Stage Manager is Apple’s intuitive multitasking tool designed to help you focus and stay organized by grouping apps and windows. Introduced in macOS Ventura, it brings a fresh, minimal approach to juggling multiple tasks without cluttering your desktop.

Whether you’re a student juggling research tabs and documents, or a professional handling emails, spreadsheets, and Zoom calls, Stage Manager gives you quick visual access to your open apps while keeping your main workspace distraction-free.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to enable and use Stage Manager, customize your app groups, and make the most out of this productivity booster.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Enable Stage Manager
   • Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar.
   • Select Stage Manager (displayed as overlapping rectangles).
   • Toggle the switch to On.
   • Alternatively, go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Stage Manager and enable it.
2. Understand the Layout
   • Your main window stays center-stage.
   • Other open apps and windows appear as thumbnails on the left edge.
   • Click a thumbnail to bring that window to the center.
3. Switch Between Apps
   • Click any thumbnail in the left strip to switch to that app.
   • Use Command + Tab as usual for fast switching.
4. Group Windows Together
   • Drag one window over another thumbnail.
   • They form a group and appear together when activated.
   • Perfect for workflows like Mail + Calendar or Safari + Notes.
5. Remove an App from a Group
   • Click the grouped app.
   • Drag the app’s window out of the group and drop it elsewhere.
   • It will return to the left-hand side as a separate thumbnail.
6. Add New Apps to a Group
   • Open or switch to the app you want.
   • Drag its window onto an existing group thumbnail.
7. Customize Stage Manager Settings
   • Go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Stage Manager.
   • Choose whether to show recent apps, desktops, or hide windows.
   • Adjust settings for a cleaner or more comprehensive multitasking view.
8. Hide or Show the Stage Manager Sidebar
   • Move your pointer to the left edge of the screen.
   • Sidebar appears automatically.
   • Move away or click your main app window to hide it again.
9. Use with Multiple Displays
   • Stage Manager works independently on each display.
   • Set up distinct workflows on your MacBook and external monitor.
10. Disable Stage Manager
    • Revisit the Control Center and toggle Stage Manager Off.

Pro Tips & Workflow Improvements

• Use Split View with Stage Manager: Create side-by-side app pairings within groups.
• Command-click App Thumbnails: Quickly preview without bringing them forward.
• Name App Groups (with third-party apps): Use tools like Mission Control Plus to label workflows.
• Create Keyboard Shortcuts: Use Shortcuts app to automate toggling Stage Manager.
• Combine with Focus Modes: Tie Stage Manager setups to Focus for tailored workflows.

Advanced Use Case

Create Automated Workflows with Shortcuts
You can use the Shortcuts app to open specific apps and arrange them in Stage Manager. For example, create a “Work Mode” shortcut that opens Mail, Calendar, and Slack, then groups them for immediate use.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• Stage Manager not showing in Control Center?
  • Make sure you’re running macOS Ventura or later.
  • Check System Settings > Control Center > Stage Manager to re-enable it.
• Missing app windows? They might be hidden in a group. Click through thumbnails.
• App doesn’t group as expected? Ensure you’re dragging the window, not the app icon.
• Performance issues? Restart your Mac or disable Stage Manager temporarily.
• Using with Mission Control or Spaces: Stage Manager can coexist with Spaces but might behave unexpectedly—test setups to suit your workflow.

Conclusion

Mastering Stage Manager can dramatically boost your multitasking efficiency on macOS. With just a few clicks, you can organize your workspace, reduce distraction, and switch between tasks smoothly.

Try integrating Stage Manager with Focus modes or Shortcuts for a seamless, customized productivity setup. Next up, explore our guide on using Split View on macOS to further enhance your multitasking experience.