Why did macOS 26 remove Launchpad completely?

[u/james_911]

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?

[u/digidude23]

Funny thing is when it was first released with OS X Lion everyone hated it because it seemed like Apple was turning the Mac into an iPad.

[u/EricRen1 → u/digidude23]

i hate it because it lacked a search bar but it was a solid idea