Mac apps keep opening on the wrong desktop.

Why do Mac apps open on the wrong desktop?

macOS opens a new window on whatever Space is active unless the app is assigned to a Space. After a restart, apps that reopen all land on the current desktop. Mission Control can also reorder Spaces based on recent use, so Desktop 2 is not always the same desktop. See restoring windows across multiple desktops for more.

What free fixes should you try first?

Assign the app to a desktop. Right click the app in the Dock, choose Options, then This Desktop. It only works for apps in the Dock and only one Space per app.

Turn off automatic rearranging. In System Settings > Desktop & Dock, turn off Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use.

Check Displays have separate Spaces. With several monitors, this setting changes which desktop an app opens on. Leave it on for per-display Spaces.

How does SnapState put apps back on the right Space?

SnapState is a native macOS menu bar app that saves named workspaces. Each one keeps the windows on every Space with position and size, the apps needed to relaunch them, the display layout, full screen windows, and all open tabs in Safari, Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc and Chromium once Automation permission is granted. Restore from the menu bar, with Control-Command-1 to 6, or automatically on wake from sleep, when a monitor connects or disconnects, or when a matching display layout appears.

Save a workspace with every app on its desktop. After a restart or sleep, pick it from the menu bar or press its shortcut, and apps relaunch onto the Space they were saved on. Windows on other Spaces are placed when you switch to them.

What are the honest limits?

SnapState does not tile or snap windows, it cannot split one app's windows across several Spaces, Firefox is not supported yet, tab groups are not restored, and it requires macOS 15.7 or later. There is no free trial.

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