Is LaunchPad Gone in macOS Tahoe and How Can I Find My Apps Now?

Missing LaunchPad After the macOS Tahoe Update? Here’s What You Can Do.

Have you updated to macOS Tahoe and found that LaunchPad is missing? You are not alone, as this change affects many Mac users who relied on the simple, grid-like app launcher. The new macOS Tahoe 26 brings several updates, but it also removes the dedicated LaunchPad application from the Dock and the Applications folder.

For years, LaunchPad offered a straightforward, iOS-style view of all your applications. It was easily accessible from the Dock or with a quick keyboard shortcut. Its removal has understandably caused some confusion and frustration. While the dedicated app is gone, its core function has been merged into Spotlight, the Mac’s system-wide search tool. This new method is not exactly the same, and if you miss the old visual interface, this change can feel like a step backward.

This guide will help you navigate this change. First, we will walk you through how to use the new app launcher inside Spotlight. Second, we will introduce a free application that brings back the familiar feel of the classic LaunchPad.

Understanding the New App Launcher in Spotlight

Apple’s goal with macOS Tahoe seems to be streamlining the user experience by combining tools. Integrating LaunchPad’s function into Spotlight is part of this effort. For users who already use Spotlight to find and open apps, this change might feel natural. However, for those who preferred the visual, full-screen grid of LaunchPad, it requires a new habit. The new interface is less of a visual browser and more of a functional list.

Using the new app launcher is a two-step process.

1. Press Command + Spacebar on your keyboard. This action opens the Spotlight search bar, just as it always has.
2. With the Spotlight bar open, press Command + 1. This new shortcut transforms the Spotlight window into an app launcher.

Instead of the full-screen grid of icons you remember, you will likely see a more compact, list-based view. Apps may be organized alphabetically or grouped into categories like “Utilities,” “Productivity,” or “Games.” You can either type the name of the app you wish to open or use the arrow keys to navigate through the lists.

There are benefits and drawbacks to this new approach.

• Pros of the Spotlight Method: It centralizes search and application launching into a single tool. If you are a keyboard-centric user, you may find this workflow to be faster once you get used to it. It also means one less icon to keep in your Dock, which can help reduce clutter.
• Cons of the Spotlight Method: The primary drawback is the loss of the visual, spatial layout. Many users found comfort in seeing all their app icons laid out and organized into folders they created. The new list-based view is not as intuitive for visual thinkers. It requires you to know the name of the app you want, rather than simply spotting its icon.

If you find this new system doesn’t work for you, a third-party solution may be the better choice.

Using Launchie as a Free LaunchPad Replacement

For those who truly miss the classic LaunchPad experience, the developer community often provides solutions. An application called Launchie is a free, open-source tool designed to replicate the original LaunchPad’s look and feel. While not a perfect one-to-one copy, it is very close and restores the functionality that many users miss in macOS Tahoe.

You can find the Launchie application on its project page on GitHub. Since it is not from the App Store, you will need to download and install it manually.

1. First, download the Launchie application file from its official source.
2. Next, open your Downloads folder and find the Launchie app. Drag it into your main Applications folder to install it properly.
3. To make it feel like the original LaunchPad, you can add it to your Dock. Open the Applications folder, find Launchie, and drag its icon to your Dock. Placing it on the far left, next to Finder, will mimic the location of the old LaunchPad icon.
4. By default, Launchie can be opened with the keyboard shortcut Command + K. This shortcut is universal, meaning it should work from anywhere in the operating system.

Launchie brings back many of the features that made the original LaunchPad so useful.

• Visual App Grid: It presents all your applications in a familiar full-screen grid of icons.
• Custom Organization: You can drag and drop icons to rearrange them in any order you like. You can also drag one app icon onto another to create folders, just as you could before.
• Customization: The app offers settings to change its behavior. If the default keyboard shortcut conflicts with another application, you can change it to something else in Launchie’s preferences.

Using a tool like Launchie provides a stable and reliable way to restore the workflow you prefer without trying to modify the operating system itself.

Can the Old LaunchPad Be Restored in macOS Tahoe?

A common question is whether it is possible to simply copy the old LaunchPad application from a previous version of macOS, like Sequoia, into macOS Tahoe. As of now, this does not appear to be a viable solution. There are several technical reasons why this approach is unlikely to work and could even cause problems.

Modern operating systems like macOS have security features, such as System Integrity Protection (SIP), that prevent unauthorized modifications to core system files. The original LaunchPad application is deeply integrated with the operating system, and its code relies on specific frameworks and libraries that may have been changed or removed in macOS Tahoe.

Attempting to force an old application to run on a new operating system could lead to system instability, crashes, or unpredictable behavior. Even if you managed to get it to launch, it might not function correctly. Therefore, the safest and most practical approach is to adapt. Assume that the old LaunchPad cannot be restored and choose one of the working solutions available. Either embrace the new Spotlight-based launcher or install a dedicated alternative like Launchie.

Other Ways to Open Applications on Your Mac

The removal of LaunchPad is a good opportunity to review other methods for opening applications on your Mac. You might find a new workflow that is even more efficient for you.

• The Dock: The most basic app launcher is the Dock. You can drag your most frequently used applications to the Dock for one-click access.
• The Applications Folder: You can always open a Finder window and navigate to the Applications folder. You can change the view to an icon grid, which provides a similar visual browsing experience to the old LaunchPad, just not in full-screen.
• Third-Party Launchers: Beyond Launchie, there are other powerful launcher utilities like Alfred and Raycast. These tools are highly customizable and can do much more than just open apps. They can search files, control system settings, run scripts, and integrate with many other services.

Change in a familiar operating system can be jarring. The removal of LaunchPad from macOS Tahoe is a significant shift for many. However, you have clear options. You can adapt to the new integrated Spotlight launcher, which may speed up your workflow over time. Or, you can use a free, reliable alternative like Launchie to bring back the familiar visual grid you are used to.