How to make Mac apps reopen their windows

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-make-mac-apps-reopen-their-windows/ · Checked October 2026 · MacBook Pro · macOS Tahoe 26

3 of 3 steps with real screenshots · 2 official sources below

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro)

App

System Settings

Path

System Settings › Desktop & Dock › Windows

Real screenshots

3 of 3 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open System Settings

   Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.

   Done

2. 

   Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar

   It is below Appearance. You may need to scroll down in the sidebar.

   Done

3. 

   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.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• macOS Monterey or earlier Apple says on versions before macOS Ventura the option is in System Preferences, General, as Close windows when quitting an app. Untick it there. Source: Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac
• Only one app forgets its windows Apple says some apps have their own setting for which windows they reopen. Safari, for example, has a setting for the windows it opens with. Source: Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac

If this does not work

• Windows still do not come back Apple says that if you hold Shift while opening an app, it forgets the windows that were open last time. Open it without holding Shift. Source: Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac
• Apps do not reopen after a restart That is a different setting. Apple says the Reopen windows when logging back in tick box in the shut down, restart or log out dialogue decides it. Source: Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac

About this guide

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.

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.