The Disorienting Desktop Shuffle
macOS allows you to create multiple virtual desktops, known as “Spaces,” to organize your workflow. By default, macOS employs a feature that attempts to be helpful: it automatically rearranges the order of your Spaces based on how recently you used them. If you are working in Space 4 and switch to Space 1, Space 4 might secretly slide into the Space 2 position so it is closer to your current location.
For users who rely on spatial memory—knowing exactly that the web browser is always one swipe to the left, and the music player is always two swipes to the right—this automatic rearranging is incredibly frustrating. It causes your desktops to constantly shuffle around, breaking your muscle memory and forcing you to hunt for your applications. You can force macOS to lock your Spaces in the exact order you arranged them.
How to Disable Automatic Spaces Rearranging
You can turn off this behavior in the Desktop & Dock settings.
- Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of the menu bar and select System Settings… (or System Preferences on older versions).
- Scroll down the left-hand sidebar and select Desktop & Dock (or click “Mission Control” if you are on an older version of macOS).
- Scroll down the right-hand pane to find the Mission Control section at the very bottom.
- Look for the toggle switch labelled Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use.
- Toggle the switch to the Off position (or uncheck the box).
From now on, your virtual desktops will remain exactly where you put them. If you open Mission Control (swiping up with three or four fingers) and drag a Space to a specific position in the top bar, it will stay in that position permanently, regardless of how often you use it.