macOS Tahoe Launchpad: How to use, restore, or find Alternatives

2 min read

Searching for info on macOS Tahoe Launchpad? Well, you're not the only one. After 14 years, Apple quietly removed it, replacing it with a new Apps window. There's been a lot of frustration online. This guide covers what changed, why, and what the Apps tool can do, plus the best ways to launch apps now in 2025.

What happened to Launchpad in macOS Tahoe?

No, you're absolutely not imagining it; if you just upgraded to Tahoe, Launchpad is officially gone. No point in searching for Terminal "bring it back" tricks, they simply won't work.

Why was macOS Tahoe Launchpad removed?

When it comes to understanding why Launchpad on macOS Tahoe is gone, it all comes down to design philosophy. Launchpad started in 2011 with OS X Lion as a bridge to the iPhone grid. In Tahoe, Apple leans harder on search and categorization in a single Apps interface and in Spotlight, moving away from manual pages and folders.

Differences: macOS Tahoe Launchpad replacement

Feature	Launchpad	New Apps
Custom pages	Yes	No (system organizes)
Custom folders	Yes	No
Drag and organize	Yes	Limited
Categories	Manual	Automatic
List or Icon view	No	Yes (switch in the Apps window)

The new replacement: The Apps tool

Open Apps from your Dock or via search, and you'll see all installed apps grouped by type, with a quick switch between List and Grid. The window supports typing to filter, and it aims to replace Launchpad's see everything moment with an organized, searchable view.

Apps tool on Mac

How to find and launch apps in Tahoe

1. Use Apps

Open Apps from the Dock or search.
Click the three-dot button to switch between List or Grid and browse by category, or just type to filter.

2. Use Spotlight

Press Command - Space,
Type the app name and hit Return. Spotlight is more capable in Tahoe and is the fastest muscle-memory path.

How to use Spotlight on Mac

3. Open Applications with a shortcut

Press Shift - Command - A in Finder to jump straight to Applications.
Find and open the needed app.

Open Applications with a shortcut

4. Browse in Finder

Open Finder > Applications.
Sort by Name, Kind, or Date Added.

How to browse in Finder on Mac

5. Try third-party launchers

If you loved Launchpad's grid and manual folders, a launcher fills the gap. Raycast and Alfred excel at keyboard launch and workflows. There are also grid-style replacements built specifically for Tahoe. Users and developers have been shipping alternatives like AppGrid and Launchie aimed at restoring a customizable grid with folders and drag-and-drop.

Best macOS Tahoe Launchpad replacements

App	Price	Features	Customization level
Raycast	Free + Pro	Blazing-fast launcher, extensions, clipboard history, workflows	High
Alfred	Free + Powerpack	Quick launch, file actions, automations, theming	High
AppGrid	Paid	Classic grid layout, Tahoe-ready, positions itself as Launchpad replacement	Medium–High. Focus on grid.
Launchie	Paid	Grid with drag-and-drop, custom folders, hotkeys	High. Aims to recreate Launchpad era.
Quicksilver	Free	Veteran keyboard launcher, plugin ecosystem	Medium

A small tweak that helps right after upgrading

If macOS Tahoe feels slow after the upgrade, especially in Spotlight, this sped things up for me:

Test CleanMyMac seven days for free — get your free trial here.
Click Performance > Scan > View All Tasks.
Run Reindex Spotlight and Free Up Purgeable Space.
Next, keep an eye on real-time performance from its top menu screen.

CleanMyMac menu

Launchpad on macOS Tahoe is a thing of the past; it'll go down in Mac history. Apps plus Spotlight are the defaults. If you live in search, the new setup is faster once muscle memory kicks in.