Are you finding it difficult to exit full screen mode on your Mac? You’re not alone! This can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re not familiar with the right steps to take. Fortunately, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll show you how to exit full screen on your Mac in just a few simple steps.
Steps
Step 1: Find the Green Button
When using an application on a Mac, you’ll notice that there are three buttons in the top left corner of the window – red, yellow, and green. The green button is the full-screen toggle button. Clicking on it will put the application in full screen mode.
Step 2: Use the Keyboard Shortcut
You can use a simple keyboard shortcut to exit full screen on a Mac. Press the “Control + Command + F” keys simultaneously, and the application will exit full screen mode.
Step 3: Use the Exit Full Screen Button
Another way to exit full screen mode on Mac is by clicking the “Exit Full Screen” button. You can find this button in the top right corner of the screen, near the search bar, right beside the window control buttons with the red dot, the yellow dot, and the green dot.
Step 4: Use Mission Control
Mission Control is a useful feature in MacOS that helps you manage multiple desktops. To exit full screen mode using Mission Control, swipe up with three or four fingers on the trackpad, or press the “Mission Control” key on your keyboard. This will bring up all the applications currently running on your Mac.
Step 5: Use the Swipe Gesture
If you’re using a MacBook with a trackpad, you can use a swipe gesture to exit full screen mode. Simply swipe left or right with three or four fingers on the trackpad to exit full screen mode.
Step 6: Use the Dock
You can also exit full screen mode on a Mac by using the Dock. Move the cursor to the bottom of the screen, and the Dock will appear. Click on the application in full screen mode, and it will exit full screen.
Step 7: Use the Escape Key
Pressing the escape key is one of the easiest ways to exit full screen mode on a Mac. Simply press the “Escape” key on your keyboard, and the application will exit full screen mode.
Step 8: Use the “Window” Menu
You can also use the “Window” menu to exit full screen mode. Click on the Apple icon at the top left corner of the screen, then select “Window” from the drop-down menu. Click the “Exit Full Screen” button to exit full-screen mode.
Step 9: Use the Application Menu
Some applications have their own menu bar at the top of the screen where you can find the “Exit Full Screen” button. Look for it in the application menu, and click the button to exit full screen mode.
Step 10: Use the Siri Search Bar
If you have Siri enabled on your Mac, you can use the search bar to exit full screen mode. Click on the Siri icon in the top right corner of the screen, then say “Exit Full-Screen Mode” out loud.
Step 11: Use the “Show All Windows” Feature
Clicking on the “Show All Windows” button will show you a list of all the windows currently open on your Mac. Click on the window in full screen mode, and it will exit full screen mode.
Step 12: Restart Your Mac
If all else fails, restarting your Mac can help resolve any issues you may be experiencing with full screen mode. Press the “Option + Command + Power” keys simultaneously to restart your Mac.
Explanation
Exiting full screen mode on a Mac can seem confusing, with so many methods available. There are multiple ways to do it, depending on your preferences and the applications you are using. Some applications have their own exit full screen buttons, while others require a keyboard shortcut or access to features like Mission Control. To make this process easier, we have shared some of the simplest methods for exiting full screen mode on a Mac.
Tips and Tricks
1. Use the keyboard shortcut
Learn the keyboard shortcut combination of “Control + Command + F” to easily exit full screen mode on your Mac.
2. Use Mission Control
Know the four-finger swipe-up gesture or press the “Mission Control” button on your keyboard to quickly access the application windows you have open and exit full screen mode.
3. Use the Dock
Quickly access the Dock by moving your cursor to the bottom of the screen if you have selected ‘hide Dock’ in your preferences and simply click on the open application to exit full screen mode.
4. Use Full Screen Mode Sparingly
Limit the use of full screen mode if it’s causing trouble on your Mac, as it can cause some applications to behave differently than normal window mode. Always remember that full screen mode can make it more challenging to multitask or engage with other applications.
5. Try Another Method If One Doesn’t Work
If one method doesn’t work, try another until you find the best way to exit full screen mode. Experiment with each method, and find the one that works best for you.
6. Restart Your Mac If Issues Persist
If you’re still having trouble exiting full screen mode on your Mac, try restarting it. This can help resolve any issues you may be experiencing with full screen mode, and allow you to start fresh.
7. Seek Professional Help
If you’re still having difficulties exiting full screen mode and other Mac-related issues, don’t hesitate to ask a professional for help. Consulting with an Apple Support professional can help you resolve any technical issues you may be experiencing.
8. Stay Up-to-Date with Latest Mac Products and Features
Following relevant Mac news and keeping your software and hardware up-to-date can help avoid potential technical difficulties regarding full screen mode and other Mac features.
9. Have Patience and Practice Regularly
Patience is key, as it is with most things. Regularly practicing different methods and familiarizing yourself with different features so that you can exit full screen mode efficiently
10. Save Your Work
Always save any work you may be doing before exiting fullscreen mode, as it helps to prevent losing any data and avoid possible frustrations that may occur.
