You can quickly view the desktop on a Mac using a keyboard shortcut, making a specific gesture on the trackpad, or creating a custom shortcut.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Keyboard Shortcut
Step 1. Press Fn + F11 to display the desktop immediately.
Alternatively, you can press ⌘ Command + F3
Method 2 of 3: Making a Gesture on the Trackpad
Step 1. Place your thumb and first three fingers on the trackpad
Make sure you have a window open, such as a browser, from which to switch to the desktop.
Step 2. Expand your thumb and three fingers to reveal the desktop
- To see a demonstration of this gesture, click on the Apple icon at the top left of the menu bar.
- Click on System Preferences.
- Click on the trackpad icon.
- Click on More gestures.
- Click on "Show desktop". A sample movie will play on the right side of the window.
Method 3 of 3: Adding a Custom Keyboard Shortcut
Step 1. Click on the Apple icon in the top menu bar
If you want to create a custom keyboard shortcut for quick access to the desktop, just open the shortcut menu.
Step 2. Click on System Preferences
Step 3. Click on the keyboard icon
Step 4. Click on Abbreviations
Step 5. Click on Mission Control
It is located on the left side of the window.
Step 6. Click Show Desktop on the right side of the window
Step 7. Click again to highlight the keystroke text
Step 8. Type your custom keyboard shortcut
If you use an "F" function key, you will need to hold down the Fn key to type the command
Step 9. Click on the red "X" button
The keyboard shortcut will have been saved!
