Launchpad: It's More Useful Than You've Been Told

[@flashgdh8788]

As a "newbie" to Apple I actually enjoy using the Launchpad & use it a lot. Thanks Gary for the tips in this very informative clip.

[@trumphy911]

Thanks Gary, i am in the “I like it and use it all the time” camp. Good video for people who are not yet aware.

[@Bartletters]

I've been using Macs since 1988 and by watching your guides I realise I've been very unadventurous in tinkering under the hood/bonnet, and very lax in keeping up with the power behind the screen. Thanks.

[@danparton8220]

I love the Launchpad and most often use the Search box at the top!

[@rono33]

Still the best Mac explainer on YT. Makes things so easy and pro tips etc., things I didn't even know Mac OS does. .

[@Daniel-xl2qu]

Thank you for this detailed overview of Launchpad features. The presentation is very clear and explicit.

[@realbillsmith]

If, like me, you were getting frustrated at the beginning of the video because of the pretty basic instructions: Keep watching or skip to around 9:20. The terminal commands were interesting and something I did not know. Great tip. Thank you.

[@geebee2276]

Amazing - been using a Mac for nine years and I still find all sorts of hidden gems in your vids that I haven’t used. Much appreciated Garry.

[@rpm773]

As one who likes to keep a clean desktop and just a few, very-frequently used apps in the dock, I use Launchpad and appreciate it. Particularly the searching capabilities. I

[@PizzaJet1984]

This video was extremely informative. I think the biggest issue with Launchpad is that it has an iOS/iPad type interface, which isn't always the best on desktop. For example, being able to automatically arrange the grid alphabetically would be useful on my 32" 4K screen, whereas on a smaller iPhone screen it make sense to have an order based on usage. This is the same reason I dislike System Settings. I really appreciated the dock tips via terminal and will use a few of these.

[@bikeman5]

a solution to organizing lauch pad is creating groups, drag an app over another app creating sub folder, put all music apps in one, movie apps in another, ms office apps in another putting numbers pages keynote in one lable it apple office. then you can keep your launch pad on one page. i found this to be super handy

[@paulrs2975]

You convinced me of this awhile back- I now keep very few apps in the dock and use LaunchPad for everything else. Thanks

[@ojustaboo]

New to the Mac so your videos are very useful. I spent ages putting all my music software in its own folder, then I followed your guide, messed around with column sizes etc, then thought I would reset it to default. I then discovered, resetting to default also undoes the folder I created, If only I hadn't paused it at that point and had watched the next 5 seconds of your video where you explain this lol

[@ICariousV]

For the first time this makes me realize how much my Mac aesthetic could match up with iOS and iPadOS - especially with Stage Manager in the picture. Now… if widgets on the Mac could be added to launchpad and not just the desktop… then the crossover possibility would be complete.

[@brianhecimovich4488]

I’m waiting until next year to go through all this customization IN HOPE they add focus mode specific desktops/launchpads to MacOS similar to on iOS and iPadOS

[@rogerf3622]

Great video! I use Launchpad all the time but I still learned a few things here. Thanks.

[@Steve-PT]

Another great video with loads of useful tips. I found it really helpful and as always, well explained. Great job Gary.

[@loisskiathitis8926]

A very useful and informative video tutorial today! Thank you, Gary!👏❤️

[@realkevintaylor]

I stumbled across your video. I’ve been an avid Mac user for well over decade, and I don’t think I’ve ever used launchpad as I was watching this. I got on my computer and started exploring it. It’s actually pretty good. I usually just use spotlight.

[@franknicholasdale4595]

This is useful, it’s another point of view, which always helps. You never stop learning

[@lrr1952]

Great info! I just got an iMac in August. It was a pretty easy move from a WinPC, but I’ve used iPhone and iPad for years. It’s been nice to pop in here to learn a few tricks.

[@TheEricBooth]

I had no idea that you could just click and hold to bring up the list of apps like that. Very useful. Thanks.

[@gruv2nz]

I use Launchpad a lot of the time. Good video thanks

[@stephenbridges2791]

I think I like your tip about assigning a keyboard shortcut. I think I am even going to use the one you gave. Nice to have those Terminal commands, too. Good information, as always.

[@lonepalm73]

As a trackpad for life user even on the desktop. I always use Launchpad with the pinch of the trackpad. I put my most frequent apps on page one. It's crazy that it was the last way mentioned in this video . Pinch and click.

