Changing macOS app launching behavior to remember click order

I frequently run into this issue when launching applications on my computer.


I will double click to launch any application, since there is a delay I start doing something else.

One or two seconds later the application opens and moves focus/attention to the front of the screen.

I can't really describe it well, but basically I would like the OS to remember the order of clicks.


Current behavior is something like:

  1. click to launch xcode
  2. click to an already-open messages conversation
  3. Xcode opens
  4. Now I'm responding to a text in xcode


Ideal behavior:

  1. click to launch xcode
  2. click to an already-open messages conversation
  3. Xcode opens in background
  4. I'm still responding to my text


If I don't click on anything, xcode can still open on top.



I get that this is a 'design' change and people are afraid of new default behavior but please give us a setting to toggle this at the very least.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: macOS app launching behavior

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Aug 21, 2025 10:48 AM

Reply
2 replies

Aug 21, 2025 10:51 AM in response to Buquicchionis

Buquicchionis wrote:

1. I frequently run into this issue when launching applications on my computer.

I will double click to launch any application, since there is a delay I start doing something else.
One or two seconds later the application opens and moves focus/attention to the front of the screen.



I get that this is a 'design' change and people are afraid of new default behavior but please give us a setting to toggle this at the very least.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.6


seems normal...


To be proactive you can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple


The current stable release of Sequoia including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 15.6.1

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Changing macOS app launching behavior to remember click order

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