What is Stage Manager on Mac: what it is, how to use it, and the best alternatives

macOS Ventura added Stage Manager, which organizes your open windows so you can find the one you need faster. It puts the window you're working in front-and-center while shrinking every other open app into live thumbnails on the left, so you can jump between them with a single click.

I've been using Stage Manager since its launch, and while it's not perfect, it can transform how you work with multiple apps. Let’s take a closer look at what Stage Manager does and how you can use it to your advantage, plus some alternatives.

Here's a quick overview of what Stage Manager offers and how it can improve your workflow:

Stage Manager features	What benefits?	Best for
Live thumbnails	See app updates without switching windows	Monitoring messages or emails
Window grouping	Keep related apps together	Research projects or coding
One-click switching	Jump between apps instantly	Multitasking workflows
Desktop access	Click to view files and folders	Quick file management
Spaces integration	Combine with virtual desktops	Advanced organization
Hide/show recent apps	Control thumbnail visibility	Minimalist setups

What is Stage Manager?

Stage Manager is a macOS window management feature that lets you arrange your windows in a clear, straightforward layout so you can focus on one app with minimal interruption. It also allows you to overlap windows, making it easy to view information from multiple apps.

The feature works with macOS Ventura (version 13) and later, including the current macOS Tahoe. You can group related windows together by dragging thumbnails. You can also overlap or resize windows within a group when you need to view information from several apps simultaneously.

The app you're using stays in the center of your screen. Other apps move to the left as clickable thumbnails. This organization method differs from Mission Control, which shows all windows in a grid view.

Now let's explore the advantages and limitations in more detail.

Is Stage Manager worth using? Pros and cons

Before we get to the question of how to enable Stage Manager, let’s first try to understand if you need to use it in the first place.

The advantages

Here are the main advantages of Stage Manager:

• Everything you don't use stays out of sight
• Everything you use groups together naturally
• It's very fast to activate and use

Stage Manager adds organizational features Mission Control doesn't have. On the left side of the screen, windows are arranged as app-specific thumbnails, and clicking a thumbnail activates the corresponding window. If an app has numerous windows open, they appear as stacked thumbnails, and you can click on one at a time to select it.

You can create groups of windows that go together for your workflow. For instance, if you’re writing a research paper, you can have Pages, Safari, Dictionary, and the Notes apps open and group them together by dragging each thumbnail to the center of the screen. Stage Manager automatically creates the group when all the appropriate windows are on the screen. Then, when you click the group thumbnail, those app windows appear on the screen, and all other windows disappear.

The limitations

Here are the main limitations of Stage Manager:

• It takes twice as many clicks to exit Stage Manager as it does to enter it.
• When you exit Stage Manager, apps tend to be dumped in the center of the screen.
• It’s best suited for smaller monitors.

Stage Manager shows up to six thumbnails based on most recent use. You can't rearrange or resize these thumbnails. Right-clicking a thumbnail shows no options, which feels limiting.

For example, you might want to close a specific Safari window from the thumbnails. You might also want to quit apps directly from Stage Manager. Unfortunately, these actions aren't possible.

When you exit Stage Manager, apps often end up dumped in the center of your screen. It also takes twice as many clicks to exit as it does to enter. The feature works best on smaller monitors where screen space is at a premium.

Which Macs support Stage Manager?

To use Apple’s Stage Manager interface, you’ll need a Mac or iPad running macOS Ventura or iPadOS 16 and later. 

That includes:

• MacBook Pro (2017 and later)
• MacBook Air (2018 and later)
• MacBook (2017 and later)
• iMac (2017 and later)
• iMac Pro
• Mac mini (2018 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)
• Mac Studio (all models)

To use Stage Manager on iPad, make sure you're running iPadOS 16 or later. According to Apple's official documentation, the feature now supports a much broader lineup:

• 13-inch iPad Pro (M4)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
• 11-inch iPad Pro (all generations)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)
• iPad (8th generation and later)

If you plan to drive an external display with Stage Manager on iPad, you'll still need an M-series chip. Macs running macOS Ventura or newer continue to support Stage Manager out of the box.

Or get Desktop Composer as a standalone app for $19.99 USD one-time.

How to organize apps and windows with Stage Manager

To activate Stage Manager, open Control Center from the menu bar and click the Stage Manager icon. Here's the full process and how to use its main features:

1. Open Control Center in the menu bar.

2. Click Stage Manager to turn it on or off.

3. (Optional) In System Settings > Desktop & Dock, scroll to Stage Manager for extra options like Show/hide recent apps in Stage Manager.

Stage Manager displays the app you’re using in the center of the screen. Other apps you’re using appear as thumbnails on the side. Here's how to use the main features:

• Switch between windows: Click any thumbnail to activate it. Click the desktop to access files and folders.
• Create window groups: Drag a thumbnail onto the center window or hold Shift while clicking thumbnails.
• Remove windows from groups: Drag them back to the thumbnail pane.
• Drag items between windows: Hold an item over a thumbnail until its window moves to the center. Then drop the item.
• Minimize without switching: Click the Minimize button or press Command + M.
• Hide app windows: Press Command + H to hide an app's windows and thumbnails.