[@philiprand3720]

Hats off (as usual). I was dismayed when my new iMac M4 didn't react Ito F4, giving me Spotlight instead. Then I created a key command which worked (yesterday ). (There was no icon for launchpad in the dock, perhaps a development in OS 15(-1)?) It had stopped working today, but fortunately, I spotted your video on launchpad and set up a keyboard code. That seems to be working.

[@r.a.monigold9789]

OK Gary, following the Magician theme - You've just turned an annoyance into a useful utility ! Thank you

[@carlupthegrove262]

As usual a lot of stuff here I didn't know..... thanks...very helpful

[@jmcgilvary]

Another useful video! I like launchpad but did not how much you can do with it! Thanks

[@kevinmckenna5682]

Once I learned that you can use the Dock menu to open apps similar to the old Apple menu, I began to use Launchpad. I keep everything in it neatly organized into folders like Productivity, Internet, Games, etc, and then it became really easy to use.

[@zchovan]

I like to organize my apps via categories using LaundPad too, but it's SO buggy for me and it seems like Apple refuses to fix it. It will, eventually and without fail, undo all my folders. Or change my icons around that I meticulously placed. Or randomly duplicate icons. Or completely swap the Home Screen order. It's absolutely absurd and it happens to me *constantly* without warning or without me doing anything. I don't do anything egregious on my Mac--90% of my apps are from the App Store as well. I don't know why this always happens to me.

[@MacDa-yy8xn]

I liked this post. Learned a few more things.

[@matthew.trickett]

The command/option trick for hot corners makes the feature worthwhile now I know about it. I turned it off before because I kept accidentally triggering it. Thanks!

[@bikeman5]

awesome, i love launch pad, just added suggested short option+space, i already had it set for hot corners top right, bottom right mission control, top left desktop bottom left is display sleep. you are always helping us mac users become more efficient and complete task quicker, thanks for all your tutorials gary. for me ive used lots of your teachings. however i dont like iPhoto nor do i put my document folder and desktop in icloud. ive lost docs before by shutting off icloud, they ended up on wrong device or appeared lost, not sure why i did it, maybe adding new device.

[@nidostar2013]

Thanks Gary. Very informative. I do find it amusing though that there are those who feel hamstrung by Launchpad to the point of deleting it or bad-mouthing it. The joy of the Apple OS is that there are a variety of ways to achieve the same result. Launchpad is just one example of the OS’s versatility. As you rightly say if it doesn’t appeal to you then don’t use it.

[@writerdamien]

Thanks Gary, very useful. I'll give Launchpad a go.

[@JaRuggierojr]

Thanks Gary, I learned some useful tips.

[@strengthbydesign]

Thank you, I’ve always liked Launchpad but only accessed it with the 4 finger swipe gesture, it’s good to be reminded there are other ways of accessing it, it’s so convenient. the funny thing is I’d never really noticed before that it’s an exact copy of how the iPhone screens work, silly me.

[@NirmalaSekhar]

I have organised the apps in folders as I have on my iPhone and iPad. Have max 2 pages on the launchpad

[@macbitz]

Love the tip about changing the number of columns and rows in Launchpad. I wonder if there's a way to turn on/off the app names? I use a little app called Overflow as a Launchpad replacement as it allows much more customisation, but this was a really useful video. Thank you.

[@mv80401]

re termina commands on screen: rather than typing it I take a screenshot, open in Preview and highlight an copy it as plain text, then spit it out. I use that a lot when I take screenshots of webinar slides so I can rename them with the title of the slide.

[@cottagekeeper]

This is great just like iPhone-thanks so much, this is very useful!

[@razvanmihai4884]

Excellent tutorial again, Gary. You prompted me to try using LaunchPad as an alternative to the Dock, only to find that I cannot find the Finder app in LaunchPad. No pun intended.

[@razvanmihai4884]

Found a solution to add Finder to the Launchpad. Go to /System/Library/CoreServices, find the "Finder" file, and drag and drop it onto the Launchpad icon in the Dock. I then moved it to the first Launchpad page by using the search trick you showed in the tutorial. Thanks for the prompt.

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

I like using Launchpad. However, I'm glad you showed me some tips I didn't know about.

[@esmeegloria]

Yess another great video thank you🤗

[@scottray9564]

Hi Gary, can I ask what the "Apple Discussions" icon in your launchpad is? Maybe that is something that you created yourself and it's not an app?

[@macmost]

See kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXmXhWCQm5xsm7M

[@DannerPlace]

Great info, thanks.

