Where the warning appears
Warnings show up in two places, and only while there's a conflict:
- Flick's menu bar menu. A line with a warning sign near the top, such as “⌥Tab is in use by another app”. Point at it to read what it means; its submenu holds what you can do, and Shortcut Settings….
- Settings › Shortcuts. A Shortcut Conflicts group at the top, headed “Another app wants the same keys. Flick never reads or changes other apps' settings.” Each warning has its explanation and buttons.
There are two kinds of warning:
| Warning | What it means |
|---|---|
| ⌥Tab is in use by another app | Another app registered those keys before Flick, so Flick can't use them. The same warning can name ⌘Tab, your search shortcut, or ⌘` and ⌥` for the front app's windows. Flick learns only that the keys are taken, not which app took them. |
| App also uses ⌥Tab | A window switcher Flick recognizes is running, and its default shortcut is the same as Flick's (⌥Tab or ⌘Tab). Flick goes by that app's default, because it never reads another app's settings. |
A taken search shortcut means choosing another one: see change the search shortcut. A taken ⌘` or ⌥` can't be changed, only turned off, with Switch between the front app's windows in Settings › Shortcuts.
What each button does
A warning shows only the buttons that apply to it. App stands for the other app's name.
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Use ⌘Tab Instead | Moves Flick to ⌘Tab, the same as selecting Command ⌘ + Tab in Settings › Shortcuts. If Flick is on ⌘Tab, it reads Use ⌥Tab Instead. Offered only for the switcher shortcut, and not when another running switcher also uses the other trigger. |
| Quit App | Asks that app to quit, as if you'd quit it yourself. It's never a force quit, so the app can still ask you to save. Once it's gone, the warning clears and Flick tries again for any shortcut it couldn't get. |
| Don't Warn About App | Stops the warnings about that app, for when you've already changed its shortcut. In Settings › Shortcuts, a line then says “Warnings are off for App.” |
| Warn Again | In Settings › Shortcuts only: brings back every warning you turned off, while it still applies. |
| Shortcut Settings… | In the menu bar menu only: opens Settings › Shortcuts. |
Another switcher opens too
If ⌥Tab opens Flick and another switcher at the same time, the other app is most likely watching the keyboard directly instead of registering the shortcut, so it sees the keys even though Flick has them. If Flick recognizes the app, it shows an “App also uses ⌥Tab” warning about it. Either way, give each switcher its own keys:
- Change the shortcut in the other app, in its own settings.
- Move Flick to the other trigger with Use ⌘Tab Instead, or in Settings › Shortcuts. Choosing between ⌥Tab and ⌘Tab explains what Command mode takes over.
- Quit the switcher you don't use.
Two switchers on different keys can run side by side. If you're weighing up switchers, alternatives to the macOS app switcher compares several.
After you change the other app
Flick looks again whenever an app quits, when you open its menu bar menu, and when Settings › Shortcuts opens.
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Change the shortcut in the other app
Pick keys that aren't ⌥Tab or ⌘Tab, whichever Flick uses.
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Open Flick's menu bar menu
Or open Settings › Shortcuts. Flick tries again for any shortcut it couldn't get, and an “in use by another app” warning goes away once the keys are free.
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Turn off a warning that stays
An “App also uses ⌥Tab” warning is based on that app's default, so Flick can't see that you changed it. Click Don't Warn About App.
What Flick never does
- Read or change another app's settings. That's why a warning about a running switcher goes by its default shortcut.
- Quit another app on its own. Only when you click Quit App, and never as a force quit.
- Take a shortcut from another app. Whichever app registered the keys first keeps them; Flick waits until they're free.
A conflict that isn't Flick's?For two other apps fighting over a shortcut, or a macOS shortcut that stopped working, see how to find a keyboard shortcut conflict on Mac.
Questions
Why doesn't the warning say which app has ⌥Tab?
When Flick asks for ⌥Tab and the keys are taken, it learns only that they're taken. Look at window switchers, launchers and keyboard tools you have running. Quitting the right one clears the warning. Fix ⌥Tab doing nothing has the full checklist.
Do warnings I turned off come back after Reset All Settings?
No. Resetting keeps them off, so a reset doesn't bring back warnings you've dealt with. Click Warn Again in Settings › Shortcuts to see them again.
Can I use Flick and another window switcher together?
Yes, on different shortcuts. For example, keep the other app on ⌥Tab and put Flick on ⌘Tab, or the other way round.
Still stuck?Email [email protected] with your macOS version, your Mac and what you've tried, or visit the Support page.
