Using Subfolders in Applications Folder?

I avoid it for anything outside of plugins that are required to be in that folder. The users folders are; for me; a far easier way to manage assets that are not applications themselves. I mange apps from the dock if I need to sort them out by a group or category.

macjack wrote:

...That must be recent because I was always under the impression that it wasn't a good idea to create subfolders in Applications because updates wouldn't be able to find the apps where they were expected to be...

Me too but you can! Who knew? (not me, not until just a few minutes ago!)

Here is an updated Support document: Organize files in folders on Mac - Apple Support.

I think Finder's future iterations are going to resemble Launchpad, if it even continues to exist. Launchpad "flattens" everything you put into a folder within Applications anyway, unless you create an iOS-like folder within Launchpad. Where iOS goes macOS is sure to follow, so I wouldn't get used to organizing things that way.

That's interesting. The Support article definitely says that as you install apps you can create subfolders for them. That must be recent because I was always under the impression that it wasn't a good idea to create subfolders in Applications because updates wouldn't be able to find the apps where they were expected to be.

But if you've been doing it with no issues, I guess that's proof of it.

@John I SO hope you're wrong...but think that you're right. I don't know anyone who uses likes or uses Launchpad...from techies to seniors.

I hope I'm wrong also.

When I want to use an iPhone I use an iPhone, but I see how things are going with a Mac. The fact I don't like it doesn't matter.

Hello Adam,

I would not recommend doing that for any Apple software or any software you purchase from the Mac App Store.

I wouldn't recommend doing it for other, 3rd party software either, although I'm sure it would be safer than with Apple of Mac App Store software.

Don't rely on Apple support articles as gospel. Just because Apple publishes that doesn't mean that Apple has fully tested it and will continue to test it in the future. Apple may not also realize the kind of, ahem, "creativity" that end users might employ as a result of this kind of licence.

I have seen random, odd bugs that show up in random update builds and then get fixed a couple of builds later.

For alternatives, I suggest looking at creating an "Applications" folder in your home folder. Although there is some risk here too. It is supposed to be more or less equivalent to the "Applications" folder in the root directory of your disk.

Another option is to employ your organizational urges in the Launch Pad instead. There is no risk that anything will break because of the Launch Pad. There is a risk that some random update will re-randomize everything. But such is life in Apple-land these days.

I have not experienced any trouble with that.