Unworkable and time-consuming Launchpad on Tahoe

I've just upgraded to Tahoe and for the most part I really like the new look and feel, but what on earth were Apple thinking when they merged the Spotlight and Launchpad and came up with this unusable abomination.


In the original launchpad I could (and did) organise the Apps to make me more productive. Some apps were grouped together under their functionality to help reduce the clutter, others were placed in very specific locations, so if I needed to launch something it was a quick click, swipe and the move the mouse to where I knew the app would be - most apps I could launch in around a second.


Now I'm presented with a much smaller window to work with, much smaller icons, the groups have gone, everything is alphabetical rather than in a productive order.


I've tried moving the apps but they just snap back, I can't create groups to reduce the clutter, the "groups" at the top don't really work (I've got a game appearing under Productivity), and almost every application and game I've installed is now under "Other" so Apple's suggested groups are a waste of time.


I know I can search for an ap by typing it's name in, but that takes more time and it's also assuming that I can remember what the app's name was.


It's making me less productive, it's more time consuming and harder to find anything. I like a clean and tidy Dock, but now I'm pinning almost every app I use onto it just so that I can find them.


I'm really hoping Apple come to their senses and allow us to choose whether to use the original Launchpad or their new style (having both would have aided in allowing us to transition to it).


I've done some searching online for advice on what to do, but the commands and scripts I've found just disable the Launchpad completely when activated


I've looked at some launchpad alternatives, but I don't want something that looks like Windows or menus, I just want something straightforward and simple that does the taks of the old Launchpad with no additional bells and whistles getting in the way.


Both my partner and my father have taken a look at Tahoe on my machine, and both have decided to stay on Sequoia until the issue can be resolved purely because of the Launchpad.


so if anyone has any suggestions on getting the old Launchpad back or a good alternative that I can suggest to my family, I'd be really grateful.





[Edited by Moderator]

iMac (M4)

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 01:56 AM

Reply
12 replies

Sep 16, 2025 03:12 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

> Perhaps it's worth trying to let go and embrace the change, rather than fight.


I can see how it would work if you had a couple of Apps and could remember the names of them all, but for myself it's a complete mess. It's also annoying that spotlight hijacks the trackpad squeeze.


I ended up buying AppGrid from the App Store. It will even import your previous LaunchPad settings (they are not erased), as well as having some extra features.



Sep 16, 2025 02:39 AM in response to RayvenUK

For what it's worth:

- Open Finder and drag the Apps folder to the right side of the dock (after the vertical line). This creates a shortcut to all your apps. Control-click this shortcut and choose your preferred "Kind," "Show As," and "Show Content As."

- In place of Launchpad, there's also a new app called Apps, which opens the app overview. Your apps are sorted by category here.

Sep 16, 2025 03:21 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Luis Sequeira1 wrote:

Perhaps it's worth trying to let go and embrace the change, rather than fight.

FWIW, Spotlight before Tahoe was already more productive to launch applications: Command-space, type Saf, enter and you launched Safari (an example) without ever leaving the keyboard. That still works, and more...

+ 1


Not to change is to get stale IMHO

Sep 16, 2025 06:45 AM in response to Owl-53

I agree, change is good, but only when an application is effective and changes enhance the existing functionality. Apps has taken a step backwards. To enhance productivity an application should be customisable allowing users to configure them to enhance their individual way or working. Most programs allow you to customise and arrange menus, toolboxes, etc., as to how you work and how you use the program. The old Launchpad you could arrange the applications according to your workflow or preferences, drag them to separate screens or group them; you could use Spotlight to quickly find apps (if you could remember their name) or speedily use the mouse to navigate to well your placed app icons.


Apps has gone from a large, clear display to a small, cramped display. From flipping screens left to right to scrolling up and down. From being able to organise apps the way you work to just being alphabetical. From beng able to group applications together under your owns groups to not being able to put them in categories of your own choosing or design.


When you develop the next generation of a program the focus is always on enhancing the software, supplying new features, retaining feature that are familiar and productive to existing users. By drastically altering the layout and the way the program works you risk alienating your existing customer base. Yes, you can expect them to adapt, but you have to remember that most users are unable to spend time changing the way they work, they have deadlines and timescales to manage. Eventually they can get time here and there to explore the new features and factor them into their workflow and practices as time goes on. To change everything in one go forcing them to adapt is a dreadful thing to do.


As for using Spotlight to find apps, yes it's good and is something I do use occasionally for well-known apps, when I have the time and the environment to do so. However I spend quite a bit of time using a graphics tablet and pen, and in those instances my keyboard is stashed under my desk out of the way to give me space to work. Having to put the pen down, move the tablet, grab the keyboard and type is not an option, especially as when I'm working wth the tablet, I have no need of applications where I need to type.

Unworkable and time-consuming Launchpad on Tahoe

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