- Currently, no workaround can fully restore Launchpad in macOS 26. Most online guides only offer partial substitutes that replicate some of Launchpad's functions. Apple has permanently removed Launchpad from macOS Tahoe, and the only viable options are using third-party app launchers or downgrading to an earlier macOS version that still supports Launchpad.
With macOS Tahoe (macOS 26), Apple has replaced Launchpad with a new interface called Apps that resembles the App Library on iPhones and iPads, leaving many Mac users searching for ways to get it back.
A quick search turns up countless guides promising "fixes" or "restoration" methods—but most of them only recreate small parts of Launchpad's functionality and don't actually bring it back.
In this article, we cut through the noise and explain what works, what doesn't, and what options you realistically have if you miss Launchpad on macOS Tahoe.
Why is Launchapd missing on macOS Tahoe?
The removal of Launchpad is part of Apple's broader effort to unify the user experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple's stated goal with macOS Tahoe was "streamlining."
Spotlight Integration: Apple wants Spotlight to be the single entry point for everything on your Mac (files, actions, clipboard, and apps). By moving app management into Spotlight, they reduced the number of separate UI "modes" a user has to learn.
AI-Driven Organization: macOS Tahoe leans heavily into Apple Intelligence. Apple believes that automatic, machine-learning-based categorization is more efficient for most users than manual organization.
iOS Alignment: The new "Apps" interface mimics the App Library found on iPhones, creating a consistent look for users who jump between their mobile devices and their Macs.
Launchpad vs. Apps in macOS Tahoe
Launchpad is a built-in app launcher that opens a full-screen grid with all the apps on your Mac. It gives you the freedom of spatial organization. You can group apps however you like and manually organize app positions. By keeping apps in the exact same spot on the grid, you can launch software instinctively without needing to search or read labels.
The new Apps window, however, has abandoned the core advantages of Launchpad. It sorts apps on your Mac automatically by category, including Utilities, Productivity & Finance, Social, Creativity, Information & Reading, Entertainment, and a new Suggestions section at the top. Leaving no space for manual folder naming.
Nor can you move apps to a specific location. The apps can be shown in a list view or sorted alphabetically, but they can't be placed in a fixed location.
Here's a full comparison table of Launchpad vs. Apps:
| Feature | Classic Launchpad (Pre-Tahoe) | New "Apps" Interface (macOS Tahoe) |
| Organization | Manual: You drag icons exactly where you want them. | Automatic: The system sorts apps into categories (Productivity, Social, etc.). |
| Custom Folders | Supported: You can create and name your own folders. | Unsupported: You cannot create custom groups; you must use Apple's categories. |
| Pages vs. Scrolling | Paginated: You swipe horizontally through pages of apps. | Vertical/Categorized: You scroll through a single view or click category tabs. |
| Visuals | Full-screen "Springboard" style. | A glass-like overlay integrated with the Spotlight search bar. |
| iPhone Apps | Only shows Mac-installed apps. | Unified: Shows Mac apps alongside iPhone/iPad apps (via iPhone Mirroring). |
| Primary Interaction | Designed for Trackpad/Mouse (Pinch gesture). | Designed for Search/Keyboard (Cmd + Space, then Cmd + 1). |
Am I the only one who genuinely loves Launchpad and can't comprehend why it's being removed from macOS 26 Tahoe?
by u/LunariSpring in mac
Apparently, a lot of users love the ability to create their own categories and consider Launchpad a great way to access and view all applications on Mac. If that's you, try the solutions below to switch back to Launchpad on macOS Tahoe.
Bring back Launchpad on macOS Tahoe with LaunchPal
✅ Offers the closest experience to Launchpad currently possible on macOS Tahoe: full screen, folder customization, & position change
❌ Need to install another app
Apple has permanently removed Launchpad in macOS Tahoe, so it is no longer possible to restore the app itself.
However, users can still recover Launchpad's core features—such as quickly browsing installed apps, customizing apps, or arranging app locations—by using third-party app launchers.
In our testing, iBoysoft LaunchPal provides a reliable way to replicate these functionalities on macOS 26. While it doesn't restore Launchpad, it offers a practical alternative for users who want a familiar app-launching experience.
Take the following steps to use the Launchpad alternative on macOS Tahoe:
Step 1: Download and install LaunchPal.
Step 2: Open LaunchPal to customize your apps as you would on Launchpad.
Add the Applications folder to the Dock on macOS Tahoe
✅ Quickly access all apps from the Dock in a grid view
✅ Group apps in a customized folder
❌ No full-screen grid or horizontal pages
❌ Apps are organized alphabetically, no position change or fixed position
- Open Finder.
- Locate the Applications folder in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to the bottom, right-click on empty space, and choose New Folder from the context menu.
- Name the folder.
- Drag apps you want in one place into this folder.
- After finishing the categorization, you can drag and drop the Applications folder or the customized folder to the Dock.
- Right-click on the Applications icon on the Dock and choose View content as Grid.
Restore Launchpad in macOS 26 with Terminal commands
✅ Only work for a few builds
❌ May fail on many Macs
❌ May disable Spotlight
- Open Terminal.
- Copy and paste the command below and hit Enter to create the FeatureFlags directory.
sudo mkdir -p /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain
- Enter your login password and press Enter. (The password won't show up.)
- Run the command below to disable the new Spotlight UI.
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/SpotlightUI.plist SpotlightPlus -dict Enabled -bool false
- Close Terminal and reboot your Mac.
- Now you can boot your Mac and use Launchpad.
If you decide to embrace the change after some time or find the Launchpad won't open on macOS Tahoe Developer Beta 5, reverse the change by executing the following command in Terminal and then restarting your computer.
sudo rm /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/SpotlightUI.plist
Share the steps on how to enable Launchpad on macOS 26 Tahoe!
How to restore Launchpad to Dock on macOS Sequoia or earlier?
On macOS Sequoia or earlier, Launchpad is a system application that can't be uninstalled. If it disappears from the Dock, it's usually due to accidental deletion. You can get Launchpad back with the following steps:
- Open Finder.
- Navigate to the Applications folder.
- Locate the Launchpad.app.
- Drag and drop it to the Dock.
This is how to restore Launchpad to Dock! Share the steps if they are helpful!
FAQs
- QWhere is the Launchpad on Mac OS Tahoe?
-
A
Launchpad is not available on macOS Tahoe. Apple has replaced it with the new Apps library, which is integrated into Spotlight Search.
- QHow do I restore the old Launchpad in macOS 26?
-
A
You can't restore the old Launchpad in macOS 26 completely, but you can use a replacement like iBoysoft LaunchPal to replicate its functions.