[@Papa-hs6yg]

I support Gary through Patreon on a monthly basis. Occasionally a creator will come up in the algorithm who is quick, gets to the point, no flashy come-ons, and that's Gary. and I pay to exclude advertising, so the only ad I get is hopefully none, but usually one sponsor ad that is embedded in the video, can't get away from that, unfortunately. IDEA: have Patreon contributors be able to delete the sponsor pitch. It would mean direct payments to creators in place of payments from advertisers ("sponsors") so that KZbin premium would truly exclude all sales pitches. I try to skip forward a bit to jump over the 'sponsor' pitch.

[@macmost]

So you mean Patrons don't get ads in the videos? I already have that. The videos here in KZbin will have ads (KZbin doesn't care about whether you are a Patron or not) but the videos are my site (macmost.com) do NOT have ads. Oh, and thanks for your support!

[@brianoxley7276]

I love Gary’s content - always learn something!

[@WCouselo03]

I recently purchased a brand new M3 iMac in blue and absolutely love it!! However, the F4 keyboard no longer launches the Launch Pad! Is there a way I can assign F4 to launch the Launch Pad?🙏🏼

[@macmost]

I show you right at the start of the video where you can assign a keyboard shortcut.

[@clasqm]

I have rarely-used apps installed on an external drive. I know I can create a shortcut and move it to /Users//Applications but is there a way to have Launchpad recognize /External/Applications directly?

[@macmost]

No, the way you mentioned is how to do it.

[@DirectorWD40]

Amazing! 🤯

[@Ryan-co6ze]

Hi there I am using MacBook Pro m1 2020. I tried to use external ssd on it and use the whole protocols to install latest os on external SSD but when process completed it does not start . Seems like my Mac does not accept. When I click to start it does not show any response. What to do ? Thank you

[@macmost]

Not sure what the problem could be, but you shouldn't use an external drive for the main drive. It is probably much slower than your internal drive, and the connection is even slower than that. So all access to macOS, most apps, and the very important memory swap would be slowed. You would be brining down the speed of your whole Mac by several factors.

[@rickgregory920]

It's just simpler to use spotlight or dock , this seems like added complexity (not that it's complex) but relly not useful part of the operating system

[@haraldbrukx9543]

Hi, how are you doing that with the small video in the corner?

[@macmost]

You mean me in the corner in front of the screen capture? That's just how I make my videos. It is using layers in ScreenFlow. But you can do the same in other apps and even in FaceTime or Zoom now.

[@yunomi1950]

You reminded of a question I've had for yours. How do you find settings you can change with defaults write? Is there a list of most, if not all?

[@macmost]

It depends on the app, really. Most of the time hackers (the good kind) look into how apps work and then comment online about any settings like that they find. Then word spreads around.

[@aitchmail]

would you know how to add a folder in the mac menu?

[@macmost]

Sorry, I'm not sure what you are asking.

[@lawrenceatkinson]

I prefer the trackpad gesture to launch Applications and I removed the launchpad icon from the dock... never had a reason to use Spotlight (disabled most item's to display intentionally)... spotlight is there to better ease multi tasking / multiple screens users doing more things per time and on an external keyboard (my take) I am intentional creating and moving things on my machine so I should know where are at all time... thats how I got to know my Mac better going through menus one by one (and your videos) knowing how to do stuff and where to find what I want then the ease way (Spotlight)

[@sundaynightdrunk]

I rarely used Spotlight until watching Gary's video about it. You can check scores there, you can look things up, you can do math. I use it all the time now for quick look ups.

[@FJA---]

Always put all your apps in Launchpad into Folders. Much easier to navigate around to get what you want.

[@HerewardDundasTaylor]

At 9:46 after resetting the launchpad a folder has remained called ‘Other’. Why is this? Great tutorials by the way!

[@macmost]

That's a default folder that holds a variety of "Other" apps that come with macOS.

[@sundaynightdrunk]

Right-clicking the Launchpad in the Dock is how I launch the majority of apps I use. It's very quick.

[@ToadstoolFilms]

The combo of CMD+Space or putting the applications folder on the right side of the dock has always been my method. Much better than Launchpad in my view. Nice video, but not sold me on Launchpad.

[@garudasomanna]

Whenever you open your mouth you seem to be teaching something new! Thanks.

[@Johnthetripper]

Thanks Gary

[@desertpatient]

Thanks bunches

[@ANOTHER-DAY-ANOTHER-STUFF]

sir any new tutorials for apple grapher n jxa scripts? pls

[@macmost]

Sorry, I don't have anything that covers using JXA with the Grapher app.

