Forum Discussion
I can't switch back to Teams chat with Alt+Tab on Mac
I can't switch back to Teams chat with Alt+Tab on Mac, becose Teams have two windows: the chat and the Microsoft Teams Notification. Microsoft Teams Notification is the default window, and this window is nowhere, and can't close.
Very frustrating.
Test your apps Microsoft!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, I found a "solution" to force Teams to use the notifications.
Simple version:
01. You go to your teams https://teams.microsoft.com02. When it asks for notifications, give the permission and that's it.
As an App in your dock:
02. You copy the URL from your logged-in teams-tab (01.)
03. You install Epichrome
(Very useful, you can wrap a Website as a App and it appears in the dock. Basically is MS doing the same with their "App" except it uses Electron, Epichrome uses Chrome or Brave.)
04. Start it, go through the wizard, when it asks for the URL, give your Teams-URL and a fine name for it.
(Icon can be automatically downloaded)
05. Start the new app, log in, give permission for notifications. Since it is basically a browser, it is forced to use the default MacOS Notifications. Alt-Tab works again.
Alternatively, there is a way to make a WebApp with chrome. But I never use chrome.
130 Replies
This has been bugging me forever. App switching is so basic!
But it's currently working for me after I went to Settings --> General --> and checked Disable GPU hardware acceleration
the_krkn The solution you have provided seems to be working for me ! So thanks a lot !!
- Best answer yet! Seems to work for me.
Teams on a second desktop and I can CMD+TAB to it now for he first time ever.
Same problem. Enough to drive me MAD!!
Used to be the 'Notification Window' causing the problem. Then 4 years in the making and they FINALLY integrated Mac notifications instead. But this still didn't fix this infuriating bug.
Cant believe you can have a search youtube from chat, but cant reply to a message or CMD + Tab to the window. Mind blowingOk, I found a "solution" to force Teams to use the notifications.
Simple version:
01. You go to your teams https://teams.microsoft.com02. When it asks for notifications, give the permission and that's it.
As an App in your dock:
02. You copy the URL from your logged-in teams-tab (01.)
03. You install Epichrome
(Very useful, you can wrap a Website as a App and it appears in the dock. Basically is MS doing the same with their "App" except it uses Electron, Epichrome uses Chrome or Brave.)
04. Start it, go through the wizard, when it asks for the URL, give your Teams-URL and a fine name for it.
(Icon can be automatically downloaded)
05. Start the new app, log in, give permission for notifications. Since it is basically a browser, it is forced to use the default MacOS Notifications. Alt-Tab works again.
Alternatively, there is a way to make a WebApp with chrome. But I never use chrome.I see the same behaviour as well. Maddening! Norbiprg
Norbiprg It seems the bug happens when Teams creates its own notification popup. That "window" never goes away. You can see this by making Teams main window in foreground, menu bar -> window. You can see 2 listed windows: <current chat title> | Microsoft Teams and a "Microsoft Teams Notification" window. It's this notification window that I think is "active" on every desktop, so that's why alt-tab fails to work. It already thinks it has switched desktops to the correct one.
Not sure why teams can't just use built in Mac notifications. It's probably some marketing decision to keep the "look and feel" separate from Mac OS.
- Yes agreed, this is exactly the issue, drives me mad, Microsoft, please fix this issue!
hartmms This is exactly the issue. And it still constantly drives me nuts, as I use multiple desktops, and can't switch to the main Teams window with Alt-Tab, because of the Microsoft Teams Notification (invisible) window, which exists on every desktop.
I always need to Alt-Tab to Teams, then go up to the Teams > Window menu, and select the other window to locate my main Teams window. We constantly use Teams at my organization, so I am always needing to switch back and forth.
It annoys me to no end.
Does no one from Microsoft ever chime into these discussions on these forums? Is there a place to file a bug report?
Norbiprg hartmms Here is a partial solution, using a feature that I didn't know existed. When you Cmd-Tab to Teams, press the up or down arrow on the app selection before you let go of Cmd. This shows all application windows for Teams (including the invisible one 🙂 ) and you can select the correct Teams window using the right/left arrow keys.
- I went in and disabled GPU and unchecked New meeting experience - I no longer have a Notification Window...
Alt - Tab works again.- That's perfect, just check "Disable GPU hardware acceleration" on Teams settings and restart it, works perfectly. Thank you! Saving a lot of time!
D_Claxton wow - thanks for the tip. This has been bugging me for years. I thought it was something that I would have to continue living with. Alt-tabbing on the Mac is how I jump around everything and this issue severely slowed me down.
- Excellent. But. How about if I need the GPU?
