Why is the launchpad gone?

Launchpad is not available in macOS 26 Tahoe. Instead, Apple has replaced it with a Spotlight-based application library similar to that on iOS. By default, the Apps app replaced the Launchpad app in your Dock (if it was there). 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 AppGrid Launcher app (Mac App Store link) or https://www.launchie.app/.

SyViking wrote:

I really want the launchpad back..

viable alternative replacement for the old LaunchPad

• Launchie.app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/launchie/id6752657468?mt=12

• AppHub https://bringbacklaunchpad.com/apphub.html

• AppGrid Launcher https://apps.apple.com/us/app/appgrid-launcher/id6748853585?mt=12

• LaunchPad on GitHub https://kristof12345.github.io/Launchpad/

SyViking wrote:

Does anyone actually prefer "Apps" over the launchpad? Why is it a thing?

No, but I’ve never used Launchpad. I took one look at it and decided it was too kludgy and took up valuable screen space.

I put all of the apps I use regularly in the Dock (60 of them), and in the rare instance I need an app that isn’t in the dock I use Siri or the Apps folder (also in the dock). And after I launch an app it remains in the dock for a while so I can reopen it.

Yup. This upgrade was downwards. I don’t like the look and feel. I kinda like it on the iPhone and was hopeful. The transparency thing is too much for me, but hey! 🤷 I might have gotten used to it as long as it is readable (rip Yosemite!)

But removing the launchpad was a killer for me. I couldn’t get my head around it. I tried the alternatives from the AppStore. But they aren’t as good by any means.

Thus, I spent one weekend to downgrade back to Sequoia. Nice and cosy. And I don’t miss anything.

No one here can answer "Why" questions.

Feel free to send Apple feedback.

Feedback - macOS - Apple

SyViking wrote:

Why is the launchpad gone?

No one can answer "why" questions.

But if we could, I would be much more interested in an answer to "why" people keep applying these updates that are uglier and buggier every year. Yet every year, it's like those "Black Thursday" events where people are crawling over each other to apply each year's OS update within seconds of it being released.

And then, like clockwork, they come here complaining about. We can't fix it. We didn't create this problem. You did.

You want Apple to change? Stop applying the updates! It's that simple.

Yes, yes, yes. I know. I'm spitting into the wind. When xOS 26.1 gets released, it's going to be click, click, click. Download, install, restart. Wait! I can't even read the screen! Wait! Where's my favourite feature?

But don't worry, I have absolute confidence that xOS 26.2 is going to fix everything. I promise!

SyViking wrote:

Does anyone actually prefer "Apps" over the launchpad? Why is it a thing?

I find them both pretty useless. I launch everything from Spotlight.

I really want the launchpad back..

Sadly, we do not always get what we want in this life.

"But don't worry, I have absolute confidence that xOS 26.2 is going to fix everything. I promise!"

Nope, the bug that only I have hasn’t been fixed by 26.2! My $5000 gear is totally useless and I’m losing income. Fix it NOW Apple. How can I downgrade back to System 7?

lkrupp wrote:

"But don't worry, I have absolute confidence that xOS 26.2 is going to fix everything. I promise!"

Nope, the bug that only I have hasn’t been fixed by 26.2! My $5000 gear is totally useless and I’m losing income. Fix it NOW Apple. How can I downgrade back to System 7?

Be careful what you wish for! There was a nasty bug in System 7 that caused a lot of folders to mysteriously disappear.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

I put all of the apps I use regularly in the Dock (60 of them), and in the rare instance I need an app that isn’t in the dock I use Siri or the Apps folder (also in the dock). And after I launch an app it remains in the dock for a while so I can reopen it.

Wow! That would drive me nuts. And that's a great example of how needs and preferences differ, and no one way is better than all the others. Except of course, for my way. ;-)

etresoft wrote:

But don't worry, I have absolute confidence that xOS 26.2 is going to fix everything. I promise!

Troublemaker.... ;-)