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Upgraded to Tahoe 26 and missing Launchpad? Try NovaPadGo — a perfect replacement.

boluobn

boluobn

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 15, 2025
20
8
After upgrading to Tahoe 26, many users have noticed that the familiar Launchpad is no longer available, which may cause some inconvenience in daily operations.

To address this issue, we recommend using NovaPadGo, a powerful and user-friendly application that serves as a seamless replacement for Launchpad.


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App Store: https://apps.apple.com/en/app/novapadgo/id6752112019
 
Last edited:
V1.9 released, added Launchpad's 9-grid folder style, batch selection function, and beginner guide
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Well, the functions and user experience are different, you can try it out.
 
Version 1.14 Update Released!
Now supports the Basic Edition, which is completely free with no time limit.
You can also drag apps to create folders directly — give it a try!
createfolder.gif

 
MBAir2010 said:
my MacBook Air M1 might need this, and I would down load that....
but only this female blinks her (on my) right eye once every ten seconds!
Click to expand...

Ha, you can upload any picture you like as the background.

Also, version 1.7 has been released with three major feature updates, offering a more native experience:
  1. You can now drag app icons directly into sidebar tabs and folders, making it easier to organize your apps.
  2. In Preferences, you can set folders to open in popup mode for an experience closer to the native Launchpad.
  3. You can hide the logo, name, and toolbar buttons, and center the search bar to create a fully Launchpad-style interface.
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boluobn said:
To address this issue, we recommend using NovaPadGo, ...
Click to expand...
Who are "we" here?

And the Launchpad hasn’t gone anywhere; it now has a new name and resembles a Linux-like menu that can be opened anywhere. It's even better than it was when it was called Launchpad. There's absolutely no need for any third-party apps. All you have to do is learn the "new" app.
 
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Everyone has different needs, and each app has its own unique features. You can use them according to your needs — this just gives everyone one more option.
 
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boluobn said:
Everyone has different needs, and each app has its own unique features. You can use them according to your needs — this just gives everyone one more option.
Click to expand...
Could be, but Launchpad was an app that most people never used. The link to "Apps" is there on the dock, anyway...
Screenshot 2025-10-08 at 09.02.13.jpg

Why complicate your life?
 
I said it’s just a matter of different habits. Many people I know, including myself, prefer to organize apps into categories and open them directly rather than searching by name — that’s simply the easiest way for them.
 
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boluobn said:
I said it’s just a matter of different habits. Many people I know, including myself, prefer to organize apps into categories and open them directly rather than searching by name — that’s simply the easiest way for them.
Click to expand...
Screenshot 2025-10-08 at 15.16.53.jpg

I suppose you can find your "categories" here and organise them as you wish. You can also make it longer and place it anywhere you prefer. The next time you click on the "Apps" icon in the Dock, it will open where you decided to place it before. Launchpad didn’t offer any features like that. There's no reason to use a third party app.
 
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I still stand by my opinion — the Launchpad provided by the system doesn’t work well for me. It’s just a matter of personal preference, so no need to argue about it. Thanks again!
 
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boluobn said:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I still stand by my opinion — the Launchpad provided by the system doesn’t work well for me. It’s just a matter of personal preference, so no need to argue about it. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Linux had something similar to Launchpad around 2011, but they dropped it after a few years. Apple took a long time to decide on dropping Lanchpad, and once they did, Launchpad will be forgotten.
 
Version 1.22 Released — Added Two Features Based on Frequent User Feedback
  1. Added mouse wheel page scrolling, which can be enabled or disabled in Preferences.
  2. Added the ability to drag app icons to the edge of the screen to automatically switch pages or create a new page, providing a consistent experience with the native Launchpad.
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Version 1.25 Released — Added support for dragging apps directly from folder pop-ups to the main screen. The operation is consistent with the native Launchpad, making it more intuitive and user-friendly.
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Version 1.26 released, supporting application category data backup and restore.

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Version 2.0 is out! The core rendering engine has been completely rewritten for a smoother experience — no worries even with tons of apps!
It also supports automatically adding new apps to the first page, keeping the same experience as Launchpad!
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chmania said:
Linux had something similar to Launchpad around 2011, but they dropped it after a few years. Apple took a long time to decide on dropping Lanchpad, and once they did, Launchpad will be forgotten.
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There's no such thing as Linux :)
The Gnome Desktop still has something very similar to Launchpad. Super + A shows exactly the same interface as Launchpad, with the same possibility of grouping apps into named folders, scrolling pages etc.

It turns out that the quickest way to launch any app is to press Super and start typing the first letters (exactly as the new Spotlight). Put the most used apps in the dock et voilà, you don't need no Launchpad.
 
chmania said:
Who is discussing the Gnome desktop? Look for a Linux menu that existed around 2011 or 2012, roughly 14 years ago. :)
Click to expand...
I have no idea of what “Linux menu” you are talking about.
The closest thing to a Launchpad, around that time, was the Application picker of the newly released Gnome 3, which is still there by the way.
1761834693054.png

Of course it is possible that other desktop environments for Linux have (had) something similar as well. I stopped trying them all.
My point is still that, even when invoking the apps overview like in the screenshot above, the most immediate way of launching an app is to start typing its name.
 
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