Advantages and Disadvantages of How to Get Out of Fullscreen on Mac
Advantages
1. Allows you to easily toggle between full screen and normal mode.
2. Helps you to maintain focus and reduce distraction from other applications.
3. Allows you to have multiple windows open and easily switch between them.
4. Makes it easier to navigate and access the menu bar.
5. Enables you to share your screen more efficiently during video calls or presentations.
6. Can help to reduce eye strain and fatigue.
7. Improves overall productivity as you can see more of your work at once.
8. Provides a better user experience as it’s more intuitive to use.
9. Helps you to manage your screen real estate more effectively.
10. Saves you time by eliminating the need to manually adjust window size and location.
Disadvantages
1. Can be confusing for new users who are not familiar with the shortcut key or gesture to exit fullscreen mode.
2. May cause compatibility issues with some apps that are not optimized for fullscreen mode.
3. Can make it more challenging to multitask if you have a smaller screen size or limited desktop space.
4. May require additional steps to adjust window size and location if you have multiple monitors or external displays.
5. Can be less efficient if you have to constantly exit fullscreen mode to access other applications or features.
6. May cause lag or reduced performance if you have a lower-end computer or outdated hardware.
7. Can be frustrating if you accidentally enter fullscreen mode and don’t know how to exit it.
8. May require customization options or third-party software to optimize your experience.
9. Can be less compatible with older versions of Mac OS or other operating systems.
10. May not work as effectively for certain types of work such as graphic design or video editing.
FAQ
1. How do I exit fullscreen mode on my Mac?
To exit fullscreen mode on your Mac, you can press the Esc key on your keyboard or move your mouse to the top of the screen and click on the green button in the top-left corner of the window.
2. What if the green button doesn’t exit fullscreen mode?
If the green button doesn’t exit fullscreen mode, try using the shortcut Control + Command + F on your keyboard or swiping down with four fingers on your trackpad if you have one.
3. What if I can’t see the top of my screen to exit fullscreen mode?
If you can’t see the top of your screen to exit fullscreen mode, move your cursor to the bottom of the screen and wait for the dock to appear. Then, move your cursor to the top of the screen to access the menu bar and exit fullscreen mode.
4. Can I customize the shortcut keys to exit fullscreen mode?
Yes, you can customize the shortcut keys by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts and adding a new shortcut for the Exit Full Screen command.
5. Will exiting fullscreen mode save any changes I made?
Exiting fullscreen mode will not save any changes you made while in fullscreen mode unless you save them manually. Be sure to save any changes or work before exiting fullscreen mode.
6. Can I exit fullscreen mode on any application?
If an application can go into fullscreen mode, it can typically exit fullscreen mode using the same methods mentioned above. However, some applications may have their own unique methods for exiting fullscreen mode.
7. Can I set my Mac to automatically exit fullscreen mode?
Yes, you can set your Mac to automatically exit fullscreen mode by going to System Preferences > Mission Control and checking the box next to “Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use”.
8. Why won’t my Mac exit fullscreen mode?
If your Mac won’t exit fullscreen mode, it may be due to a software issue or a problem with the application you’re using. Try restarting your computer or force-quitting the application.
9. What is the shortcut to toggle fullscreen mode?
The shortcut to toggle fullscreen mode is Control + Command + F on your keyboard.
10. What if I accidentally entered fullscreen mode?
If you accidentally entered fullscreen mode, you can use the methods mentioned above to exit fullscreen mode or press the Control + Command + F shortcut key again to toggle fullscreen mode off.
11. How can I tell if an application is in fullscreen mode?
An application in fullscreen mode will usually have a grey menu bar and may have a green button in the top-left corner that expands the window to fullscreen mode.
12. Can I still use other applications while in fullscreen mode?
Yes, you can still use other applications while in fullscreen mode by using the Mission Control feature or by using split screen mode.
13. How do I access the desktop while in fullscreen mode?
To access the desktop while in fullscreen mode, move your mouse to the bottom of the screen, wait for the dock to appear, and then click on the desktop icon in the dock.
How to Get Out of Fullscreen in Mac
Being stuck in fullscreen mode on your Mac can be a frustrating experience, especially for those who are not familiar with the process to exit out of it. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry! In this article, we will guide you through the steps to get out of fullscreen in Mac.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several methods to get out of fullscreen in Mac. The easiest way is to click on the green button in the top left corner of the window, which will toggle between fullscreen and normal mode. However, if this doesn’t work, you can try using keyboard shortcuts or Mission Control to exit out of fullscreen. Remember, the process may differ depending on the version of Mac operating system you are using, so it’s important to refer to the documentation for specific instructions.
Closing
We hope this article has provided you with the information you need to successfully exit out of fullscreen in Mac. Don’t let this issue frustrate you anymore – with these quick and easy steps, you’ll be able to get back to using your Mac in no time. Happy computing!
Until next time, stay tech-savvy!