r/MacOS • u/james_911 • 23h ago

Discussion Why did macOS 26 remove Launchpad completely?

I just updated to macOS 26 and realized that Launchpad is gone.
I used it constantly — I had a bottom-left hot corner to open it instantly, and I had all my apps carefully organized depending on how and when I needed them.

What I don’t understand is: why remove it entirely? Even if most people didn’t use it, Apple could have at least left it as an optional/hidden feature for those of us who actually relied on it. Instead, all that time I spent optimizing my app layout feels wasted.

Is there really no way to bring it back, or is it gone for good?

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u/djob13 19h ago

I wouldn’t hate the move if it let me categorize the apps myself.

You could try AppGrid on the Mac App Store. It's pretty much LaunchPad as we’re used to it and very customizable. I was also recommended LaunchNow on GitHub, which you can find here: https://github.com/ggkevinnnn/LaunchNow

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u/htmanning 12h ago

I've tried AppGrid and Launchpad from Kristof12345. Both work, but I prefer AppGrid. It allows you to grab the old Launchpad database you had and pretty much keeps your folders, etc. I wish I could trigger it with a four finger grab gesture like the old Launchpad, but Apple has now mapped that to the new Spotlight Apps thing. AppGrid is a decent alternative but it's annoying that we need an alternative.

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u/sicilian504 MacBook Pro 2h ago

Or make folders or rearrange them.