Any way to customise Launchpad database manually ?

Is there any way to edit or customise Launchpad database manually ? I just want to display only application.

There are many developers like Adobe, Maxon, BorisFX, Houdini, e.t.c, messing up my Launchpad :P

I understand those extra apps or scripts are useful for some people but people like me don't even know what they do. Worst thing is don't let me remove from Launchpad. So annoying.




I am not done with installations of my applications but it's now two pages already.

If there is away to edit or customise Launchpad database manually, please kindly share.


Mac Pro, macOS 13.4

Posted on May 31, 2023 02:12 PM

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Posted on May 31, 2023 03:31 PM

Thanks for the reply. Regarding the link you provide, it is only said to uninstall. Do not state anything to move.


As for moving app into a folder, I am very close to test but do not have much confident after reading this thread.

Using Subfolders in Applications Folder? - Apple Community


Are you sure all app will work as it is now after moving into a folder ? Where should be that folder ? inside Application folder or outside ? I just don't want to mass Application folder. Just want to clear thing in Launchpad.

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May 31, 2023 03:31 PM in response to dialabrain

Thanks for the reply. Regarding the link you provide, it is only said to uninstall. Do not state anything to move.


As for moving app into a folder, I am very close to test but do not have much confident after reading this thread.

Using Subfolders in Applications Folder? - Apple Community


Are you sure all app will work as it is now after moving into a folder ? Where should be that folder ? inside Application folder or outside ? I just don't want to mass Application folder. Just want to clear thing in Launchpad.

Aug 28, 2023 12:31 AM in response to mrzayar

I have asked if one can create different pages as is possible in iPad and was told no. So I have removed the icons I was able to and grouped icons I wanted to keep on the back burner. All my installations were placed in a second page as well, so what I did was grouping my graphics icons, then my language icons and my business icons as well. I grabbed my graphics group and pushed it to the left, it jumped to first page and I placed it at the first spot, then did the same with the other two groups in second and third spot respectively. It is now in the premier spots on the first page. All icons on the page moved up and pushed the last icons onto the second page. It is satisfactory for me as a work around. I may ungroup my icons again and see if I can push everything annoying onto the second page. Just haven't bothered yet.

May 31, 2023 04:35 PM in response to mrzayar

Thanks for the reply. Regarding the link you provide, it is only said to uninstall. Do not state anything to move.

The instructions aren't to remove from the Launchpad. They are to delete the app. dialabrain posted them in reference to moving the apps into folders in Launchpad.



As for moving app into a folder, I am very close to test but do not have much confident after reading this thread.
Using Subfolders in Applications Folder? - Apple Community

Are you sure all app will work as it is now after moving into a folder ? Where should be that folder ? inside Application folder or outside ? I just don't want to mass Application folder. Just want to clear thing in Launchpad.

Launchpad is not the Applications folder. The instructions should show you how to move Launchpad icons into folder by dragging one app on top of another. You can then add more apps to the folder.



May 31, 2023 04:12 PM in response to mrzayar

you can drag any application into your desired order on any launchpad page. you can also drag an application to the very edge of a launchpad page until it moves to the next or previous page.


as seen on your above screenshot, you can drag "weather" to the right until the page shifts to the second one and drop it there.


or on your second page, drag red giant to the left until the page shifts to the first page and drop it there.


and you can use more than just two pages. I have three.


Jun 2, 2023 12:52 AM in response to Barney-15E

Launchpad is not the Applications folder. The instructions should show you how to move Launchpad icons into folder by dragging one app on top of another. You can then add more apps to the folder.

Hi Barney, Thanks for the reply. I do understand your point as Launchpad is not the Application folder and Launchpad create Aliases, as BobHarris said, whatever in Application Folder. right ? But I found it does not create Aliases of everything in Application folder and as far as I have seen, somehow, developers have a way to access the Launchpad database. Because when I install Adobe Suite, the Adobe Suite installer create two to three folders, group, in Launchpad. One of them is named "Other" which we already have in Launch with Apple application from Activities Folder.


Is the system decide the name "Other" and put those alias into same group ? or developers modified the database to put those aliases in the "Other" group ? Also create another group called "Adobe illustrator" with just 3 scripts file but the rest are out without group. Same goes to Maxon, BorisFX, Houdini, Autodesk, Pixel Film Studio.



Is the system decide and create a group with developer name or developers modified the database to create their own group ? The Downloads (Other) is appeared when I install Maxon.

Jun 2, 2023 06:00 AM in response to Barney-15E

Hi Barney, Thanks a lot for your kind reply. My question was came from the following link (https://fgimian.github.io/blog/2016/12/23/how-macos-stores-launchpad-configuration/)


I was trying to test but just don't want to mess things I do not know. And I agree with you about "How long the modification would persist". It is like a double pain :P

No matter what I do, as soon as update things jumped out from group and combine anything they like or wandering around Launchpad :D Its really nightmare.

Thanks again for your kind.

Aug 28, 2023 01:03 AM in response to mrzayar

I am sure I posted but perhaps it takes some time to show my post, after my lengthy post I went and tidied up my own launchpad and this is the result. I grouped all the unwanted icons and moved the group to the right off screen it jumped to second page, this was after I placed all my programs at the front, I have a few more to move to page one but I. am happy with the work around.


Sorry my post was rejected and I don't know why.

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Any way to customise Launchpad database manually ?

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