Is Launch Pad gone or simply not part of the default apps on the bottom row?

[Iridescent Caterpillar]

sorry... I upload large audio files to a server every Monday. This week I upgraded to Tahoe beforehand, and hilarity ensued...

You use a set of apps weekly to do the same thing but don't remember their names or have them pinned to your dock?

Can't you find some way to automate most of the tasks if you're doing it all it time? Surely between the command line, automator and shortcuts you could setup something once and then not have to go through a big complicated process.

 

[aperfectcircle]

It was the need to search through a list of apps 3 times, for 3 different apps, on the new app drawer. Apps that I had sorted onto one Launchpad page.

As far as I can tell, unless I'm missing something in the app drawer you can't even organize the apps into preferred groupings. And the wonky way the App Drawer sorts isn't helping...

Not that I’m defending the removal of Launchpad (I never used it myself, and I can’t really see why Apple needed to remove it when introducing the new app drawer - I don’t know why keeping it would conflict with the new thing), but given you’re doing this activity every week have you looked at Shortcuts to automate some or all of your workflow? Even a basic shortcut could launch your 3 apps, and possibly there might be other parts of your process that could be automated. Might be worth having a play with?

 

[RRAMESH]

Launchpad was similar to what as implemented in iOS. The ability to organize apps into user defined folders for easy access to essential functionality based on needs. It was so useful that one didn't even need to remember the names of the applications. Just their location and their thumbnail image.

Don't know the rationale for changing it. The new window is too small and one cannot even resize it. Is Apple restricting window sizes to make a MacBook look like a phone?


Now it's all messed up.

 

[thebellnd]

I believe it's still possible to re-activate Launchpad in Tahoe via the command line. But don't expect to be able to do that again next year.

 

[Luba]

According to ChatGPT I put in Terminal: open -a Launchpad —>But that assumes Launch Pad hasn’t been deleted.

defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true; killall Dock —>This commands resets Launch Pad, Launch Pad is still in macOS 26, just not activated, just not installed??

 

[lotones]

You use a set of apps weekly to do the same thing but don't remember their names or have them pinned to your dock?

Can't you find some way to automate most of the tasks if you're doing it all it time? Surely between the command line, automator and shortcuts you could setup something once and then not have to go through a big complicated process.

If I was on Jeopardy or something I could probably remember their names, but for instance, I had to reinstall XLD awhile back, and for the life of me I couldn't remember what it was called. I knew that the icon looked like, but I kept confusing it with another app with a similar name, and finally had to look it up.

But that's the whole point: I shouldn't have to remember and type the name of apps, then search through a list, when Launchpad was designed to avoid all that, and it worked just fine. Everything I needed was a 4 finger pinch and a swipe away. It's also an accessibility issue - for someone who's somewhat visually impaired Launchpad was a godsend.

I could possibly automate the tasks, but each step takes a little bit of subjective tweaking. And I never docked the apps because for 15 years I never had to... and man, my dock is already begging for mercy! I almost need a second monitor just for my dock! 😅

 

[zevrix]

I used Launchpad, and I love this the new App Library

Once again I hear about some "new App Library" on Tahoe. Would you mind clarifying what it is? I don't see any "App Library" on Tahoe.

There's the new Apps app (which is just a shortcut to Spotlight), which replaces Launchpad, but that's about it. (I never used Launchpad and won't use this new thing either, just in case.)

 

[JoeSilver]

According to ChatGPT I put in Terminal: open -a Launchpad —>But that assumes Launch Pad hasn’t been deleted.

defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true; killall Dock —>This commands resets Launch Pad, Launch Pad is still in macOS 26, just not activated, just not installed??

This temporary workaround, if it works, is likely to become ineffective, sooner or later, because Mac OS 26 is clearly removing Launchpad for good.
Realistically, the solutions are 1) finding a 3rd party replacement, 2) learning a new workflow (which doesn't have to be less efficient or comfortable than the old one). After all, I've heard that Launchpad received a very mixed reception when it was introduced. People had to make an effort to learn it. Like with every UI

 

[Sniper08]

According to ChatGPT I put in Terminal: open -a Launchpad —>But that assumes Launch Pad hasn’t been deleted.

defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true; killall Dock —>This commands resets Launch Pad, Launch Pad is still in macOS 26, just not activated, just not installed??

Last time I did this it broke spotlight for me (including the index). Has anyone tried this command out? I'm away from my Mac for a few days.

 

[fisherking]

Last time I did this it broke spotlight for me (including the index). Has anyone tried this command out? I'm away from my Mac for a few days.

there are a couple of apps to check out, one such app: QAL Pro

 

[thebart]

Well I submitted a feedback asking them to put it back. Maybe if enough people do it they'll reconsider.

Try to explain why the apps list and the launchpad each has its own pluses and minuses, why they are not equivalent, and what you like about launchpad. So they don't think it's just people not liking changes or old men yelling at clouds.

 

[Madonepro]

Well I submitted a feedback asking them to put it back. Maybe if enough people do it they'll reconsider.

Try to explain why the apps list and the launchpad each has its own pluses and minuses, why they are not equivalent, and what you like about launchpad. So they don't think it's just people not liking changes or old men yelling at clouds.

