac?

Full-screen mode is incredibly convenient, especially if your monitor is tiny. But that doesn’t mean users with large Mac desktop screens don’t find it useful; it can certainly be helpful for them to avoid distractions while working. It helps put specific apps into focus and turn your workstation into a productivity hub.

You might want to read: Top 10+ Mac Temperature Monitors

How to Use Mac Full-Screen Mode?

Macs have been able to run programs in borderless and full-screen mode ever since Mac OS X 10.7 Lion was launched in 2011. Since then, the precise interface has changed slightly (particularly in 10.11 El Capitan, which introduced Split View), but it is still easy to use. It’s worth noting that not all Mac applications enable full-screen mode, but you can try the below-mentioned method and see if it works on your preferred program or not.

The most effective technique to enter into Full-Screen Mode is to click the green circle button located in the upper-left corner of the program window and hit the “Enter Full Screen” option that appears in the drop-down menu.

Alternatively, many programs allow you to enter full-screen mode by navigating to the View tab > and selecting the option “Enter Full Screen” from the drop-down menu.

macOS Big Sur and earlier version users can also use the keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + COMMAND + F, while the latest macOS Monterey users can use Fn +F (Function + F) keyboard shortcut to enter full-screen mode on Mac.

Note: Since the Fn + F shortcut is relatively new, some programs may only recognize the CTRL + COMMAND + F shortcut. So, you may try both and let us know which one worked for you well!

How to exit full screen on Mac?

Users need to follow a similar method for exiting full screen on Mac, requiring an additional step to complete the process. If you’re already in full-screen mode, drag your mouse to the top of the screen and hold it there until the menu bar appears.

Click on the green circle icon located at the upper-left corner of the screen and choose “Exit Full Screen” from the options listed on your screen.

Alternatively, to escape full-screen mode, go to the View tab > Exit Full Screen in the menu bar, or press CTRL + COMMAND + F (on Big Sur or earlier versions) or Fn +F (on Monterey).

If you want to view the menu bar in full-screen mode all the time, go to System Preferences > head towards the option Dock & Menu Bar and uncheck the option next to “Automatically hide and show the menu bar in full screen.”

Must-Read: How to Control+Alt+Delete on a Mac and Force Quit apps

How to Change Apps While in Full-Screen Mode?

When in full-screen mode, you may need to alter how you make transitions between programs. If you’re used to switching between apps by clicking icons in the Dock or portions of windows, it’s time to learn some new tricks.

Here’s how to move between apps in full-screen mode:

For thispurpose, we’ll use macOS App Switcher. It’s a good system extension-like app that allows users to switch to one app at a time. Press and hold the Command + Tab keys until you discover the icon for the program you want to change to, then let go of both keys.
Alternatively, you can swipe four fingers left or right on a trackpad or Magic Mouse. Some users might find it tricky, so you may modify this to a three-finger swipe by going to System Preferences > Trackpad > More Gestures.
Holddown the Control key and then hit the right or left arrow keys to switch between full-screen apps.
On an Apple keyboard, press the Mission Control key (F3), move your mouse to the top of the screen, and select one of the app thumbnails.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q.1. What to do if my Mac is stuck in full screen?

If your MacBook is locked in full-screen mode, it will severely limit your ability to utilize the desktop. Hold the right mouse button, press keyboard shortcuts, and click on the full-screen green button to resolve this issue. If the problem persists, try closing and reopening the app. Eventually, you can restart your Mac to fix the problem.

Q.2. How do I get out of full-screenmode on my Mac?

To exit the full screen on Mac, drag your cursor to the top of your screen to reveal your app’s toolbar or title bar, and click on the green circle button.

You may also escape full-screen mode by pressing COMMAND + CTRL + F keys or navigating to the View tab and choosing – Exit Full-Screen option.

Bottom Line

If you are new to using a Mac, we recommend that you use every screen pixel while keeping the Mac screen size in mind. It also boosts productivity by allowing you to switch between programs in a much simpler way.

Do you know any other method to help enter and exit full-screen mode on Mac? If yes, then feel free to share your suggestions in the comments section below!

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