The macOS environment is full of shortcuts and gestures you can use to perform useful tasks. One of these is simply named "Show Desktop." When you’ve got a whole heap of application windows open, this handy function can save you valuable time.

What Does This Mean?

First, let’s be clear what we’re talking about here. Showing your desktop is like temporarily spreading all your application windows out of the way so you can view the desktop behind.

It's easy to do, then undo. You can get everything out of the way, perform a quick task, then get back to whatever you were doing.

If you’re using multiple monitors, showing the desktop will work on all of them simultaneously.

A clear macOS desktop with application windows hidden off the edges

Why Would You Want to Do That?

Showing your desktop gives you access to two resources:

  • Your desktop, including its icons and its context menu.
  • The Finder app, including existing Finder windows and desktop folders.

Bearing that in mind, you can use this feature to complete various tasks, including:

  • Moving an icon on your desktop.
  • Moving, deleting, or creating files and folders.
  • Accessing the context menu to change your desktop preferences.

Because this method is so quick, you can use it to speed up tasks involving several files or applications. Imagine you’re working on a project involving several files in a folder on your desktop. With fast access to that folder, you can check file sizes, reorganize the structure, or share files between applications.

OK, How Do You Do It?

You can use various methods, depending on what works best for you. Each acts as a toggle, alternating between showing your desktop and hiding it. None of them work while you have an app in full-screen mode, however.

Use a Trackpad Gesture

Trackpad gestures can be difficult to describe, but we’ll have a go. This gesture works with a built-in MacBook trackpad or a separate Magic Trackpad.

  1. Place your thumb and three middle fingers close together on the trackpad.
  2. Keeping your three fingers together, spread your thumb away from them.

The gesture can take some practice to get right. It's worth it if you're a regular trackpad user, though.

macOS Trackpad gesture settings displaying the Show Desktop shortcut

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

There are two default keyboard shortcuts to show your desktop. Which one you use will depend on personal preference and your specific keyboard type. These two shortcuts are:

  • Cmd + F3
  • (Fn +) F11 (your keyboard type determines whether you need to hold the Fn key to use the F11 shortcut)

If neither of these shortcuts takes your fancy, remember that you can create your own custom ones.

See also: Custom Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac You Should Start Using

Use Hot Corners

You can set up shortcuts that will activate when you move your mouse pointer to any of the four corners of your screen. Once more, personal preference will be a big factor in whether you decide on this option. Hot Corners can be very convenient, but accidentally setting them off can be annoying.

To set a Hot Corner to show your desktop:

  1. Open the System Preferences app.
  2. Select Desktop & Screen Saver.
  3. Click the Screen Saver tab.
  4. Click the Hot Corners button.
  5. Select “Desktop” for any corner.
macOS Hot Corner settings with Desktop selected as the top left action

What Do I Do When I’m Done?

Once you’re done showing your desktop, you’ll want to hide it again. Doing this will restore all your windows to their previous state.

Showing your desktop is a toggle command, so whatever method you used, repeating it will hide your desktop again. In the case of gestures, you’ll need to perform the opposite action. This means bringing your fingers and thumb back together again.

You can also click on any of the surrounding windows that represent your open applications. These appear as thin strips around the edge of your screen. It doesn’t matter which of these you click on, they’ll all restore your windows to their previous state.

Alternatively, you can use the application switcher (Cmd + Tab) to activate any application other than Finder. This will bring that application to the front and hide the desktop once more.

Show Your Mac Desktop for Quick Access

Whether you want to work with files, or just hide whatever’s on your screen, showing your desktop is quick and easy. After all, if you've taken the time to set up a beautiful custom wallpaper, why not show it off once in a while?