Stage Manager is a window management feature introduced by macOS Ventura 13 to improve multitasking efficiency by focusing on current tasks and quickly accessing other tasks. It centers the window in use, and other windows are arranged in thumbnails on the left, suitable for Macs equipped with M1 or updated chips. Enable it is to enter System Settings → Desktop and Screen Saver → Check "Use Stage Manager to Organize Window". Its main uses include focusing on current tasks, quickly switching applications, and realizing orderly home screen and free layout of secondary screens on external displays. Usage tips include dragging the window to the left, clicking on the main area to hide the list, and automatically classifying the window group in the system, but some third-party applications may be incompatible. If it is not suitable, the function can be turned off at any time.

Stage Manager is a new feature introduced in macOS Ventura 13 to help users better organize and manage multiple windows that open on their desktop. It is not a virtual desktop tool in the traditional sense, but a side window management system that allows you to place the window you are currently using on the home screen while neatly arranged on the left side, so you can quickly switch when needed.

Although it sounds a bit like a "split screen", Stage Manager's logic is more inclined to "focus on the current task and quickly access other tasks."

How to enable Stage Manager?

To use Stage Manager, you must first make sure that your Mac supports this feature. Currently it is only suitable for Mac devices equipped with Apple M1 or newer chips (including M1, M2, M3 series).

The enable method is as follows:

• Open System Settings
• Enter Desktop & Screen Saver
• Check Use Stage Manager to organize windows

Once enabled, you will find that the desktop layout has changed significantly: the current application will be displayed in a center, and other open windows are ranked on the left in the form of thumbnails.

What is Stage Manager useful?

Its main function is to help you reduce window chaos and improve multi-task efficiency. The following are several practical application scenarios:

• Focus on the current task : When you are writing a document or making a demonstration, Stage Manager will automatically enlarge the current window and juxtapose it, making it more visually immersive.
• Quickly switch applications : The windows listed on the left are all the applications you are running. Click to switch. You don’t need to press Command Tab frequently or search in Dock.
• External monitors are better : If you connect the second screen, Stage Manager will only take effect on the main screen, and the secondary screen will remain freely arranged, so that the division of labor is clearer.

But it should be noted that Stage Manager is not suitable for everyone. For example, users who like to freely place windows and often use multiple windows to work side by side may feel that it limits the freedom of operation.

Tips and precautions for use

Here are some practical tips to help you better adapt to Stage Manager:

• ??Drag the window into the Stage Manager area : You can manually drag a window from the main area to the left list to make it a background task.
• ? Hide the left window list : Click the home screen area, and the left window list will temporarily close, making the desktop cleaner.
• ? There are too many windows automatically classified into groups : When there are many applications opened, the system will automatically classify the windows of the same application into a group for easy identification.
• ? Some applications may be incompatible : Currently, some third-party applications behave abnormally under Stage Manager, such as failure to display the window correctly or stuttering when switching.

If you find that Stage Manager is not suitable for you, you can go back to the system settings to turn it off at any time.

Basically that's it. Stage Manager is a new idea to try to solve the problem of "too many windows are difficult to manage". Although it is not perfect enough, it can indeed improve efficiency in the right scenario. If you are using a supported model, you might as well try to see if it is suitable for you.

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