Up to six thumbnails are displayed, depending on your screen size. Each thumbnail shows a live view of its window. You can see incoming messages without switching windows.

You can also change which apps appear in Stage Manager. You have two options: 

• Show Recent Apps displays recently used apps on the left side. 
• Hide Recent Apps hides them until you move your pointer to the left side.

Read also:

• Alt Tab on Mac
• Tile Open Windows on Mac
• Hide Icons on Mac
• Split Screen on Mac for Extra Productivity

How to use Stage Manager with Spaces

Spaces (Apple's virtual desktops) gives you multiple virtual desktops to organize your work. You can have up to 16 different desktops. Each one can have its own apps and windows. The feature helps you stay organized without cluttering a single desktop.

Both Spaces and Stage Manager help you focus on the task at hand. They also let you switch to another task quickly. Here's how to use them together:

1. In your first Space, open the apps and documents you want to use.
2. Click the Control Center icon.
3. Click Stage Manager.
4. Swipe up on a trackpad with three fingers.
5. Click the Plus sign in the upper-right corner of your screen.
6. Click the thumbnail for the new Space.
7. In your second Space, open the apps and documents you want to use.

Because you've already selected Stage Manager in your first Space, it's on for all of them. When you turn it off, you turn it off for all Spaces.

You end up with a Mac desktop that lets you focus on only what you need. Most other things you use sit in the Stage Manager column, just a click away. A whole new set of apps and documents waits just a swipe away in a second Space.

Can I toggle Stage Manager with a keyboard shortcut?

Yes. To do so:

1. Open System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. 
2. Choose Mission Control, then double-click the blank space next to Stage Manager.
3. Press the keys you'd like to use (for example, Control + Option + S) and click Done. 
4. From now on, that shortcut will turn Stage Manager on or off instantly.

This shortcut saves time compared to clicking through Control Center. I use it constantly when switching between focused work and regular desktop use.

Best Stage Manager alternatives on Mac

If you’ve tried the Stage Manager features and don’t like them, here are some alternatives to try. Here's a decluttering routine that works::

• Mission Control Plus extends Apple's native Mission Control with a crucial missing feature. The app adds "X" buttons to Mission Control, letting you close windows instantly. You can also use shortcuts to close all windows, quit apps, or hide them. It's perfect if you prefer Mission Control's grid view but want more control.

• For a completely different approach, try Desktop Composer. This app creates one-click profiles for your entire macOS aesthetic. Save different desktop setups for coding, meetings, or creative work. Switch between them instantly or schedule automatic changes based on time or Focus modes.

You might also want to set up a decluttering routine with these tools:

• Try Workspaces to organize your files, email, and apps into “folders” in the menu bar. With one click, you can then launch all the resources you need to complete a task. Workspaces organizes resources by project in your menu bar — open everything at once instead of hunting through Finder. Free for 7 days. Try Workspaces Free. Or get Workspaces as a standalone app for $19.99 USD one-time.

• Check out Spotless. It’s the perfect tool for automatic desktop cleaning. You can just drop all your files and screenshots into Spotless, and it will automatically organize them into folders.

• And finally, perform regular cleanups with CleanMyMac. This tool will help you to save disk space and remove unnecessary files from your desktop.

Desktop Composer pairs well with other productivity tools. Here’s a broader roundup of the best Mac apps for productivity if you want to build a complete workflow.

Making Stage Manager work for you

Stage Manager offers a unique approach to window management that many Mac users find helpful. While it has some limitations, the ability to focus on one task while keeping other apps visible makes it worth trying.

I recommend giving Stage Manager a week to see if it fits your workflow. Combine it with Spaces for even better organization. If it doesn't work for you, tools like Mission Control Plus and Desktop Composer offer excellent alternatives through Setapp.

The best window management system is the one you actually use. Whether that's Stage Manager, Mission Control, or a third-party solution, the goal is making your Mac work better for you.

You've learned how to organize your Mac. Now get the tools that take it further. Mission Control Plus, Desktop Composer, Workspaces, Spotless, CleanMyMac and 270+ other Mac and iOS apps — all in one Setapp membership. Cancel before Day 7 — $0 charged. Start Your 7-Day Trial.

FAQ

What is Stage Manager?

Stage Manager is a macOS Ventura (and later) feature that keeps the window you're working in front and center, while tucking other open apps into live thumbnails on the left. Click a thumbnail to switch apps or drag two thumbnails together to create a group. It's an easy way to keep your desktop tidy and focus on one task at a time.

Which Macs support Stage Manager?

Any Mac that can run macOS Ventura or later supports Stage Manager. That includes MacBook Pro (2017+), MacBook Air (2018+), iMac (2017+), Mac mini (2018+), Mac Pro (2019+), and all Mac Studio models. iPad users need iPadOS 16 or later, with broader device support now including iPad Air, iPad mini, and standard iPad models from recent generations.

Can I use Stage Manager with multiple monitors?

Yes, Stage Manager works across multiple displays on Mac. Each monitor can have its own set of app thumbnails and window groups. On iPad, you need an M-series chip to use Stage Manager with an external display. The feature adapts to your display setup automatically.