How do I restore the old Launchpad in macOS Tahoe

Launchpad is not available in macOS 26 Tahoe. Instead, Apple has replaced it with a Spotlight-based application library similar to that on iOS. macOS organizes the apps, you cannot manually sort them. To have Apple consider your feedback on this issue, submit it here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

A possible workaround might be a 3rd party app, such as AppGridLauncher app (Mac App Store link) or https://www.launchie.app/.

Anthony Sbarro wrote:

It's entirely illogical

And completely irrelevant. Nobody here can bring it back.

There needs to be a way to curate the apps to efficiently launch them with muscle memory.

There has been a way since OS X was released in 2001. Just create folders with aliases to the apps you want to have available. Use Shortcuts to crest a shortcut to open that folder of aliases.

We already had Spotlight search to launch apps. Why remove LaunchPad without replacing it with something just as efficient?

LaunchPad was horribly inefficient. I had to open a window, move my mouse around, click on something, maybe more than once if it was in a folder. With Spotlight Ieave my hands on the keyboard, cmd-space, type two or three letters and hit return. Way more efficient.

This is truly mind boggling. I don't understand how people who work at Apple could make such drastic changes, unless they don't actually use the products they're engineering.

Perhaps they were just like those of us who couldn’t stand using LaunchPad.

zZKableZz wrote:

I would use whatever method that works best for me, but Apple took that away.

I didn't think it was necessary to add that you should chose from the methods that are actually available to you in the current timeline.

Now I'm being forced to use a different method that is very apparent that a lot of people don’t like or want.

"Some" people. Based on what I've read in the press and seen on these forums, it doesn't rise to the level of "a lot."

Have you tried any of the other options people have suggested, such as Launchie? Or are you just sitting about, hoping that something will suddenly change?

Either way the 26 update across the entire ecosystem is a complete dumpster fire.

Hmm. Again, I'd say not for most people. But you should certainly let Apple know how you feel:

Product Feedback - Apple

idontwantanamebutapplemademe wrote:

Please give me back launchpad.

“We” are users like you and have no power to implement any suggestions. To have Apple consider your feedback, submit it here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

I sympathize with your issues, but I would strongly suggest you adopt a 3rd party solution rather than hope Apple changes their mind. This thread has a few hundred upvotes, which sounds like a lot until you realize that there are tens of millions of Mac users running Tahoe.

Now I am using Launchie, it is good, at least I can use grups, and free

Read this conversation first.

I agree with dialabrain's comments in that in all the systems I had with Launchpad I never used it. The new Apps application will or should do what you want instead of Launchpad.

When Tahoe was still in beta Macrumors had some tips on modifying the Liquid Glass look in this article. I used some of these suggestions to experiment with the look of the new system. They might work for you too.

It's entirely illogical to remove the most efficient method of launching an application (while hiding others). Now, when I go to open the LaunchPad replacement, I'm seeing literally every app installed on the computer. There needs to be a way to curate the apps to efficiently launch them with muscle memory.

We already had Spotlight search to launch apps. Why remove LaunchPad without replacing it with something just as efficient? This is truly mind boggling. I don't understand how people who work at Apple could make such drastic changes, unless they don't actually use the products they're engineering.

Anthony Sbarro wrote:

It's entirely illogical to remove the most efficient method of launching an application (while hiding others).

I always find it amusing when people say that something they don't like is "illogical." It almost makes me think they believe that everyone shares their needs and preferences. But of course, thinking that really would be illogical.

Tell Apple what you want to see:

Product Feedback - Apple

What's illogical, had you taken the time to think or ask what I meant by that rather than post your trolly comment, is that they've removed a familiar method of launching applications that billions of people are used to using on their mobile devices, something powerful and light weight that's core to the UX that's existed in the periphery without issue for over ten years, and they've forced all users to use a command line-like method to open applications that only some people found more efficient.

I can not think of a better way to describe this than illogical.

Perhaps you could let me know what you think is logical about this removal.

As much as some may agree with the very well written explanation and description of once was, we are in what is now in Tahoe

My usual boilerplate response goes like this

We Own the computer that Apple has designed and had built to your specifications and functionalities

The Operationg System that runs on the Apple Computer was designed and built by Apple

We, the End User, Lease the Operating System from Apple and agree to take it as is, full stop

Anthony Sbarro wrote:

What's illogical .... is that they've removed a familiar method of launching applications that billions of people are used to using on their mobile devices, something powerful and light weight that's core to the UX that's existed in the periphery without issue for over ten years, and they've forced all users to use a command line-like method to open applications that only some people found more efficient.

I can not think of a better way to describe this than illogical.

Perhaps you could let me know what you think is logical about this removal.

As it's the way I've been launching apps for years, the new Spotlight system suits me just fine. It added features to what I already use. I never used LaunchPad. I didn't like it. But I'm not about to make judgments that it was "illogical". If it worked for you and you liked it, I'm sorry that you're unhappy (that's genuine). I don't assume that what I like or what works for me is what everyone else will like. Based on the number of comments here, more people used LaunchPad than I expected but I suspect it's either not "billions" or lots of people who did use it because it was there don't really care that it's gone (most likely scenario).

I have no interest in trying to justify either LaunchPad or Apps or anything else Apple decides to do.

You've now posted three more comments that are completely irrelevant. Nobody here can change macOS. The people who do are not here. Contact Apple directly using Apple Support and register your frustration.

How you feel about the change will have zero effect on future versions of macOS.

You seem determined to change our minds about what we thought of the iPhone switcher security blanket. Since we cannot change macOS, I don't quite understand the pile driving insistence that we come over to the dark side.

Not quite. This is a discussion forum. We're have a discussion.

I'm determined to convince people that my opinion is valid because a science based reality exists and that we shouldn't accept whatever Apple tells us as the only reality. If you believe that user satisfaction is entirely irrelevant for Apple and they have zero interest in any feedback at all, (1) I feel very sad for you and (2) why would they have the feedback form? But also, (3) you may very well be correct and I need someplace to express my growing dissatisfaction with this company. Tell me to bend over and say thank you serves only to antagonize me.

I've yet to hear anyone suggest any reason why LaunchPad should have been wholly removed. Perhaps someone will come across this post who does have some insight as to why Apple removed a core element of the operating system and has made a decision to make it harder for users to do a simple task such as launching an application.

I concede that it takes a lot of effort to make Apple change things but they have. Although, in one case, I've had to get rid of my Apple Watch because they refused to return the face switcher which was another primary element of the operating system.

If enough people are heard, and Apple refuses to simply turn LaunchPad back on, perhaps others will continue to build a proper replacement such as Launchie (though it's missing too many features to use yet - I'll be watching).

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Barney-15E wrote:

Since we cannot change macOS, I don't quite understand the pile driving insistence that we come over to the dark side.

Misery loves company?

You may be correct. It seems his entire world will collapse around him if he doesn't convince us of the divine beauty of the iPhone app.