How to make Mac apps reopen their windows
2 min read · 3 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, scroll to Windows and switch off Close windows when quitting an application. Apps then restore their open documents and windows when you open them again.
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26
- App
- System Settings
- Path
- System Settings › Desktop & Dock › Windows
- Real screenshots
- 3 of 3 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
With Close windows when quitting an application on, an app starts empty: the windows you had open do not come back. The note under the switch says so. Switch it off if you want to carry on where you stopped.
The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.
Step by step
Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar
It is below Appearance. You may need to scroll down in the sidebar.
Scroll to Windows and switch off Close windows when quitting an application
In the picture it is on. The note reads: when enabled, open documents and windows will not be restored when you re-open an application.
Good to know
The switch above it makes the Mac ask before saving: how to make a Mac ask before saving changes.
In short: System Settings, Desktop & Dock, Windows, Close windows when quitting an application off.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.