Mac OS 26- Icons in dock single click

This is one of those small but annoying things. In previous versions of macOS, I could single-click an application in the Dock and it would bring up its window (and space, if applicable).


In macOS Tahoe, if an app is already running and I single-click its Dock icon, the app is selected—the menu bar changes—but no window appears. I have to double-click the Dock icon to actually bring the window forward.


For example:

  • Mail is running, collapsed in the Dock
  • I click the Mail icon: it shows as selected, the menu bar says Mail
  • But no Mail window opens
  • If I double-click the Dock icon, then the window/space appears


I’m wondering if there’s a setting in System Settings that changed or got reset. Right now, this behavior is super annoying

MacBook Pro (M2, 2022)

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 6:49 AM

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Posted on Nov 5, 2025 3:10 PM

I've had same issue when I've updated to 26.1, reloads didn't help.


Running this helped

defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-auto-swoosh -bool true
killall Dock


My guess is there's a bug where the "When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application" setting in System Preferences isn't being applied.

10 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 5, 2025 3:10 PM in response to Mountainboy

I've had same issue when I've updated to 26.1, reloads didn't help.


Running this helped

defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-auto-swoosh -bool true
killall Dock


My guess is there's a bug where the "When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application" setting in System Preferences isn't being applied.

Nov 5, 2025 3:22 PM in response to Zheckan

Zheckan wrote:

I've had same issue when I've updated to 26.1, reloads didn't help.

A restart alone wouldn't help if there is a corrupt .plist. Booting into Safe Mode then resrating normally might. It fixes many .plist issues.

My guess is there's a bug where the "When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application" setting in System Preferences isn't being applied.

See above. If it was a "bug", it would be the same for everyone.

Sep 18, 2025 10:46 AM in response to Mountainboy

Mountainboy wrote:

• This is one of those small but annoying things. In previous versions of macOS, I could single-click an application in the Dock and it would bring up its window (and space, if applicable).

In macOS Tahoe, if an app is already running and I single-click its Dock icon, the app is selected—the menu bar changes—but no window appears. I have to double-click the Dock icon to actually bring the window forward.

For example:
Mail is running, collapsed in the Dock
• I click the Mail icon: it shows as selected, the menu bar says Mail
• But no Mail window opens
• If I double-click the Dock icon, then the window/space appears

I’m wondering if there’s a setting in System Settings that changed or got reset. Right now, this behavior is super annoying


hmmm...


Have you shut down and restarted more than once since your upgraded macOS...


it is not a setting issue.


I can still single click open app on the Dock(?) —it is spotlight search where now I have to double click :(


for your window issue—

You can quit the problem apps and relaunch them holding the Shift key down and compare your results




Sep 18, 2025 11:23 AM in response to Mountainboy

I'm also not seeing the behavior you describe. For example with the Mail open, a single click on the dock icon takes me to the Mail app if I'm in a different Space. If the app is hidden, a single click of the dock icon shows it. If all Mail windows are closed, a single click of the dock icon opens the main Mail window. In Preview, if I click on the dock icon the app becomes active and if no windows were open, I see the Open dialog presented.

Mac OS 26- Icons in dock single click

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