There are some times when it can be useful to have multiple copies of the same app opened simultaneously — not just a separate window but full variation of the app running alongside each other . Maybe you want to fructify up unlike desktops that have apps station there or have another grounds to access duplicate versions of the same app . Whatever the need , it can quickly become seeming that there ’s no obvious way to reach this goal .
But it is possible and not difficult at all . We show you a immediate and easy way to run multiple instance of the same app at the same time .
Can I just right-click on its icon?
While this might seem the most obvious road , it wo n’t do the prank , as you ’ll see there ’s no option to open up up the app . The same is reliable if you go to the menu barroom when the desired app is running , then pick out its name and search the drop - down menus . This is due to the fact that macOS is n’t really set up to open multiple versions of an app at the same time . alternatively , you ’ll have to manoeuver to the bid production line , although do n’t concern , it ’s not as regretful as it sound .
Use the Terminal app
The direction to get two versions of an app run at once is to apply the command line . This might sound daunting , but it ’s only a exclusive , uncomplicated channel of codification you need to enrol , and there ’s no danger of it breaking anything .
If you ’re someone who has n’t used the bid strain before ( which is dead normal ) then you could get to it by opening Spotlight and search for Terminal . When you see the app seem on the resolution inclination , select it and you ’ll see a windowpane open up with some code at the top .
Now , all you need to do is enter the follow command at the $ command prompt :
open up -n -a [ program name ]
So , for example , if you want two instances of Safari then you ’d typecast this :
Open -n -a safari
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Now you should see a 2d windowpane open that holds another copy of Safari . That ’s it . If you did n’t have Safari open when you typed the command , enroll the program line again to unfold the second version of Safari .
Now you’re able to use both versions of the app independently and at the same time . There are a few caveat though . If the app employs an autosave feature film , then macOS may get confused about which one is the authentic rendering . So , before you venture off on any lengthy or vital endeavors , such as spell that crucial business proposal in Pages , tick to see if your body of work is saved when you have two versions open .
Also , try set up a test text file or whatever it is you ’re working on , then close one instance of the app and see if its work was saved . It should be ok , but we would n’t want you to lose significant information by using this workaround , and it can act other than depending on which software you ’re using .
You could use multiple user accounts instead
If you do n’t want to mess up around with the command line or any problem that it might do in terms of saving data , then there is another pick . You could set up a second user visibility on your Mac and then interchange between them when you need to use the other representative of the app . It ’s quite a fast transition , so could be that you create a work and abode account that can access version of the same app in unlike places . you’re able to read about how to do this in ourhow to set up and manage user report on a Macguide .
