21

I am looking for a trick in which to open the same app twice. Let me explain.

For example, I have an app called SQLite Database Browser but it can only handle one SQL DB at a time. I would like to start another SQLite DB Browser so I can open another SQL DB file. How do I do that?

Improve this question
1
  • I do this with Firefox occasionally by creating multiple browser profiles. OS X then sees each instance of Firefox with a unique profile as a separate application.
    – unhappyCrackers1
    Jul 19, 2011 at 18:16

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
24

If you use open from the command line you can pass a parameter to start a new instance:

open -n /Applications/TextEdit.app

Another way is to find the Unix executable in the app bundle and run it:

/Applications/TextEdit.app/Contents/MacOS/TextEdit &
Improve this answer
5
  • 3
    One could use Automator.app to create a small application that uses this command line to launch a second instance. That would eliminate the need to always type that into a Terminal.
    – slhck
    Jul 19, 2011 at 20:35
  • @Mark. Excellent. The open -n works great. I haven't tried the Unix executable but I'll keep that in mind. @ slhck. scripting will do the trick. If I need to use the command over and over again, I'll definitely make one. Thanks everybody!!!
    – oky_sabeni
    Jul 20, 2011 at 14:46
  • @slhck When using Automator, select "Services" and "Shell Script". Use clover-S to save, and go to keyboard shortcuts, "Services" to find this script and assign it to a shortcut. apple.stackexchange.com/questions/24063/…
    – yurisich
    Oct 28, 2013 at 15:58
  • 2
    just alias it, eg. alias textedit='open -n /Applications/TextEdit.app'
    – VH-NZZ
    Jun 3, 2015 at 7:17
  • In both: Linux and Windows, I just middle-click the app on the taskbar, or click on it from the app list (about 1-2s depending on the screen resolution and mouse distance to the icon). Having 2 application profiles pointing to the same app is IMO not a good solution: what if I need 3 or 4 instances? Will it take 2 spaces on my taskbar if I use none? Will I have to choose which of the two icons I already have open and which I have to click? Apple have a looooot to learn from KDE taskbar, or even Windows taskbar.
    – Adrian Maire
    Aug 23, 2019 at 16:17
1

I know with CarbonCopyCloner I can make another copy of the application itself and I can open two instances of CCC at the same time. Have you tried something like that?

Improve this answer
3
  • So, use CCC to create another copy of the SQLite application?
    – oky_sabeni
    Jul 19, 2011 at 19:04
  • 2
    No @mdgarci was just giving CCC as an example - just copy your app with finder -- but for better way see my answer
    – mmmmmm
    Jul 19, 2011 at 19:24
  • @Mark Classy example of advertising your answer - but good job on yours.
    – ReinstateMonica3167040
    Jun 18, 2018 at 14:51

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.