Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Hop, the free alt-tab replacement for Mac.
What is Hop?
Hop is a free window switcher for macOS that replaces Cmd+Tab with a live visual grid of all your open windows. Instead of cycling through a list of app icons, you see every window at a glance and jump to the one you need instantly.
How is Hop different from Cmd+Tab?
The built-in Cmd+Tab only shows app icons and cycles through them one by one. Hop shows live thumbnails of every individual window — so if you have three Chrome windows open, you see all three and can pick the right one. It's closer to how Alt+Tab works on Windows, but designed for macOS.
Is Hop really free?
Yes, 100%. No trial, no subscription, no paywall, no account required. Every feature is included. We believe a window switcher should be a basic utility, not a recurring charge.
Which macOS versions does Hop support?
Hop works on macOS 12.3 (Monterey) and later, including macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 14 Sonoma, macOS 15 Sequoia, and macOS 26. It runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Does Hop work with multiple monitors?
Yes. Hop works across all your displays. The switcher appears on the screen where your cursor is, and you can see and switch to windows on any monitor. If you prefer, there is an option to always show the switcher on your primary screen instead.
Does Hop work with fullscreen apps and Spaces?
Yes. Hop detects windows across all Spaces, including fullscreen apps. Selecting a fullscreen window switches you to its Space automatically.
Does Hop collect any data?
Hop collects minimal anonymous telemetry (app version, macOS version, and usage counts) to help us improve the app. No personal data, no window titles, no screenshots, and no browsing history are ever collected or transmitted. See our Privacy Policy for details.
How do I use Hop?
Press Cmd+Tab to open the switcher. Keep holding Cmd and tap Tab to move forward. To go backward, press Cmd+Shift or Cmd+Shift+Tab — both work. You can also use your mouse to hover and click. Release Cmd to focus the selected window. That's it — no configuration needed.
Can I close windows from the switcher?
Yes. Hover over any window thumbnail and click the close button that appears in the top-right corner. If it's the last window for that app, the app quits entirely.
Does Hop replace the system Cmd+Tab?
Yes. Once running, Hop intercepts Cmd+Tab and shows its own switcher instead of the macOS default. If you quit Hop, the system switcher comes back.
Why does Hop need Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions?
Accessibility permission lets Hop detect which windows are open and focus them when you switch. Screen Recording permission lets Hop capture live thumbnails of your windows. Both are required by macOS for any app that reads window information.