Safari Resources – Maximize Browser Window to Full Screen

Updated April 2025

Maximize or Minimize Safari & Application Windows

macOS Recent Versions

Since 2018 and forward, Apple has finally included native Maximize and Minimize features in macOS.

On your Mac, do any of the following in a window:

Maximize a window: Hold the pointer over the green button in the top-left corner of an app window, then click below Fill & Arrange, or press Fn-Control-F. To return to the previous window size, Option-click the button again.If you want to double-click a window’s title bar to maximize it, make sure “Double-click a window’s title bar to” is set to Fill in Desktop & Dock settings.

Minimize a window: Click the yellow minimize button in the top-left corner of the window, or press Command-M.You can set an option in Desktop & Dock settings to have a window minimize when you double-click its title bar.

Most windows can be manually resized. Drag the window’s edge (top, bottom, or sides) or double-click an edge to expand that side of the window.

Source: Apple Support / macOS User Guide / Move and arrange app windows on Mac / Maximize or minimize app windows

macOS High Sierra, or older

For macOS High Sierra or older, Apple offered only “Full-screen” mode in Safari. In these earlier OSes, it was not natively possible to “maximize” the browser window in regular screen mode in certain versions of macOS. Here are some resources that help with that.

Recommendation for Safari on High Sierra: Magnet App

Magnet is a Window Manager app for macOS, that has the added benefit of including a shortcut that can “Maximize” any standard Mac window – this includes Safari. So, if you are willing to pay a small amount of money, you’ll get a cool all-around app too. It’s simple and easy to use, available via the Mac App Store, and is currently maintained by the developer:

Magnet – keeps your workspace organized Activated by dragging, customizable keyboard shortcuts or via Menu bar, Magnet declutters your screen by snapping windows into organized tiles. Drag a window to the top edge of your screen to maximize it.

Other Similar Apps

Divvy – cross-platform window manager Divvy is an entirely new way of managing your workspace. It allows you to quickly and efficiently “divvy up” your screen into exact portions including full screen. It’s notably more expensive than Magnet.

Cinch – simple window manager Cinch allows you to precisely resize a window simply by dragging to the left, right, or top screen edge. It’s a bit more expensive than Magnet.

BetterSnapTool – manage window positions BetterSnapTool allows you to easily manage your window positions and sizes by either dragging them to one of the screen’s corners or to the top, left or right side of the screen. It’s the least expensive of the paid options.

Moom – Move and zoom windows With Moom, you can easily move and zoom windows to half screen, quarter screen, or fill the screen. It is a paid app via direct download or Mac App Store.

Rectangle – open source window manager Similar to Magnet, Rectangle is free and open source. Move and resize windows in macOS using keyboard shortcuts or snap areas.

Veer – a lightweight window manager Veer is a free window manager with full screen options. It’s a ‘side project’ maintained by an in indie developer.

3D WindowSwitcher – Powerful Desktop Window Switcher and Manager WindowSwitcher is a paid app that transforms the chaos of a messy desktop into neatly arranged windows, where one can easily see all the information in an organized display.

Website-based Option

BrowserSize.com A free website that offers multiple presets, along with a custom size feature, that will trigger the resizing of your browser window(s).

Other Types of Extensions for Safari 13+

Apple features other helpful extension in their Safari Extensions Category in the macOS App Store.

Legacy Browser Extensions for Safari 12 and lower

Resize Window Resize Window adds a single button to your Safari toolbar that will resize your browser window to a specific size with a single click. Maximize or select from a myriad of preset pixel sizes.

ResponsiveResize The ResponsiveResize Safari Extension lets you resize the browser window with pixel precision as an aid to building responsive websites.

Looking for “Full Screen” & maximizing web browser alternatives to Safari?

You may wish to consider one of these other free Mac desktop browsers that are similar to Safari but offer native maximize capability. To maximize: Press and hold the Option key while you click the green maximize button in the top-left corner of an app window: