Restore Launchpad on macOS 26 (Tahoe)

Apple retired the classic Launchpad in macOS 26 "Tahoe," replacing it with a new Spotlight overlay and Apps.app that many users find frustrating.

If you've tired the sudo terminal hacks and found them unreliable (or they stopped working in the final release), TahoePad is the permanent solution.

Don't rely on broken unexpected hacks

Terminal commands to enable the old specific Launchpad UI code are flaky and often break with minor macOS updates. TahoePad is a standalone, native AppKit application that doesn't rely on hidden system flags.

The Classic Grid, Restored

No more hunting through lists or struggling with the new Apps.app interface. TahoePad restores the visual grid layout, folders, and organization you missed.

Native Pinch Gestures

Muscle memory is powerful. We support the native 4-finger and 5-finger pinch gestures to open the overlay, restoring the seamless workflow you're used to—without conflicting with the new system gestures (once disabled).

Fast Application Search

Just start typing to find any app instantly. It’s the fastest way to launch apps on macOS 26, combining the best of Spotlight with the visual clarity of Launchpad.

See TahoePad in action

A quick demo of the classic Launchpad-style grid, smooth gesture activation, and fast app search.