Switch Spaces instantly without the slide animation
macOS has no setting that removes the slide between desktops. The closest built-in option, Reduce motion, swaps the slide for a short fade, so the switch still takes a moment. To switch with no animation you need a tool that triggers the switch another way. Spacepal does this with ⌃⌥1 to ⌃⌥0, and you don't have to turn off System Integrity Protection.
Why does switching desktops feel slow?
Every switch macOS makes, whether from ⌃←/⌃→, a three- or four-finger swipe, or clicking a desktop in Mission Control, plays the same sideways slide. That's fine now and then. If you jump between desktops dozens of times an hour, the delay adds up, and some people find the motion uncomfortable.
Does "Reduce motion" make switching instant?
No. Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Display and turn on Reduce motion. The slide becomes a cross-fade. It's easier on the eyes, but there's still a short transition before the new desktop is usable. The setting also changes animations elsewhere in macOS, which you may or may not want.
Is there a defaults command to turn the animation off?
We don't know of a supported defaults write key that removes the Spaces slide on macOS 14 through 26. Tips you find online usually target other animations (Dock, Mission Control opening, window resizing) or much older macOS versions. Some tools remove the slide by patching the Dock, which means turning off System Integrity Protection. We don't recommend that for a daily-use Mac.
What helps with built-in shortcuts?
Shortcuts don't get rid of the animation, but they do skip the steps in between. By default ⌃← and ⌃→ move one desktop at a time. macOS also has Switch to Desktop 1, Switch to Desktop 2 and so on, which jump straight to a desktop. They're off by default:
- Open System Settings > Keyboard and click Keyboard Shortcuts…
- Choose Mission Control in the sidebar.
- Expand Mission Control and tick Switch to Desktop 1, 2, and so on (default keys ⌃1, ⌃2 …).
Only desktops that exist right now are listed, so if you add a desktop later, come back and turn on its shortcut. These jumps still play the slide.
How does Spacepal switch with no animation?
Spacepal sends macOS the same trackpad swipe event the Dock already understands, completed at once. The Dock changes desktops without playing the slide. No system files are modified and SIP stays on. In Settings, General, the switching method is called Instant, and it's the default. The other option, Classic, presses the built-in Mission Control shortcuts and plays the normal animation.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌃⌥1 … ⌃⌥0 | Go straight to Space 1 to 10. Press it again to return to where you were. |
| ⌃⌥← ⌃⌥→ | Previous or next Space, wrapping around at the ends |
| ⌃⌥` | The last Space you were on |
| ⌥Tab | Overview of every Space with previews; pick one by number, arrow keys or by typing its name |
You can change the modifier keys in Settings, Shortcuts. The full list is in Keyboard shortcuts. Spacepal needs macOS 14 or later, plus Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions.
What if Spacepal still plays the slide?
When instant switching can't run (usually because Accessibility isn't granted), Spacepal falls back to the built-in "Switch to Desktop" shortcuts, and those animate. Check Settings, Setup, and turn on the Switch to Desktop shortcuts as described above so the fallback has something to press. Details are in Troubleshooting.
Related guides
- Every Spaces keyboard shortcut on macOS, and how to add more
- Move a window to another desktop with a shortcut
Summary
- macOS always animates desktop switches. There's no setting to remove the slide.
- Reduce motion (System Settings > Accessibility > Display) turns the slide into a fade, not an instant switch.
- The built-in "Switch to Desktop N" shortcuts are off by default and only cover desktops that already exist.
- Spacepal switches instantly with ⌃⌥1…⌃⌥0 using a synthetic gesture, with no SIP changes.
Written by Dan Bayer, developer of Spacepal. Last updated 2026-10-27.