[@paullinsay115]

Is there any way to arrange the icons alphabetically when you have LP open?

[@macmost]

No, just when you click and hold the LaunchPad Dock icon.

[@mendodsoregonbackroads6632]

I never use launchpad, probably because I have almost everything in the Dock, but I’m going to give it a try now.

[@nici1782]

That is a great look into the Launchpad. I admit, I have never used it and still won't as I much prefer spotlight.. Actually, spotlight coupled with Raycast is so powerful.... I wish one day you would show how powerful Raycast can be (Quicklinks with the browser of your choice, Snippets that work every time (the Mac keyboard replacement doesn't work in many 3rd party apps...)

[@reyzahra]

I am using an Imac 2017 with the latest OS it wont let me rename folders in Launchpad at all :( :( :(

[@fasttwitchmedia149]

Launchpad is a very useful engine

[@Daniel-xl2qu]

Question for Launchpad fans 🙂: Once we have organized the Launchpad to our liking, is there a way to copy the changes to save them? If we want to go back, what file should we restore from Time Machine? Thank you in advance for the answers.

[@macmost]

No, there's really no way to do that.

[@Liam_Maddog]

“Hey Siri, launch Calendar.”

[@Mhosborn]

For me, the title of this video is a bit misleading. I saw very little describing Launchpad's usefulness. Instead, there was plenty of information on how to launch it. (Full disclosure...I stopped watching at about halfway...perhaps the "usefulness" section was closer to the end).

[@macmost]

Not sure what you mean. It is mainly for launching apps.

[@1otrebor]

@@macmostThe title of the tutorial suggests there’s more to the video than launching apps.

[@mosijahi3096]

@@1otreborthat’s the way you interpreted it , his message was clear to me.

[@TrevorMatthews]

Spotlight is still faster and easier at least for my workflow

[@PhysicalAssetManagement]

@macmostvideo, You are one of my favourite persons. Thanks for this help.

[@nmtay]

Really miss that dedicated LaunchPad button on the keyboard.

[@artysanmobile]

I’ve always liked Launchpad. My eye-brain seems perfectly wired to spot the image I want in an array of 50 or so of them. It’s a little like a super dock.

[@michaelmckeever9]

Apple Discussions Mac app?

[@macmost]

Sorry, I don't know what you are asking.

[@franknicholasdale4595]

I find using folders on iPhone is better than shortcuts

[@LTVoyager]

Now if I could just get Finder to always come up in a larger window…. I’ve tried a few ways people have suggested, but nothing seems to stick.

[@macmost]

Finder window sizes are remembers on a per-folder basis. So create a new Finder window and it will open to your default folder. Now resize. Then close that window. Now open a new Finder window and it returns at that size. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHy7dJ16aa2Xprs

[@dougspaeth6931]

Can you change number of rows on iPad or iPhone also - that would be fantastic. Just that on thing about changing rows is an awesome tip!!!! Can't wait to try. Please help me do that on iPhone and iPad - please please!!!!!

[@macmost]

You mean on the iPhone/iPad Home screens? No, there's no way to customize that.

[@glootfrootswoot]

I’ve been wanting this for years. Always thought it was weird that they wouldn’t let the larger screens get an additional row of icons but then again it’s probably all about making all the device experiences consistent

[@defel1]

The usefulness of this video is that it reminds me that LaunchPad is part of Apple's redundancy philosophy.

[@Konrad111111]

I Use CMD+ESC for Launchpad.

[@TheDanEdwards]

Informative, but I find it easier to just keep in my dock an alias to the Applications folder. LaunchPad is very much for those who were trained to use iPhones.

[@JohnnyLeuthard]

Why add the extra step of Launchpad? If you are going to go there and then search why not just use spotlight? That's all I ever use. Launchpad just adds glitter for me to have to sort through so I still struggle to find a lot of use. Every now and then there is that obscure app I don't use that often that I forget the exact name but recognize it when I see it. But that is assuming it is listed there. not every app I have installed shows up. I guess it's another option for people that work differently that I do but in the bigger picture I'm still struggling to see where it really helps. If Apple came out with a touchscreen Mac then I can see where it might bear useful. It actually feels like that's what they are preparing for at some point? Doubtful as I think they would put there money on iPad Pro replacing Mac but that's what launchpad feels like to me.

