After updating the Mac OS to Tahoe, I am disappointed with the new Apps menu, with so small icons inside the box. The old menu like a iphones/ iPad was good. Does anyone knows how to make it default again?
Attaching screenshot of the new update of Apps .
[Edited by Moderator]
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.0
I too was extremely frustrated that Apple has done away with Launchpad, but I soon found several substitutes (i.e. free 3rd-Party apps) that, IMHO, range from "just as good as Launchpad" all the way to "even better than Launchpad". The three I have tried are (in the order I tested them out):
"Launchie" (which is mentioned a few times in this discussion by IdrisSeabright) works perfectly well, and is certainly a good substitute.
"AppGrid", which I personally like even more than I did Launchie (purely subjective preference on my part).
And finally, I just today downloaded and installed the "LaunchOS" app, which, so far, I like the most out of all 3 options. I'm not sure about the first two, but LaunchOS also offers an "upgraded" paid version that will "unlock" the options of their "Pro" version (with an automatic, no payment info required, 10 day free Pro trial to see if the "upgrade" is even worth it to you). I went ahead and purchased the upgrade when I saw that it was on sale for a one-time cost of $5.34 (after tax) for a Lifetime License, and provides some extra customization options that I thought was worth the small cost - but I likely would have still be satisfied with the unpaid option.
AppGrid and LaunchOS (and I assume Launchie as well) each allow you to Import your (no-longer-used, but still in your system files) Launchpad database, so that you won't have to take a bunch of time rearranging all the app icons and boxes/containers (let alone having to remember exactly how you had Launchpad configured/organized on your previous OS), so the initial setup is a breeze to do. And after that, each of these options allow a varying degree of customization options that weren't present in the "old" Launchpad.
Anyway, I hope that helps some here that are wanting their Launchpad back after upgrading to Tahoe.
I too was extremely frustrated that Apple has done away with Launchpad, but I soon found several substitutes (i.e. free 3rd-Party apps) that, IMHO, range from "just as good as Launchpad" all the way to "even better than Launchpad". The three I have tried are (in the order I tested them out):
"Launchie" (which is mentioned a few times in this discussion by IdrisSeabright) works perfectly well, and is certainly a good substitute.
"AppGrid", which I personally like even more than I did Launchie (purely subjective preference on my part).
And finally, I just today downloaded and installed the "LaunchOS" app, which, so far, I like the most out of all 3 options. I'm not sure about the first two, but LaunchOS also offers an "upgraded" paid version that will "unlock" the options of their "Pro" version (with an automatic, no payment info required, 10 day free Pro trial to see if the "upgrade" is even worth it to you). I went ahead and purchased the upgrade when I saw that it was on sale for a one-time cost of $5.34 (after tax) for a Lifetime License, and provides some extra customization options that I thought was worth the small cost - but I likely would have still be satisfied with the unpaid option.
AppGrid and LaunchOS (and I assume Launchie as well) each allow you to Import your (no-longer-used, but still in your system files) Launchpad database, so that you won't have to take a bunch of time rearranging all the app icons and boxes/containers (let alone having to remember exactly how you had Launchpad configured/organized on your previous OS), so the initial setup is a breeze to do. And after that, each of these options allow a varying degree of customization options that weren't present in the "old" Launchpad.
Anyway, I hope that helps some here that are wanting their Launchpad back after upgrading to Tahoe.
I was having the same frustrations and just saw a circle with three dots in the top right of the App search window. There you can choose "Grid". Makes a big difference for a visual person who doesn't always remember app names that I haven't used in a while.
ultraskywalker wrote:
Please allow Mac OS users to have the option to revert back to the LaunchPad.
No one participating in this user-to-user forum can give you what you want. You can let Apple know your thoughts here:
Meanwhile, you might consider a third party option such as Launchie.
Not everyone wants this update!
I suspect most people don't care.
z_zakiiii wrote:
Apps menu changed on the Dock with iOS 26
After updating the Mac OS to Tahoe, I am disappointed with the new Apps menu, with so small icons inside the box. The old menu like a iphones/ iPad was good. Does anyone knows how to make it default again?
Attaching screenshot of the new update of Apps .
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.0
re: < macOS 26 >
At this time there is no reverting back to the old LaunchPad
To be proactive you can submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple
I made the apps icons full size - accidentally.
I restarted my iMac in SAFE MODE and voila! All the app icons are back to their normal size!
EddieChangTC wrote:
I have a same comment on this, and I am **** frustrate with the new app menu. How can change back to the existing apps menu?
