macOS Tahoe Transforms Launchpad Into App Library

[Ankaa]

Isn’t that what the Home Screen is for on iOS/iPadOS?

Which is essentially what Launchpad is, sooo ....

 

[jakespeed]

Yep, add me to the "I hate it" list. I switched to launchpad when Apple took away my ability to organize the Appliations folder the way I want (hide, add folders, etc.) So how exactly is the primary use case of the OS (organizing and running applications) being accomplished? Surely we are missing something here?

 

[!!!]

Application folder in your dock. Essentially the same thing


Seems like there are LOT of people in this thread that don't have their application folder in the dock. I forgot it's not there by default. I've been doing it that way for 20 years!

That's a step back, I have Launchpad set up to be well-organized. I hate having to scroll through a simple alphabetized list, I want my own custom sorting & grouping. Not whatever App Library garbage apple keeps trying to shove in my face.

 

[DaneLA]

Glad to see so many other people use Launchpad like I do, a highly customized Home Screen. I foresee myself creating an app just to replicate the functionality of the current system. :/

 

[GlassFingers]

I'm sad to see this. I use Launchpad a lot. Yes, I use Spotlight more, but often times I just want to search for applications only (without seeing other things or Google search suggestions in the results... yes, I know it sounds dumb, but that's what I like to do sometimes). If I'm playing a game and I press the Home button or Xbox button, it goes straight to the Games folder so I can switch to a different game.

I have my Launchpad specifically organized in a way that my brain understands, which helps me a lot in terms of finding something. And I also have some tiny apps that I rarely use, but are helpful in a pinch. I just instinctively "know" where they are, even if I don't know the name, and it's all in full screen. Spotlight isn't going to show those "once in a blue moon" apps for me.

While I understand these are all "First World Problems," it's been very helpful with my workflow and how I use my Mac. So this will be painful to see it gone.

Well... I may as well begin to start changing my workflows in preparation for this change (unless this gets reverted, which I doubt: I know the Launchpad haters were loud and they won, it will now go away).

This!! Don’t remove launch pad!

 

[WhackyNinja]

The way I gasped when I went to open up launchpad and saw that instead.

Also you have to double to open an app now. Smh. Why would they kill Launchpad?

 

[Theboi]

I really hope they make launchpad an option again. This new apps app is horrible as it cannot be customized at all.

 

[blueberrymidnightsky]

I used Launchpad every day. I'd like it back. Keep the Spotlight enhancements but give back Launchpad.

 

[Ankaa]

A lot of weird little choices made across the 26 update that will probably change between now and the fall, I think this will be one of them

I wonder if this is something all the people beta-testing can comment on. Maybe, if there's enough voiced demand/opposition to the lack of launchpad, it may come back? I never had a beta OS version, so don't know how feedback works.

 

[krakenrelease]

Never use Launchpad. I just drag my Applications folder to the dock. This is even worse

 

[tomtattoo]

For me that are BAD news.
Now I know which of my devices will get NO update.

 

[nathanyu]

Finally LaunchPad is gone, good job apple

 

[avro707]

I used Launchpad every day. I'd like it back. Keep the Spotlight enhancements but give back Launchpad.

Apple knows best and we shall get used to it.

I’m not so sure - but I am installing it now and will see how it goes.

I’m nervous to install on the dual W6800X duo machine. First installing on my M2 MacBook Air.

 

[deconstruct60]

For those complaining about the removal of Launchpad, just add the Applications folder to the Dock to create a stack. Not the same, but infinitely less irritating to use.

Once Launchpad is open , the user can immediate type the name of the app that they are looking for. The icons are filtered to match the name.

If throw open a Finder window there are extra clicks and filtering to do the same thing.

Likewise the "App Library" on iOS. There is a search field at the top. Have to tap to get to a keyboard (since no on screen keyboard all the time. ), but fitlering is less steps.

This macOS 26 "App library" thing is wonky ... there is no search field. It is almost like Apple wants spotlight prompt input fodder for everything. If can just 'type to search' , then it is another one of those 'hide the controls' games they play. ( how make search field appear... type into 'nothing' ).

 

[avro707]

This macOS 26 "App library" thing is wonky ... there is no search field. It is almost like Apple wants spotlight prompt input fodder for everything. If can just 'type to search' , then it is another one of those 'hide the controls' games they play. ( how make search field appear... type into 'nothing' ).

That idea would go against their own design videos, where they specifically call out solutions that are unclear.

Hidden functions aren’t a good idea.

 

[4k78]

I use Launchpad daily. In combination with a hot corner (top left), it's just a click flick of the trackpad and there are all my apps.

 

[Korito]

A lot of inspiration from good ‘ol linux in this release. Not that it’s bad, just to be clear. From folder color/icon customization, transparent menubar, over to launchpad here. It’s good.

 

[tadhgk]

That looks identical to the revised launcher in Windows 11. I mean identical. Also the revised launcher in Windows 11 sucks, so boy Apple, not sure I would have cloned that particular idea.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

And…of course, just like on iOS/iPadOS, you still cannot re-categorise the apps, right?

By the way, that surface is grey and opaque. What about liquid glass?

yes, it's all fixed. you can sort by category and names. you can't create own folders or re-arrange anything.

 

[deconstruct60]

I'll probably forego the automated categories and use it like this:

View attachment 2518015

What Application is in the menu bar when this window is in the foreground. (which App is running here). Launchpad and spotlight search (from the menu bar) don't run as an app with a menu bar ( more like a full screen (Lauchpad) or an overlay dialog box (spotlight) kind of hybrid mixed system app that doesn't follow the UI guidelines.

Or some kind of severely muted Finder Window when open the Applications Folder?

 

[McNoise]

Drag your Applications folder from the Finder over to the right side of the Dock as a Stack, then it'll work just like a tidier LaunchPad.

Exactly. Just like every normal Mac user has been doing or should have been doing for ages. Launchpad was complete desktop bullsh1t from the start. A icon grid on a big screen is much harder to capture than a simple selection menu.

It was introduced to make it easier for people who only used an iPhone/iPad to switch to the Mac ... Steve Jobs said at the launch of MacOS Lion: "We took the best ideas from iOS and brought them to the Mac."

 

[Jouhne]

I use the launchpad everyday... and when u right click on the launchpad's icon in the dock its like the good OLD APPLE MENU... Its a lot better than to drop the Application folder in the dock... I like keeping things organized

 

[Tevos]

So is it now a …..Start menu?

It's worse.

It's W11 start menu.

 

[svish]

Huge change. Looks like Command + 1 brings up all the applications installed on the Mac. Will be using that key combination a lot

 

[LFO8]

I liked launchpad, in theory, but it never kept my apps in the same location on the screen which made it unusable for me. Also, there's no ability to simply turn off the dock (which is ridiculous).

Yeah the dock seem pointless now already with Spotlight to open apps en CMD + Tab to see what apps are open and switching tabs. Plus Stagemanager also shows the open apps.