# How to choose a Launchpad replacement for your Mac

Start with opening controls, editable folders, search and layout recovery. Then check compatibility, privacy and licensing against the way you actually use your Mac.

By [Rudra Satani](https://cubbypad.com/about/), maker of CubbyPad · 26 October 2026

## Start with what you miss

Write down the action you want back: a pinch, F4, a full-screen grid, or apps in a particular folder. A replacement that solves that action is more useful than a long feature list you never touch.

If Spotlight’s Apps view already does enough, you may not need another app. If you depend on spatial memory, ask whether a launcher keeps icons where you put them and lets you undo arrangement changes.

## Check the parts you will use every day

- Opening: keyboard shortcut, F4, trackpad gesture, hot corner and display choice.

- Organization: manual folders, moving several apps, sorting and hidden apps.

- Search: initials, misspellings and keyboard navigation.

- Recovery: old-layout import, backups and a way to reverse mistakes.

- Presentation: readable icon sizes, labels, background and reduced motion.

## Separate core features from optional AI

CubbyPad requires macOS 26 or later. Its app grid, regular search, folders and layouts work without Apple Intelligence. Task-based app suggestions and model-based organization additionally need Apple Intelligence enabled on a supported Mac. Check those requirements separately.

## Read the purchase and privacy details

CubbyPad is made by the publisher of this article. Solo covers one Mac and Duo covers two; both include all features and 1.x updates. There is no in-app trial and there is a 14-day money-back guarantee. Compare actual terms rather than assuming every launcher has the same license or privacy model.

## Sources and further reading

- [Apple: View and open apps in Spotlight on macOS Tahoe](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/open-apps-in-spotlight-mh35840/26/mac/26)

Published by CubbyPad’s maker. See [about CubbyPad](https://cubbypad.com/about/) for the author and product details. For corrections, [get in touch](https://cubbypad.com/contact/).

## Put it into practice.

[Guide

### Choose how to open the app grid

Set up the keyboard shortcut, F4, a three-finger pinch, a hot corner, or the Dock and menu bar icons.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/opening/)[Guide

### Change the look of CubbyPad

Start with a preset, choose a background, and adjust icon size, spacing, labels, icon packs and the way the grid opens.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/customize/)[Guide

### Set up layouts, Focus and iCloud sync

Keep separate app arrangements, pair them with a Focus, and share them through your own iCloud Drive.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/layouts/)

## More on launchpad and tahoe.

[### Can you recover your old Launchpad folders after Tahoe?

CubbyPad can import the pages and folders left by an older Launchpad installation if its database is still on your Mac. A fresh installation may have nothing to import.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/restore-launchpad-layout-after-tahoe/)[### F4 opens Spotlight: how to use it for your app grid

CubbyPad’s F4 option makes the Launchpad or Spotlight key open its grid while CubbyPad is running. You can keep Command–Space assigned to Spotlight.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/f4-opens-spotlight-instead-of-launchpad/)[### Use a three-finger pinch to open your Mac apps

CubbyPad can open its app grid with a three-finger trackpad pinch and close it when you spread your fingers. Check the gesture choice if macOS opens a different view.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/three-finger-pinch-app-launcher-mac/)

## Make room for your apps.

Every feature. One-time purchase. Made for macOS 26.

[Find your plan](https://cubbypad.com/pricing/)

Source: https://cubbypad.com/blog/choose-launchpad-replacement-mac/