Wish you could find Finder faster? Want to switch to macOS Finder without taking the hands off the keyboard? Find out here how to open Finder on a Mac with a custom keyboard shortcut ⤓ or, if you prefer, nimbly with the mouse.
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How to Open Finder on a Mac: Using a Custom Keyboard Shortcut
Set Up a True Mac Finder Keyboard Shortcut
In Shortcuts
Time needed: 4 minutes
To set up a keyboard shortcut to open Finder on a Mac using macOS:
- Open Shortcuts.
Here’s how: You can find Shortcuts using Spotlight, for instance, or open it from Launchpad.
- Create a new shortcut.
Here’s how: Press Command N or select File | New Shortcut from the menu.
- Add the Run AppleScript action to the new shortcut.
Finding Run AppleScript: You can find the action in the Scripting category.
- Enter a name for your action over Run AppleScript on top.
Example: You can use something like
Switch to Finder, for instance. - Replace (* Your script goes here *) with
tell application "Finder" to activate.
- Go to the Shortcut Details tab in the right sidebar.
- Click Add Keyboard Shortcut.
- Press the keys you want to press for opening Finder.
- Example: You can use Command Option Shift F.
- Close the action and, if you like, test the keyboard shortcut.
Finder now at your finger’s command?
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In Automator
To create your own keyboard shortcut for opening Finder on a Mac using Automator:
- Open Automator.
Using Spotlight: For example, press Command Space for Spotlight, start searching forautomatorand press Enter with Automator highlighted. - On the new document screen in Automator, highlight Quick Action.
No Quick Action: If Quick Action is not available, pick Service.
No new document screen: Press Command N. - Click Choose.
- Select no input for Workflow receives current and any application.
The default: By default, Automatic (text) is selected for the input. - Select Actions on the left.
- Search for Launch Application in the Actions Library.
- Drag and drop Launch Application to the workflow on the right.
- Click Contacts (or whatever application is the default choice).
- Select New variable… from the list.
- Leave Path: as the variable’s name.
- Click Desktop under Path:.
- Choose Other….
- Search for Finder.
Finder location: The Finder app is in /System/Library/CoreServices. - Highlight Finder and click Choose.
- Now click Done for the variable.
Test: To test the opening Finder action, click Run.
- Select File | Save… from the menu.
- Type
Open Finderunder Save quick action as: - Click Save.
- Open System Settings (or Preferences)
- Go to the Keyboard category.
- Click Keyboard Shortcuts.
Monterey: In macOS Monterey and earlier, go to the Shortcuts tab. - Highlight Services on the left.
- Now click the Open Finder item under General.
- Click Add Shortcut.
- Type whichever keyboard combination you want to use for your Finder shortcut.
Example: Use Command Option Shift F, for instance. - Press Command Option Shift F (or your pick for the Finder keyboard shortcut) to open the default folder in Finder.
Finder already open: If Finder already has a window open, it will be brought to the front.
New window: To get a new Finder window once Finder is in the front, press Command N.
More shortcuts
Open folders (including hidden folders) in Finder using the keyboard
Open Finder from a Terminal window
How to Open Finder on a Mac: Using a Standard Keyboard Shortcut
You can also get to Finder using one of two standard shortcuts built into macOS:
- Finder is always in the list of open applications:
Press Tab while holding down the Command key until Finder is in focus, then let go.
- You can open Finder search using a keyboard shortcut:
Press Command Option Space to open a new search in Finder.
How to Open Finder on a Mac: Using the Mouse
To switch to or open Finder on your Mac with the mouse:
- Click Finder in the Dock.
No Dock: If you don’t see the Dock initially, move the mouse cursor to the very bottom of the screen and, in full screen mode, hold it there for a few seconds.
Not at the bottom: The Dock is not necessarily on the bottom; if you cannot find it there, try the left and right edges of the screen.
Alternative: You can also open the Downloads folder, for instance, from the Dock.
How to Use a Shortcut Key to Open Finder on a Mac: FAQ
Can I use the same steps to set up a keyboard shortcut for launching any application?
Yes.
Launching applications other than the Finder is easier even, though:
- Instead of setting the Path variable, choose the app from the applications drop-down menu when you create the quick action in Shortcuts or Automator.
(Tested with macOS Tahoe 26, Sequoia 15, Sonoma 14, Ventura 13, Monterey 12, and Big Sur 11; first published February 2021, last updated July 2026)