How to Keep Notes on Top of Every Window on Mac

You open a note to reference something. Then you open your browser. The note disappears behind it. You Command-Tab back, find the note, switch to Finder — and it disappears again.

This is the default behavior on macOS. Every window competes for the same screen real estate, and whichever one you clicked last wins. For a sticky note meant to stay in view while you work, it defeats the purpose entirely.

DeskMemo fixes this with Float on Top: one click that moves your note to the highest window level on macOS — above Safari, Finder, Chrome, Zoom, and every other app. The note stays visible no matter what you open next.

Why Notes Get Buried on Mac

macOS organizes every window into a stack ordered by when you last interacted with it. Click Safari, and it comes to the front. Click Finder, and it takes over. There is no way within standard macOS to say "keep this window on top permanently" — the system has no such setting.

Apps that need to stay always-on-top — like video call overlays, system HUDs, or floating utilities — do so by requesting a higher window level from macOS. DeskMemo uses this same mechanism and exposes it as a per-note setting you control with one click.

How to Float a Note Above Every App in DeskMemo

1. Open DeskMemo — click the DeskMemo icon in your menu bar to open an existing note or create a new one.
2. Find the Float button — in the note's control bar at the top, look for the window-level icon (an upward arrow or layers icon).
3. Click Float on Top — the note immediately moves above every other window on your screen.
4. Test it — open Safari, Finder, or any other app. The note stays visible in front of everything.
5. Keep editing — click into the note at any time. It remains fully editable while floating.
6. Toggle off — click the same button again to return the note to normal window level.

Each note remembers its window level. Close DeskMemo, reopen it, and your floating notes come back floating.

When to Use Float on Top

Reference during a Zoom call

Pin your talking points or agenda above the Zoom window. The note stays visible on screen even when Zoom is fullscreen — no need to Alt-Tab away mid-conversation.

Follow a recipe or instructions

Keep a step-by-step note above your browser while you work through it. No more switching back and forth between the recipe and whatever you have open.

Daily to-do list always in view

Float your task list for the day above all your other windows. Check items off without switching apps. It becomes a persistent overlay on your workflow rather than another window you have to find.

Reference codes and credentials

Keep an account number, tracking ID, or temporary password visible while filling in a form. The note floats above the browser so you can read and type at the same time.

Float on Top vs. Other Window-Level Tools on Mac

Tools like Afloat or Mango 5Star let you force any app window to stay on top. These work at the app level — you configure each app window separately, and they only apply to windows that already exist.

DeskMemo's Float on Top is built into the note itself. Each note independently controls its own window level. You can have one note floating above everything, another at normal level, and a third hidden behind your desktop wallpaper — all at the same time, managed per note without touching any system settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep a window always on top on Mac?

macOS has no built-in always-on-top feature. To keep a sticky note always on top, use DeskMemo and click the Float on Top button in the note's control bar. It moves the note above every other app window until you toggle it off.

Does macOS have a built-in always-on-top feature?

No. macOS does not include a native way to pin a window above all others. You need a third-party app. DeskMemo provides per-note window level control, so each note independently floats above or sits behind other windows.

Can I still type in a floating note?

Yes. DeskMemo notes are fully editable while floating. Click into the note, type, check off tasks, or format text — it all works normally while the note hovers above other windows.

Does Float on Top work with full-screen apps?

Float on Top keeps your note above all regular windows on the current macOS Space. If you enter a full-screen app in a separate Space, the note stays on its own Space. Keep DeskMemo and your full-screen app on the same Space if you need the note visible during full-screen work.