Comments on: Launch & Run Multiple Instances of Any Application in Mac OS X

By: Anthony Tanas

Anthony Tanas — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:17:54 +0000

Thanks, works great. I prefer the simplicity of just using the open -n command on the rare occasions I need two versions.

A coworker suggested that it could be a problem though for apps that use iCloud. Any concern with having two copies of the Notes app open for instance? I wouldn’t think so but he suggested it was a real problem.

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 20:26:49 +0000

Hi,

Great tip. I have multiple iTunes libraries. How can I open iTunes and make OS X think I am holding the ‘option’ key so I can select a library?

Thanks

By: Mareo Raft

Mareo Raft — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:34:59 +0000

The following is slightly simpler. Let’s say I wanted to open the application Safari.

Open Terminal, type the command
[code]open -na Safari[/code]

Explanation: The -n option is for “new” or “new instance”. The -a option tells your computer you are opening an application, so that the path (usually /Applications/) and the extensions (.app) are no longer needed.

By: Stewart

Stewart — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:20:18 +0000

You need to also add that if the file name contains a space you will be required to enclose that name in quotes: i.e. open -n /Applications/”Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate 6.app”/ .

By: Launch and Use Any Mac OS X App When Booted from OS X Lion Recovery HD Drive

Launch and Use Any Mac OS X App When Booted from OS X Lion Recovery HD Drive — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:41:58 +0000

[...] this method you can actually run concurrent instances of apps without using the traditional ‘open -n’ command [...]

By: albinoz

albinoz — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:38:25 +0000

I will test thanks for

By: meh

meh — Thu, 12 May 2011 07:54:32 +0000

Another good option is to make it into a service so you can just right-click on the file icon that you want to open with a new instance of the default program.

http://lifehacker.com/#!5766390/how-to-open-two-instances-of-an-application-in-os-x

By: Jack Frost

Jack Frost — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:31:21 +0000

Doesn’t seem to work on Chrome. It dies immediately.

By: PeTIK

PeTIK — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:43:18 +0000

Linker for OSX, alpha version
start multiple application instance

http://petikteam.blogspot.com/2010/02/linker4osx-how-to-start-multiple.html

By: Cromagnon Man

Cromagnon Man — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:34:34 +0000

Nice tip! I saw it on Facebook but this is great for using different Dropbox accounts at the same time too