# Open your app grid with a hot corner on Mac

A CubbyPad hot corner opens the grid when your pointer arrives at a chosen screen corner. Pair it with the right display setting, especially when you use an external monitor.

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

## Make a pointer movement do the opening

A hot corner is useful when your hand is already on the mouse. Instead of reaching for a key combination, move the pointer into the chosen corner and open the app grid there. CubbyPad fires once when the pointer arrives.

Choose the corner in Settings › Opening. Before you rely on it, move the pointer there from a few ordinary windows and check that it does what you expect. A corner you regularly cross by accident may be a poor choice for your setup.

## Check which display gets the grid

CubbyPad can open on the display with your pointer or a particular display. A hot corner on one screen and a grid that appears on another can feel like a failed action even when the app opened. Pick the display behavior that matches how you move between screens.

## Test your everyday desk arrangement

1. Connect the displays you normally use.

1. Set the CubbyPad hot corner in Settings › Opening.

1. Choose pointer-based or fixed-display opening.

1. Move into the corner, launch an app, and return to your work.

1. Keep a keyboard shortcut available for times when the display arrangement changes.

## Closing should be just as easy

Escape, clicking empty space or switching to another app closes the grid. If a corner causes more interruptions than it saves, change or disable that opening control. Your pages, folders and other opening methods stay available.

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

### 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.

[### Keyboard launcher or visual app grid: which fits your Mac?

Typing is quick when you remember a name. A visual grid helps when you remember an icon or a group. CubbyPad combines both without making you choose one habit.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/keyboard-launcher-vs-visual-app-grid/)[### What a one-time CubbyPad license includes

CubbyPad Solo covers one active Mac and Duo covers two. Both unlock every feature and all 1.x updates, with no subscription and a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/one-time-purchase-mac-launcher-license/)[### Import a LaunchNext layout into CubbyPad

CubbyPad can read a LaunchNext layout from the same Mac or a chosen .launchnext backup or Data.store file. The import replaces the CubbyPad arrangement after confirmation.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/import-launchnext-layout-into-cubbypad/)

## 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/hot-corner-app-launcher-mac/