Launchpad is gone: how to see all your apps now

Why it happens

From macOS Tahoe, Launchpad has been replaced by Apps, a view built into Spotlight. It does the same job: it shows every app on your Mac and lets you open one with a click. The old Launchpad icon simply isn't there any more.

How to fix it

1. Look in the Dock for the Apps icon, a grid of small app icons, and click it. All your apps appear.

2. No Apps icon? Press Command-Space to open Spotlight, then press Command-1. Spotlight switches to showing only apps.

3. Scroll through the list, or start typing an app's name to narrow it down. Click an app to open it.

4. To put Apps back in the Dock, open your Applications folder in Finder and drag Apps into the Dock, among the other apps.

   Finder›Go›Applications

Still not fixed?

1. If an app is missing from Apps, check it's in your Applications folder. Apps kept in Downloads or on the desktop may not show, so drag them into Applications.

2. Just updated? Your Mac may still be indexing. Give it some time plugged in, then look again.

3. Open an app you use a lot, Control-click its Dock icon and choose Options, then Keep in Dock. It stays there for one-click access.

4. Restart your Mac if Apps or Spotlight doesn't open or shows a blank window.

5. If Spotlight still won't show your apps after a restart and the latest macOS update, contact Apple Support for help.