You can’t. Submit feedback using the link above your post.
Luis Sequeira1 wrote:
I keep being surprised by how many people clamor for the return of Launchpad...
From that window, just type two or three letters and press enter.
Better yet, ignore the Dock and just press Command-space, type two or three letters, like "Saf", press enter, and you are running Safari, "Ma", enter, and you are running Mail, etc.
Launchpad seemed like a giant iPhone screen. The Mac has a physical keyboard, you know...
+ 1
dialabrain wrote:
I do organize apps in folders such as Games, Graphics, Internet, Media, Office, etc. Never used Launchpad and not using Apps. I use XMenu to navigate but adding the Applications folder to the Dock then clicking on it works almost as well.
As I recall (take that for what it's worth), at some point, Apple began discouraging people from mucking about in the Applications folder. Possibly when they introduced LaunchPad? By then, Spotlight was good enough to replace ODev's LaunchBar and I just stoped doing folders for applications.
When App Library came out in iOS, I also stopped sorting apps into folders on my iPhone. I have three Home Screens with apps and widgets (one if I'm using my Work Focus). App Library certainly isn't perfect in its categorization but it's good enough combined with, you guessed it, Spotlight.
plasticarcade wrote:
That work if you only use a few apps and can remember the spelling for all of them. try 60 apps for my business, and I had all of them categorized by usage and an additional page for trash apps that get installed with all your main apps. Try adobe suite in of itself, I had a folder with 20 separate apps that adobe installs that you don't ever run or open they just get installed next to your adobe programs with similar names. a dozen other design apps, engineering apps, dont get me started how many apps I have to sort thorugh now to start a project. so I'm suppose to type in the names of all 10 apps that I need to run for a project at one time then sort through visually which ones are the duplicate trash similar named apps that you never use that seems innefficient to me.
Have you tried Launchie? I linked to it earlier in the thread. It's not the only option. If you search "LaunchPad replacements," I'm sure you'll find some others. Or, you can recreate those folders that you had in LaunchPad. I'd be inclined to use aliases but you can use the App folder itself and put whatever sub-folders you need. Then, put the App folder (or folder of your aliases) in the dock.
I don't know I think apple had a mistep here. I like organization and cleanliness and this doesnt seem organized to me. could be wrong maybe Im missing somthing.
Tell Apple:
steevi275 wrote:
What a disaster
No one participating in this user-to-user forum can do anything about it. You can let Apple know your thoughts here:
Meanwhile, you might consider a third party option such as Launchie.
Life goes on.
Luis Sequeira1 wrote:
I keep being surprised by how many people clamor for the return of Launchpad...
From that window, just type two or three letters and press enter.
Better yet, ignore the Dock and just press Command-space, type two or three letters, like "Saf", press enter, and you are running Safari, "Ma", enter, and you are running Mail, etc.
And, I don't have to waste my time putting things in folders and hoping that I remember which ones.
I wonder if the people who like LaunchPad have more applications than the people who don't? One of the complaints I've seen is that they don't remember the names of all of the apps on their computer. I admit, I don't remember absolutely everything I have installed but I do know the names of the things I regularly use. On rare occasions, I open the Applications folder and scan through it for something. But not more than every couple of months.
lipe14 wrote:
I agree with you 100%.
After updating to macOS Tahoe 26, I’m also very disappointed with the new “Apps” menu. It mixes iPhone/iPad apps with Mac apps in a messy way, and there’s no option to keep them separated or return to the classic Launchpad style.
You can turn off the iPhone/iPad apps. Settings>Spotlight. Go to the bottom and untick iPhone apps.
EddieChangTC wrote:
I have a same comment on this, and I am **** frustrate with the new app menu. How can change back to the existing apps menu?
You might consider a third party option such as Launchie.
I keep being surprised by how many people clamor for the return of Launchpad...
From that window, just type two or three letters and press enter.
Better yet, ignore the Dock and just press Command-space, type two or three letters, like "Saf", press enter, and you are running Safari, "Ma", enter, and you are running Mail, etc.
Launchpad seemed like a giant iPhone screen. The Mac has a physical keyboard, you know...
If you want just one click, put the app in the Dock. Then you can launch it that way.
With Launchpad it was at the very least one keystroke and one click, or two clicks.
With Spotlight it may be slightly more if you count individual actions, but it is all keyboard, zero clicks.
I understand that some people use the mouse more, others use the keyboard more.
I launch most applications with four key presses and without touching the trackpad.
For me, it is way faster. It may not be for you, of course.
Apps menu changed on the Dock with macOS 26
