Where emailed links to websites open in Safari when using Spaces

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Level 1

4 points

Where emailed links to websites open in Safari when using Spaces

I use a MacBook Pro (M2 series) in Sonoma 14.6.1. I have a number of spaces set up to organize my activities, 4 or 5 of which have open Safari windows with pertinent web pages left open in tabs. I read Mail in Space 1. I also have a Safari window open in that space so that clicking on emailed links doesn't take me off to another space but instead opens a tab in the Space 1 window. That approach seemed to work for a while, but recently, when I click on a link in Mail, I hurtle off to a Safari window in another Space (Space 4 as it happens). The window that links are currently opened in is not the latest window I've read or opened. It's a window that stays open all the time but gets refreshed frequently to show latest results. I've used various strategies to coax Mail (or Safari) to resume opening links in the Space 1 Safari window, but have yet to be successful.

Is there a way to get links to open where I want them to (apart from copy-paste)? I gather Safari (or is it Mail) uses some algorithm to decide where to open emailed links but that it can't be modified by users. I've never seen any discussion of how its behavior might be affected by the use of Spaces.

So, my questions: A) Does anyone know what the algorithm is? and/or B) Is there any procedure that might produce the results I want?

Posted on Oct 14, 2024 6:14 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,038 points

Oct 18, 2024 4:18 AM in response to snewzy

Work in multiple spaces on Mac - Apple Support

It is true that when I restart my computer, the Safari windows that were open when I shut down open in just one of the Spaces rather than distributing themselves in the Spaces where I put them.

I don’t know the answer to that, but I think the document windows will reopen in the same Desktop as long as you don’t close them. If you’ve disabled Resume by enabling Close windows when Quitting an app, they will be closed when you restart.

I have never payed much attention to that because I don’t expect it since document windows cannot be assigned to a Desktop.

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Answer 2

snewzy Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 17, 2024 10:14 PM in response to Barney-15E

Hi Barney-15E

Thanks for your suggestion.

I'm unfamiliar with the notion of "assigning" things (apps, documents) to Spaces. Is this something that is adjustable through settings? I haven't seen it. I only know that you can create as many Spaces (or Desktops) as you like, and open whatever you want to open in each one. I organize mine not by app (like having a Space just for using Safari) but by activity/area of interest. That's why there are specific different Safari windows open in about half of my customary Spaces. There may also be also different specific Word, Pages or Preview documents in the different Spaces.

It is true that when I restart my computer, the Safari windows that were open when I shut down open in just one of the Spaces rather than distributing themselves in the Spaces where I put them. Maybe that's what you mean by Apps being assigned to a Desktop? But I'm unaware of a special process for assigning Safari to all Desktops. Sounds like it could be helpful though. Love to know how to try your idea.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,038 points

Oct 14, 2024 6:22 PM in response to snewzy

Document windows are not assigned to "Spaces" (aka "Desktops"). Apps are assigned to a Desktop.

If you assign Safari to "All Desktops" then it might open in the current Desktop. I don't know.

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