macOS Tahoe removed Launchpad folders — how to organize apps now?

In macOS Tahoe (v26.0, build 25A354), the old Launchpad folders are gone. I used to organize my apps into custom folders like "Converters", "Graphics", etc., which matched my workflow and daily logic. Now the system forces a default Apps layout without the ability to create folders.

Who benefits from this change? What is actually better about it? Users who want a flat layout could have left folders empty. This change removes flexibility and breaks personal organization.

Please, can someone explain if there’s a workaround, or if Apple plans to restore custom Launchpad folders in future updates?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 10:14 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 10:25 AM

Launchpad is not available in macOS 26 Tahoe. Instead, Apple has replaced it with a Spotlight-based application library similar to that on iOS. We are users like you and no one here can speak to what Apple will or will not do in future updates.


To have Apple consider your feedback on this issue, submit it here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple


A possible workaround might be the AppGrid Launcher app (Mac App Store link).



39 replies

Nov 25, 2025 11:46 AM in response to SyntaxError74

The bottom like is that this was Apple's decision. Your characterization of that decision as 'rash' has no basis in fact, neither of us has any idea what internal discussions supported this decision. Apple has abandoned both hardware features (floppy drives, optical drives, user-replaceable storage and memory, FIreWire, etc.) and software features (iTunes, Dashboard, macOS Server, etc.). Life and users have moved on.


Apple designs and builds the hardware, and Apple develops and owns macOS. You can choose whether or not to buy Apple products, and you can provide feedback using the link I previously posted.

Nov 26, 2025 1:34 AM in response to SyntaxError74

I have a 4,000 dollar machine that doesn't allow organization of apps???


Somewhat absurd. Of course you can organise your apps any old way you want. All that's happened here is one app that provided a cute interface for doing that has been changed. No more, no less. Now there are 3rd party alternatives that offer the same, as well as other ways to manage this, including folders of aliases and so on. Or you might even wonder why you need to organise apps and instead just use the launch facility in Spotlight, or apps like LaunchBar, Monarch, Alfred, Raycast and so on to access your applications. Essentially, just different ways of achieving the same thing, often with additional benefits.


As for rash decisions: you forget that Apple have a pretty good idea of what apps are used and how because a lot of Users allow that sort of feedback to flow to them. So while I don't know what proportion of Users actually used Launchpad, they do. I, for instance, looked at it day one and said... nothing of value there for me.

macOS Tahoe removed Launchpad folders — how to organize apps now?

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