Back/forward shortcut for Finder windows

[AMSOS]

Hi all. I've recently updated my M1 Air 2020 to Sonoma 14.2.1.

Notwithstanding the horrible Settings layout, I like the aesthetics and upgrades to older Mac OS versions.

There is, however, a feature that still seems to be absent/disabled by default. This has to do with the ability to go back or forward one level in the Finder windows. Years ago, around 2015, I remember using this feature on my old MBP. Over the years, however, I have not seen it implemented.

Is there any way to enable it so I need not use the trackpad every time I want to go back or forward in a window?

Thanks!

 

[bogdanw]

"Command–Left Bracket ([): Go to the previous folder.
Command–Right Bracket (]): Go to the next folder.
Shift-Command-H: Open the Home folder of the current macOS user account."
from Finder and system shortcuts https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236
https://support.apple.com/HT201236

 

[chabig]

Is there any way to enable it so I need not use the trackpad every time I want to go back or forward in a window?

Here is the full list:

Mac keyboard shortcuts

By pressing certain key combinations, you can do things that normally need a mouse, trackpad, or other input device.

support.apple.com

But these are the ones you're interested in. Some of them depend on what view you're using.

 

[Ben J.]

So what about the rest of the world where we don't have these stupid bracket keys on our keyboard. This has always irritated me.

 

[galad]

You can personalise the key commands in system settings, and lately macOS automatically translate the key-combination to something that's available on the current keyboard.

 

[chabig]

So what about the rest of the world where we don't have these stupid bracket keys on our keyboard. This has always irritated me.

Use the appropriate shortcut keys for your system.

 

[maccidents]

To go back in Finder, press Command (⌘) and the left square bracket [ key. To go forward, use Command (⌘) and the right square bracket ] key

 

[Ben J.]

Use the appropriate shortcut keys for your system.


View attachment 2345303

Thank you so much Chabig.
I actually never knew this.

In norwegian:

 

[Bigwaff]

With Finder active, select menu View > Show Path Bar. The Path Bar will appear at the bottom of your Finder windows. Items in the Path Bar are like "bread crumbs". You can click on any folder displayed in the Path Bar and the Finder window will show contents of that folder. Not exactly a "back" and "forward" but nearly so.

 

[Ben J.]

With Finder active, select menu View > Show Path Bar. The Path Bar will appear at the bottom of your Finder windows. Items in the Path Bar are like "bread crumbs". You can click on any folder displayed in the Path Bar and the Finder window will show contents of that folder. Not exactly a "back" and "forward" but nearly so.

Yes. The path bar, tabs bar, and tools bar, I use them all the time.
The path bar is essential for navigation.

It's just that I was always annoyed when I saw these 'brackets' referenced, and I didn't know the equivalent on my keyboard. Until today. Ø and Æ. Not that I think I'm going to start using them a lot, but I kinda feel like a missing piece of puzzle has showed up after decades. And it was there, under my nose, all this time.

 

[bogdanw]

In norwegian:

Tastatursnarveier for Mac https://support.apple.com/no-no/HT201236

 

[Ben J.]

Tastatursnarveier for Mac https://support.apple.com/no-no/HT201236

Thanks, Bogdan.
I do of course know about apple supports' shortcuts info, but looking at them again now, they actually say that the shortcuts for moving back/forward in finder windows are: cmnd-BRACKETS! (not Ø/Æ)
It's obviously a simple translation.

So there!

 

[zevrix]

This has to do with the ability to go back or forward one level in the Finder windows.

If you mean going one level up then it's Cmd-Arrow Up, works on Sonoma as always.

 

[bogdanw]

Thanks, Bogdan.
I do of course know about apple supports' shortcuts info, but looking at them again now, they actually say that the shortcuts for moving back/forward in finder windows are: cmnd-BRACKETS! (not Ø/Æ)
It's obviously a simple translation.

So there!

I’m sorry, I presumed they are the same keys.
That is: they display Ø/Æ and you get [] when pressing them with option (⌥).
But I see now that the Norwegian keyboard is weird
https://www.apple.com/no/shop/product/MK2A3H/A/magic-keyboard-norsk

 

[AMSOS]

If you mean going one level up then it's Cmd-Arrow Up, works on Sonoma as always.

Thanks. Actually, I realised I should have worded this accurately.
In fact, I'd like to have the ability to use two finger swipe (left or right) to move between levels.
I used this years ago in 2015, and now there seems to be no way to enable this.
I inadvertently let others think that I am looking for keyboard shortcuts. My apologies.