Unable to open/use any other app with Chrome running

erinpanderson wrote:

it's a really strange issue! yes, i'm running Big Sur 11.7.1.

i know my computer is old but feels like this should be resolvable.

happy to run any tests you can suggest to solve this!

To trouble shoot further you can:

 —A SafeBoot Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support will sort many anomalies

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled temporarily.

Login and test. Reboot  as normal and test.  Caches get rebuilt automatically.

This test will tell you if third party interference; most extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode. 

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

***wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries— connect the charging cable, this will make the wired keyboard successful Safe Boot your Mac.

unplug all non-essential  peripherals when testing

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

erinpanderson wrote:

I just started a new job that utilizes Gmail & Google Drive for everything, so using Chrome is best. However, whenever I try to open another app, Chrome remains the primary option, all other apps are greyed out and can't be clicked. In order to use any other app, I have to quit Chrome. It's incredibly frustrating!

I did confirm I should have enough disk space left. I do have a 15" 2014 MacBook Pro, so I know she's old but anything I can do?

Never heard this issue before.

a 2014 MBP ...

what macOS are you running?

note: The latest you can run is Big Sur 11.7.10