The launchpad in Mac OS 18 has been replaced with something else that does not work in Mac OS 26. I would like to see all my installed apps and this feature is missing. Where is the central point where I can see all my installed apps? App Store is not a solution here.
MacBook Pro (M4)
Launchpad is not available in macOS 26 Tahoe. Instead, Apple has replaced it with a Spotlight-based application library similar to that on iOS. To have Apple consider your feedback on this issue, submit it here:
A possible workaround might be the AppGrid Launcher app (Mac App Store link).
Launchpad is not available in macOS 26 Tahoe. Instead, Apple has replaced it with a Spotlight-based application library similar to that on iOS. To have Apple consider your feedback on this issue, submit it here:
A possible workaround might be the AppGrid Launcher app (Mac App Store link).
vijayasuria wrote:
Thank you @mulberry58.
I don't see the new "Apps" - searching for it only provides App Store.
Note that if you did not have Launchpad in your Dock before upgrading to macOS Tahoe, then Apps will not appear in your Dock in Tahoe. You can find it in the Applications folder on your Mac, and if you like you can drag it to the Dock.
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.
I saw on another post to click the ‘…’ and toggle off the iPhone Apps.
Wish to say that not everyone has this option.
Instead, I found an alternative in the System Settings -> Spotlight menu. Toggle off the iPhone Apps and this the only shows the locally installed apps in Spotlight (replacement of Launchpad).
[Edited by Moderator]
(Cmd) + spacebar will invoke Spotlight
Mouse over A for Applications or ⌘ + 1
Mouse over second icon for Files or ⌘ + 2
Mouse over third icon for Actions or ⌘ + 3
Mouse over fourth icon for Clipboard or ⌘ + 4
Using the ⌘ + 1 in may case
It brings up a host of applications that came pre-installed with macOS 26 Tahoe and otherThird Party Applications like “Ad and Stuff “ / Carbon Copy Cloner / Etrecheck Pro, Firefox and others
Agree, Launchpad may have been useful in its day
It seems Apple has decided, in macOS 26 Tahoe, to expand the functionalities of Spotlight to include that which Launchpad has been doing this since Launchpad was first introduced in Mac OS X Lion, which was released in 2011. It brought an iPhone-like "home screen" experience to the Mac, allowing users to see and organize all their installed applications in a grid-based interface.
At the toolbar, next to Finder, you can see the new Apps icon that replaces Launchpad
Thank you @Owl-53.
The Cmd-1 brings recently used apps and then a list of all apps installed across devices sharing the same Apple ID.
What is really needed is a "Locally Installed Apps" feature, which was the purpose of the Launchpad app.
You are welcome
Personally and this is subjective point of view
Being Dependent on a Third Party Application that may or may not work and may or may not need updating each time there is an update to macOS 26 Tahoe
That just does not work for my needs
My needs are not the same for others needs
FSKB wrote:
Why do you people insist on breaking things that work just fine? stop mandating how we work and instead ASK US before taking away functionality that we rely on! Bring back LaunchPad!
"you people" are not here. This is a user forum.
Feel free to send Apple feedback.
FSKB wrote:
Why do you people insist on breaking things that work just fine? stop mandating how we work and instead ASK US before taking away functionality that we rely on! Bring back LaunchPad!
Apple has access to enormous amounts of user data. I suspect if they thought that the vast majority of their Mac users used LaunchPad, they might not have removed it. I understand it's cold comfort when you're in the minority of users whose favorite feature was removed. I've certainly been there. But I adapted.
Thank you @mulberry58.
I don't see the new "Apps" - searching for it only provides App Store.
Thank you @neuroanatomist.
Feedback has been submitted.
Hope something comes of it.
@mulberry58,
Thank you. This icon now launches the Spotlight-based option. No more Launchpad.
Thank you @neuroanatomist.
I had the Launchpad, and on update to Mac OS26, it became the Spotlight.
Why do you people insist on breaking things that work just fine? stop mandating how we work and instead ASK US before taking away functionality that we rely on! Bring back LaunchPad!
Launchpad Missing in Mac OS26