[@macmost]

What extra step? That's my point in this video. Spotlight is one keyboard shortcut + typing + Return. LaunchPad is ALSO one keyboard shortcut + typing + Return. Same amount of steps. The difference is that LaunchPad only finds apps so it is faster. Spotlight sometimes has a slight delay and sometimes will find a file or other item before it finds the app you want to launch.

[@stephanemignot100]

I just use Alfred to launch apps or to open docs

[@blueice3124]

the fact that you can't sort apps is insane, how do you add a sorting option?

[@macmost]

Do you need them in alphabetical order? Click and hold LaunchPad in the Dock and you get exactly that.

[@blueice3124]

@@macmost I know and I already did that but it's not the same as having the launcher in alphabetical order. I don't need it it's more like a preference. Thanks anyways, it's more on Apple, appreciate your videos!

[@revco196]

It should really be called App Library.

[@johnupdate]

I am wondering: What exactly is the difference between Launchpad and the Dock?

[@macmost]

They appear in different places and the Dock has lots of other functions: context menus to show commands and open windows for each app, folders and files on the right side along with the trash, etc. I have lots of videos on the Dock and what it does.

[@runforrestrun1965]

Why cant i remove items from launchpad by dragging them to the bin? It doesnt let me. Annoying. I have about 10 or more apps that no longer work as they are old and not supported but cant drag them out of launchpad to delete them. Aargh.

[@macmost]

LaunchPad lets you uninstall Mac App Store apps. To uninstall third-party apps you installed outside the App Store, use the official uninstall method for that app. Usually that is just dragging them to the trash from the Applications folder in the Finder.

[@Absorbing146]

✌💯

[@Warick.Grubb.]

I was watching your tutorial and accidentally removed launchpad, I found it in applications and dragged it back... (brand new to macs, less than 24hrs)

[@1otrebor]

I’m not sure it’s “more useful than I’ve been told” as this tutorial is mostly about settings for Launchpad.

[@thirdrockjul2224]

👍

[@robertbrzheintzbrz147]

Still makes no sense to me. Cmd-space for spotlight, then type “calc” (if “c” isn’t enough already), and hit return. Edit: maybe that’s just me. I do exactly the same on my phone - except for games (who remembers the correct name of games once they’re out of school??)

[@macmost]

If that works for you, great. But as I note in this video Spotlight does a lot and if you already know you want to launch an app, then why be possibly held up by other search results or a few seconds of delay white Spotlight finds the app. Launchpad is always fast.

[@duckpond-studio]

Sorry, launchpad is a bad joke!

[@Daniel-xl2qu]

I think you should again pay attention to the segment that starts at 11:20 (live and let live)

[@one42chrisp]

Is it possible to remove it from the dock completely? I find it to be very annoying taking up valuable space that I would prefer to use differently.

[@macmost]

Sure, you can remove it just as you would remove anything else from the Dock.

[@dallasrieck7753]

you don't know what i've been told😉

[@alps747]

My takeaway after spending 12 minutes watching the video is the launchpad is as useless as I thought. It's an obscure tool which no one uses because everything the tool/app does, it can be done in other simpler ways. There, I saved your 12 minutes.

[@billbowman8747]

If I’m going to search, I’ll just go immediately to spotlight. I see no reason to add a middleman.

[@Daniel-xl2qu]

I often forget the names of certain applications. For example, in Launchpad I create a zVideo folder in which all my video tools are located (Scoop, Subler, Shutter Encode, etc.). If I'm looking for an app whose name I've forgotten, right-clicking on the Launchpad icon in the Dock brings up the zVideo folder at the bottom where it's easy to find the app whose name I've forgotten.

[@Daniel-xl2qu]

I often forget the names of certain applications. For example, in Launchpad I create a zVideo folder in which all my video tools are located (Scoop, Subler, Shutter Enc, etc.). If I'm looking for an app whose name I've forgotten, right-clicking on the Launchpad icon in the Dock brings up the zVideo folder at the bottom where it's easy to find the app whose name I've forgotten.

[@Mziselman]

But you didn't tell us how to USE it; you just showed us lots of ways to organize/rearrange it.

[@macmost]

Not sure what you mean. I show you all sorts of ways.

[@yunomi1950]

@macmost Gary, there is one thing I don't remember spelled out specifically: click an icon to open an app. Tho, since LaunchPad is just a maximized Dock, this does seem obvious.

[@nicfarrow]

Hmmm. First time I find myself unconvinced by a Macmost vid. I go to the dock or open a finder window and there are my apps. Done. Maybe I just use fewer apps than many.