How to manually organize apps currently organized by Tahoe?

my apps are organized by Tahoe. I want to organize them myself. Is that possible and if so what do I need to do?

iMac 24″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 19, 2026 1:09 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 19, 2026 7:11 AM

I use the free utility Xmenu.


It places an "A" icon in your menu bar and when you click on it, it shows the contents of your Applications folder. However, they are in their alphabetical order. You can, though, make folders in your Applications folder and arrange applications that way. I have my various third party utilities all stored in a "Utilities extras" folder.


Xmenu also has a star icon where you can place aliases to items you select. You could set up folders in that and then put aliases to your applications in your various application type folders. If you do it that way you don't need to make folders in the Applications folder, you just make aliases to the applications and put the aliases in folder in the Star folder. It's nice in that you don't have your desktop getting cluttered with Finder windows.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 19, 2026 7:11 AM in response to Itzigheine

I use the free utility Xmenu.


It places an "A" icon in your menu bar and when you click on it, it shows the contents of your Applications folder. However, they are in their alphabetical order. You can, though, make folders in your Applications folder and arrange applications that way. I have my various third party utilities all stored in a "Utilities extras" folder.


Xmenu also has a star icon where you can place aliases to items you select. You could set up folders in that and then put aliases to your applications in your various application type folders. If you do it that way you don't need to make folders in the Applications folder, you just make aliases to the applications and put the aliases in folder in the Star folder. It's nice in that you don't have your desktop getting cluttered with Finder windows.

Jan 19, 2026 3:32 AM in response to Itzigheine

Itzigheine wrote:

Thanks, but this implies that what we could do in a former version of MacOs, arrange apps ourselves without the help of an extra app, is no longer possible?

No implications whatsoever regarding the Arrangement of Applications that WAS Available in Previous Version of macOS ie Sequoia and earlier


App Library


With macOS Tahoe, Apple eliminated the Launchpad feature that shows you all of the apps on your Mac. It's been replaced with a new App Library-style "Applications" interface. 


The Applications interface organizes apps by category, like Utilities, Productivity and Finance, Social, Creativity, Information and Reading, Entertainment, and Other. There's also a Suggested section at the top of the interface.


If you what to do this manually as in Yourself


In macOS 26


Create a Folder in the Dock.


Create aliases to your applications .


Place the aliase in that newly created Folder in the Dock.


Arrange the aliase in whatever order you choose and best meet your needs 


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How to manually organize apps currently organized by Tahoe?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.