Launchpad is the macOS app launcher that gives you a clear way to view and open all your installed applications. With an interface that looks like the Home Screen of an iPhone or iPad, Launchpad makes finding and launching apps intuitive and fast. In this article you'll learn how to get the most out of Launchpad for efficient app management on your Mac.

What is Launchpad?

Launchpad is a feature Apple introduced in macOS Lion (2011) to make opening applications easier. It shows all your installed apps in a grid view spread across multiple pages, similar to how apps are displayed on iOS devices.

If you're coming from an iPhone or iPad, Launchpad will feel familiar. You see large icons, you can organize apps into folders, and you swipe between pages to see more apps. It's a visual and accessible way to find apps, especially if you're not used to the Finder or Spotlight.

Opening Launchpad

There are several ways to open Launchpad, so you can pick the method that best fits the way you work.

Method 1: Trackpad gesture

On a MacBook or with a Magic Trackpad, pinch your thumb and three fingers together. This is the fastest method for trackpad users. To close Launchpad, spread your fingers apart again.

Method 2: Dock icon

By default, the Launchpad icon (a rocket on a gray background) sits in your Dock. Click it to open Launchpad.

Method 3: Keyboard

Some Mac keyboards have a dedicated Launchpad key (F4 on newer MacBooks). Press it to open Launchpad right away.

Method 4: Hot Corner

You can set up a screen corner to open Launchpad. Go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Hot Corners and assign Launchpad to a corner.

Method 5: Spotlight

Press Command + Space, type Launchpad and press Enter. This is handy if you can't or don't want to use the other methods.

Once Launchpad is open, you'll see your apps arranged in a grid. Here are the basic navigation actions:

Switching between pages

  • Trackpad: Swipe left or right with two fingers
  • Mouse: Click the dots at the bottom of the screen or scroll horizontally
  • Keyboard: Use the left and right arrow keys

Searching for apps

Simply start typing while Launchpad is open. A search bar appears automatically at the top and the results are filtered as you type. This is the fastest way to find a specific app.

Closing Launchpad

  • Click anywhere on the background (not on an app)
  • Press Escape
  • Spread your fingers on the trackpad
  • Press the Launchpad key again

Organizing apps in Launchpad

You can rearrange apps to make them easier to find.

Moving apps

  1. Click and hold an app icon until all the icons start to jiggle
  2. Drag the app to the position you want
  3. Release to place the app
  4. Click anywhere on the background or press Escape to leave edit mode

Moving apps to another page

  1. Activate edit mode by holding down an app
  2. Drag the app to the edge of the screen
  3. Wait until the next page appears
  4. Release it in the position you want

Creating folders in Launchpad

Just like on an iPhone, you can group apps into folders to save space and keep related apps together.

Creating a folder

  1. Click and hold an app until the icons jiggle
  2. Drag the app on top of another app you want to group it with
  3. A folder is created automatically
  4. macOS suggests a name for the folder based on the app categories

Renaming a folder

  1. Open the folder by clicking it
  2. Click the folder name at the top
  3. Type a new name
  4. Click outside the folder to confirm

Adding apps to or removing apps from a folder

  1. To add: drag an app into the folder
  2. To remove: open the folder and drag the app out onto the main grid

Deleting a folder

Drag all the apps out of the folder. The folder disappears automatically once it's empty.

Deleting apps via Launchpad

You can delete apps downloaded from the App Store directly via Launchpad:

  1. Click and hold an app until the icons jiggle
  2. Apps you can delete show an X button in the top-left corner
  3. Click the X
  4. Confirm the deletion in the dialog box

Note: apps that don't come from the App Store and system apps have no X button. You have to delete these via the Finder (drag them to the Trash) or with an uninstaller.

Customizing Launchpad

Although Launchpad offers fewer customization options than other macOS features, you can change a few things.

Changing the grid size

By default, Launchpad shows apps in a fixed grid, but you can change this with Terminal commands:

To change the number of columns (for example to 8):

defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-columns -int 8

To change the number of rows (for example to 6):

defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-rows -int 6

After running these commands, restart the Dock:

killall Dock

To go back to the default settings, use:

defaults delete com.apple.dock springboard-columns

defaults delete com.apple.dock springboard-rows

killall Dock

Resetting Launchpad

If your Launchpad layout has become a mess or apps aren't displayed correctly, you can reset Launchpad:

  1. Open Terminal (via Spotlight or from Applications > Utilities)
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:

defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true; killall Dock

Launchpad is now reset to the default layout. Your folders and custom organization will be lost, so only use this as a last resort.

Launchpad versus other ways to open apps

macOS offers several ways to open apps. Here's when you would choose Launchpad over the alternatives:

Use Launchpad when:

  • You want to browse through your apps visually
  • You don't know exactly what an app is called
  • You're familiar with the iOS/iPadOS interface
  • You want to organize apps into folders

Use Spotlight when:

  • You know exactly which app you want to open
  • You want to be fast (typing is often faster than clicking)
  • You also want to search for files or information

Use the Dock when:

  • You use an app often and want quick access to it
  • You want to see which apps are currently running

Use the Finder when:

  • You want to manage apps (copy, delete, view info)
  • You want to navigate to an app's location

Tips for using Launchpad efficiently

Maximize your productivity with these tips:

  • First page for favorites: Put your most-used apps on the first page for quick access
  • Categorize with folders: Create folders such as Work, Games, Photo and Video, Productivity
  • Use search: For large app collections, typing is often faster than browsing
  • Combine with the trackpad: The pinch gesture quickly becomes second nature
  • Clean up regularly: Delete apps you no longer use to keep Launchpad tidy

Troubleshooting common problems

Here are solutions to problems you may run into:

App doesn't appear in Launchpad

  • Restart your Mac to refresh the Launchpad index
  • Check that the app is in the Applications folder
  • Some utilities don't appear automatically

Launchpad responds slowly

  • Reset Launchpad with the Terminal command mentioned earlier
  • Check that your Mac has enough free disk space
  • Restart your Mac

Apps are in the wrong order after an update

macOS can sometimes change the Launchpad layout after an update. Reorganize your apps or reset Launchpad if the problem is serious.

Conclusion

Launchpad is an accessible and visual way to find and open apps on your Mac. If you're used to iOS or prefer a clear app launcher, Launchpad is an excellent choice. By organizing your apps into folders, making use of search and learning the trackpad gesture, you can quickly navigate even the largest app collections. Combine Launchpad with other macOS features such as Spotlight and the Dock to build a workflow that suits you perfectly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I open Launchpad on my Mac?

You can open Launchpad by pinching your thumb and three fingers together on the trackpad, clicking the Launchpad icon in the Dock, using the F4 key, or searching for Launchpad in Spotlight.

How do I create folders in Launchpad?

Click and hold an app until all the icons jiggle. Then drag the app on top of another app you want to group it with. A folder is created automatically, and you can give it a name of your own.

Can I delete apps via Launchpad?

Yes, for apps from the App Store. Hold down an app until the icons jiggle, and an X button appears on apps that can be deleted. Click the X and confirm. Apps from outside the App Store have to be deleted via the Finder.

How do I reset Launchpad if it isn't working properly?

Open Terminal and run this command: defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true; killall Dock. Launchpad is reset to the default layout. Note: you'll lose your folders and custom organization.

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