Whether you’re in a hurry to find an app or just looking for more efficient ways to navigate, knowing multiple ways to open Launchpad can be useful. There are over 7 easy methods to open Launchpad on Mac and keep your workflow smooth and stress-free.
Table of Contents
1. From Dock
The easiest and most well-known way to open Launchpad on a Mac is by accessing it through the Dock. Just click on the Launchpad icon (a grid of nine colorful squares) to open it.
2. Trackpad Gesture
Mac’s trackpad gestures provide versatile navigation within macOS. By simply pinching with your thumb and three fingers on the trackpad, you can quickly access Launchpad on your Mac.
If it doesn’t work, it means that the feature is disabled on your Mac, and here’s how to enable it:
1. Click on the Apple logo and go to System Settings.
2. Go to Trackpad settings and switch to the More Gestures tab.
3. Turn on the toggle next to Launchpad and you’re good to go.
3. F4 Key (Intel Only)
Another quick way to open the Launchpad on your Mac is by pressing the F4 key, which is available on Intel-powered Macs and Magic Keyboards.
Note: This method won’t work on a Macbooks running on Apple silicon.
4. Keyboard Shortcut
If you want to use the keyboard shortcut to open the Launchpad, this method is for you. Here’s the step-by-step process:
1. Click on the Apple logo and go to System Settings.
2. Navigate to the Keyboard section and click the Keyboard Shortcuts button.
3. Select the Launchpad & Dock tab and check the box next to Show Launchpad.
4. Press your desired key combination in the empty field to set it as the shortcut for accessing Launchpad (e.g., Cmd + L). Once set, click Done.
5. Hot Corners
Mac has a unique and handy feature called Hot Corners, which you can use to access Launchpad and more. However, it’s turned off by default, so you need to enable it. Let’s see how to set up Hot Corners on your Mac.
1. Navigate to System Settings > Desktop & Dock and click the Hot Corners button.
2. Click on one of the blank screen corners.
3. Select the Launchpad option for the desired corner of your Mac and then hit Done.
Now whenever you place your mouse pointer in the same corner of the screen, it will open the Launchpad on your screen.
Note: While running an app, you may accidentally open Launchpad by moving the mouse to the assigned corner.
6. Spotlight Search
Spotlight search on Mac is a powerful tool. You can also use it to access the Launchpad on your Mac. Let’s take a look at the steps to do so.
1. Click on the Search icon in the menu bar to open the Spotlight search or press the Cmd + Space key to do the same.
2. Type Launchpad and wait for the results to appear. Once the Launchpad appears click on it to access it.
Also Read: Spotlight is also available on your iPhone. We have a detailed guide covering over 15 ways to use Spotlight on iPhone.
7. Touch Bar
If you have a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, you can use it to open the Launchpad on your Mac quickly. Simply locate the Launchpad icon on the Touch Bar and tap it to open.
Launch the Launchpad Effortlessly
There you have it, folks. These are some of the easiest ways to open Launchpad on your Mac. Instead of relying on a single method, choose the ones that best suit your preferences and workflow. This will help you save time and streamline your Mac usage.
