How to use Launchpad on Mac

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Macos Big Sur Preview Safari Hero
Macos Big Sur Preview Safari Hero (Image credit: Rene Ritchie)
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Launchpad provides an iPad Home screen-like launcher on macOS, and a way to see, start, search for, delete, and otherwise manage apps on the Mac with macOS Big Sur installed.

How to launch an app in Launchpad on Mac

  1. There are three ways to enter Launchpad:
    • Click on the Launchpad icon in your Dock.
    • Do a four-finger pinch gesture on your trackpad.
    • Press the Launchpad button on your Apple keyboard, when applicable.
  2. Click on the app you want to launch.

To launch an app in Launchpad on Mac, enter Launchpad, then click on the app you want. (Image credit: iMore)

How to search an app in Launchpad on Mac

If you have a lot of apps installed, you can easily search for them in Launchpad.

  1. Open Launchpad.
  2. Select the search bar at the top center of the Launchpad screen.
  3. Enter the name of the application you wish to find.
  4. Choose the app.

To search an app in Launchpad on Mac, open Launchpad. Select the search bar at the top center, enter the name of the app. Choose the app. (Image credit: iMore)

You will notice that as soon as you start typing, Launchpad will begin filtering the results, so in most cases, you shouldn't even have to type the entire name of the app to find it.

How to move apps in Launchpad on Mac

If you want to have all your favorite and most used apps in a certain location in Launchpad, you can easily move them around to arrange them however you want.

  1. Open Launchpad.
  2. Click and hold the app you wish to move until it starts wiggling.
  3. Move the app using your mouse.

To move apps in Launchpad on Mac, open Launchpad, then click and hold the app you wish to move. With your mouse, move the app in Launchpad. (Image credit: iMore)

How to organize apps into folders in Launchpad on Mac

You can put apps into folders to better organize your Launchpad. It's perfect for putting similar apps together.

  1. Open Launchpad.
  2. Click and hold on the app you wish to put in a folder until it starts wiggling.
  3. Drag the app on top of another app you wish to put into the same folder until a white box appears around both apps. Or drag the app into an existing folder.
  4. Let go.

To organize apps into folders in Launchpad on Mac, open Launchpad, then click and hold the app you want to put in a folder. Drag the app on top of another app to create a folder. Or drag the app into (Image credit: iMore)

How to delete apps in Launchpad on Mac

You can certain apps on your Mac from Launchpad, which is a great way to keep your desktop clean and organized. Please note that you can't delete certain built-in apps or apps running in the background on your Mac.

  1. Open Launchpad.
  2. Click and hold the app you want to delete until it starts wiggling.
  3. Choose the X on top of the app to delete it.
  4. Select Delete in the pop-up box.

To delete apps in Launchpad on Mac, open Launchpad, click and hold on the app you wish to delete. Click on the X, then select Delete in the pop-up box. (Image credit: iMore)

How to reset Launchpad on Mac

Sometimes, after installing a new app (especially third-party apps), you may notice it doesn't show up in Launchpad. There is a way to manually refresh Launchpad, which will most likely resolve the issue.

  1. Click on your desktop.
  2. Click on the Go menu. It's up on the menu bar at the top of your screen.
  3. Press and hold the Option key.
  4. Click on Library.

To reset Launchpad on Mac, click on your desktop, then select the Go menu on the menu bar. Press and hold the Option key on your keyboard. Click on Library. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Double-click on the Application Support folder.
  2. Double-click on the Dock folder.

To reset Launchpad on Mac, double-click on the Application Support folder, then double-clock on the Dock folder. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Drag all files ending in .db into the trash.
  2. Choose on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen. It should look like this .
  3. Click on Restart.
  4. Confirm on the Restart button.

To reset Launchpad on Mac, drag all files ending in .db to the trash. Click on the Apple icon, choose Restart, confirm restart. (Image credit: iMore)

Your computer will restart, and when it boots back up, you should find all your apps available in Launchpad.

Time to upgrade?

Are you considering a new Mac desktop or laptop? Be sure to check out our favorite Macs of the year.

Questions?

If you have any questions about taking screenshots or making screen recordings on Mac, ask away in the comments.

Updated December 2020: Updated for macOS Big Sur.

macOS Big Sur

○ macOS Big Sur Review
○ macOS Big Sur FAQ
○ Updating macOS: The ultimate guide
○ macOS Big Sur Help Forum

Luke Filipowicz
Luke Filipowicz
Staff Writer

Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way. 

Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.