Get ReturnFast running on your Mac

Before you start

• A Mac running macOS 14 or later.
• The ReturnFast application.
• A license key. A completed purchase shows the key on screen; configured license email also sends a copy to the purchase address.
• An internet connection for initial license activation.

1. Open and activate ReturnFast

1. Open ReturnFast. It runs as a menu-bar application rather than a Dock app.
2. Choose the activation prompt and paste your license key.
3. Complete activation while connected to the internet.

Lost the key? The license lookup can find a purchase by email, show masked license details, and attempt to send the full key to that address.

2. Grant Accessibility permission

Accessibility lets ReturnFast read the title of the focused window and raise a specific window when you go Back. macOS owns this permission.

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security, then Accessibility.
3. Enable ReturnFast.
4. Return to the app and switch between two windows to test capture.

3. Allow app-specific Automation when prompted

Chromium browsers, iTerm2, Terminal, and Finder use their macOS scripting interfaces for deeper context. macOS may ask whether ReturnFast can control one of those apps. Chromium tab capture will not work until its Automation request is approved. Other integrations may fall back to the app or window context they can still read.

4. Test Back and Forward

1. Focus one app or document.
2. Move to a different app or supported in-app location.
3. Press ⌥⌘[ to go Back.
4. Press ⌥⌘] to go Forward again.

Open ReturnFast from the menu bar to see the current location and recent Back trail. Shortcuts can be changed in settings. Read how the trail behaves for the complete model.

License and connection behavior

• ReturnFast validates the license key and this Mac against the seat limit during activation.
• After a successful activation, the app caches licensed status and can continue to work when a later validation attempt cannot reach the server.
• The app silently rechecks a stored license when it starts and a network is available.
• There is no published self-service device-release flow. If a seat remains assigned to an old Mac, contact support with the purchase email.

Troubleshooting

The trail is empty

Confirm ReturnFast is running and has Accessibility permission. Then focus one app, move to another app or location, and reopen the menu-bar panel.

Back opened the app but not the expected window

Window matching relies on titles exposed through Accessibility. If the original title changed or the window closed, ReturnFast falls back to an available window.

A browser tab was not selected

The supported Chromium adapter looks for an open tab whose current URL exactly matches the captured URL. A closed tab or changed URL cannot be selected.

An editor returned to a window instead of a line

File and line restore requires a full file path and line exposed by the editor during capture. When either is missing, window-level restore is the expected fallback.

Payment completed but the key is missing

Check the purchase inbox, use license lookup, or email support from the purchase address.

Contact support

Email hello@returnfa.st. Include the macOS version, ReturnFast version, affected app and version, and what you expected to be restored. Do not include your full license key unless support specifically asks for it.