A mini version of launchpad still exists within this new spotlight design, accept you don’t access it by clicking on spotlight, or pressing the launch pad app, you simply use the trackpad gesture ‘Pinch your thumb and three fingers together‘ to display Launchpad.
if when using the finger gesture, you launch the App Library, click on the 3 dots in top right hand corner, and you can choose grid, or list as your default.

 

[boluobn]

The bottom row of apps, idk the name of that feature, but it used to have a called Launch Pad where you could click on a big icon and launch an app. I had it all organized into 5 pages of apps. Is it now hidden somewhere or deleted from macOS 26?

Can't believe it's gone, a majority of users thought it was useless and now it's gone?

To address the inconvenience of not having Launchpad after upgrading to Tahoe 26, you can try the software NovaPadGo, which perfectly replaces the functionality of the old Launchpad.

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/en/app/novapadgo/id6752112019

 

[thebart]

A mini version of launchpad still exists within this new spotlight design, accept you don’t access it by clicking on spotlight, or pressing the launch pad app, you simply use the trackpad gesture ‘Pinch your thumb and three fingers together‘ to display Launchpad.

I don't have a trackpad, nor 3 fingers for that matter, lol.

 

[Madonepro]

I don't have a trackpad, nor 3 fingers for that matter, lol.

So does that mean, you don't have a MacBook Pro? If you have less than 3 fingers, then using any pointing device will be troublesome, but may I suggest, if you click and drag your applications folder, to the far right of the dock, and add it there, when you click it, you will get 'effectively' a launch pad.

 

[thebart]

So does that mean, you don't have a MacBook Pro? If you have less than 3 fingers, then using any pointing device will be troublesome, but may I suggest, if you click and drag your applications folder, to the far right of the dock, and add it there, when you click it, you will get 'effectively' a launch pad.

View attachment 2551073

Thanks. That gives a bigger window at least and preserves folder structure instead of flattening out the list. But you lose ability to filter by typing part of the name

 

[Geoff777]

It is gone and replaced with the "app drawer", which is the applications "tab" in Spotlight. There is some terminal command stuff you can use to get it back, but who knows how long that will last for, since this is something that Apple has decided to do away with.

There was a fair amount of discussion about it during the beta.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/26-0-launchpad.2458492/

I feel like everyone who says the app drawer is fine, or to just pin the Applications folder on the dock for a suitable replacement... these people didn't really "use" LaunchPad.

That's disappointing, I use LaunchPad nearly every day - much nicer way to check your apps than going through the apps folder.

 

[RRAMESH]

there are a couple of apps to check out, one such app: QAL Pro

I don't see why one would need to use a 3rd party app to organize applications on a MacBook to look like an iPhone. Apple should look at consistency of experience across all platforms.

Plus I certainly don't want to use code to bring back features knowing that Apple may disable them in future.

 

[pappkristof]

I created an alternative app for macOS 26. You can download from and contribute at: https://github.com/kristof12345/Launchpad

 

[fisherking]

I don't see why one would need to use a 3rd party app to organize applications on a MacBook to look like an iPhone. Apple should look at consistency of experience across all platforms.

Plus I certainly don't want to use code to bring back features knowing that Apple may disable them in future.

if you want the functionality of something that doesn't exist on your mac (or, to be fair, no longer exists). what's wrong with a 3rd-party app? i recommended one, and @pappkristof , above, offers one.

 

[speedyraf]

For various reasons, I prefer to stay on OS Sequoia for the time being. Launchpad apps that I open daily are sorted into groups that work for me. Other threads suggested creating a new folder with subfolders that contain my Launchpad app groups and then put that folder on my Desktop or Dock. Is this still a workable solution? I'm not the most tech-oriented person, so the simpler the better. Thanks

 

[fisherking]

For various reasons, I prefer to stay on OS Sequoia for the time being. Launchpad apps that I open daily are sorted into groups that work for me. Other threads suggested creating a new folder with subfolders that contain my Launchpad app groups and then put that folder on my Desktop or Dock. Is this still a workable solution? I'm not the most tech-oriented person, so the simpler the better. Thanks

check out the apps listed above your post...

 

[Luba]

A mini version of launchpad still exists within this new spotlight design, accept you don’t access it by clicking on spotlight, or pressing the launch pad app, you simply use the trackpad gesture ‘Pinch your thumb and three fingers together‘ to display Launchpad.
if when using the finger gesture, you launch the App Library, click on the 3 dots in top right hand corner, and you can choose grid, or list as your default.

Thanks very much for this tip. I’m going to continue to use it with your suggestions and see how it goes. So far, not bad, not as good as Launch Pad, but I haven’t used it long enough. I’m glad there are solutions like QAL Pro, NovaPadGo, @pappkristof app

 

[MDTyKe]

I love the new Spotlight Launchpad, especially the sense of mystery and excitement that comes with when I have no idea what Creative Cloud app I'm clicking on.

 

[NewOldStock]

The old saying is a picture is worth a thousand words.
Now i am back to typing those words instead of clicking on an Icon that was set up by me.
Also i have some apps that are not even in the right places/catagories.
Who decides that and where they go into the categories?
I used to decide and make my catagories not done by apple!
Only hope is more granular setting.