How to bring back Launchpad on macOS Tahoe

For years, Launchpad was one of the easiest ways to open apps on a Mac.

Click the icon in the Dock, and a full-screen grid of apps appeared — similar to the home screen on an iPhone or iPad. Many Mac users relied on it to visually browse and launch their applications.

But with the release of macOS Tahoe, Apple quietly removed Launchpad from the system.

That change has left many users wondering:

• How do I quickly open apps on Mac now?
• Is there a Launchpad replacement?
• What’s the fastest way to launch apps on macOS?

In this guide, we’ll explore what changed — and introduce a faster, more modern alternative.

What Happened to Launchpad on macOS?

Launchpad was originally introduced to bring an iOS-style app grid to the Mac. It allowed users to:

• View all installed apps

• Organize apps into folders

• Launch apps with a single click

But Apple has gradually shifted macOS toward search-based navigation.

In newer versions of macOS, Launchpad was replaced with an Apps view integrated with Spotlight, which shows applications in a smaller window instead of the classic full-screen grid.

While the new interface works well for some users, others find it less intuitive for browsing apps visually.

Built-in Ways to Launch Apps on macOS

Even without Launchpad, macOS still offers several ways to open applications.

1. Spotlight Search

Press Command + Space, type the app name, and press Enter.

This is the fastest method if you know exactly what you’re looking for.

However, it relies entirely on typing, which isn’t ideal if you prefer browsing.

2. The Apps Window

macOS now includes an Apps icon in the Dock, which shows an alphabetical list of installed applications.

It also highlights frequently used apps at the top.

While useful, it lacks some Launchpad features like:

• Full-screen browsing
• custom organization
• flexible layouts

3. Adding the Applications Folder to the Dock

Another workaround is dragging the Applications folder to the Dock and opening it as a grid.

This mimics a simple app launcher but still lacks smart organization and search capabilities.

The Problem With Traditional App Launching

Most built-in solutions fall into one of two extremes:

Search-based launchers

• Spotlight
• Raycast
• Alfred

Fast — but you must type.

Visual launchers

• Launchpad
• Applications folder grid

Easy to browse — but not optimized for speed.

What many Mac users want is something in between:

• fast like Spotlight
• visual like Launchpad
• customizable for power users

That’s where LaunchOS comes in.

LaunchOS: A Faster Way to Launch Apps on Mac

LaunchOS is a modern app launcher designed for speed and clarity.

Instead of forcing users to choose between search and browsing, LaunchOS combines both approaches into a single workflow.

With LaunchOS you can:

• Launch apps instantly
• Browse apps visually
• access frequently used tools faster
• keep your workspace clean and efficient

It’s designed for people who want their Mac to feel fast, intentional, and distraction-free.

Why Many Users Prefer LaunchOS

Compared to traditional launchers, LaunchOS focuses on three things.

1. Speed

Launch apps in milliseconds with keyboard or mouse.

2. Simplicity

No cluttered menus or complicated setup.

3. Workflow-first design

The Future of App Launching on macOS

macOS is evolving toward search-driven workflows, but not everyone wants to type every time they open an app.

Many users still prefer visual discovery, especially when:

• switching between tools
• exploring installed apps
• organizing workflows

LaunchOS bridges that gap.

It keeps the speed of modern launchers while bringing back the clarity and discoverability that Launchpad once provided.

Download LaunchOS

If you’re looking for a better Launchpad alternative for Mac, try LaunchOS.

It’s built for modern macOS workflows and designed to help you open apps faster than ever.

Download LaunchOS and experience a faster way to launch apps on Mac.

Official website: LaunchOS