LaunchNext
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📥 Download
Download here - Get the latest release
⭐ Consider starring LaunchNext and especially LaunchNow!
MacOS Tahoe removed launchpad,and it's so hard to use, it's doesn't use your Bio GPU, please apple, at least give people an option to switch back. Before that, here is LaunchNext
Built upon LaunchNow by ggkevinnnn - huge thanks to the original project! I hope this enhanced version can be merged back to the original repository
LaunchNow has chosen the GPL 3 license. LaunchNext follows the same licensing terms.
⚠️ If macOS blocks the app, run this in Terminal:
sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/LaunchNext.app
Why: I can't afford Apple's developer certificate ($99/year), so macOS blocks unsigned apps. This command removes the quarantine flag to let it run. Only use this command on apps you trust.
What LaunchNext Delivers
✅ One-click import from old system Launchpad - directly reads your native Launchpad SQLite database ( /private$(getconf DARWIN_USER_DIR)com.apple.dock.launchpad/db/db ) to perfectly recreate your existing folders, app positions, and layout
- directly reads your native Launchpad SQLite database ( ) to perfectly recreate your existing folders, app positions, and layout ✅ Classic Launchpad experience - works exactly like the beloved original interface
- works exactly like the beloved original interface ✅ Multi-language support - full internationalization with English, Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, and Russian
- full internationalization with English, Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, and Russian ✅ Hide icon labels - clean, minimalist view when you don't need app names
- clean, minimalist view when you don't need app names ✅ Custom icon sizes - adjust icon dimensions to fit your preferences
- adjust icon dimensions to fit your preferences ✅ Smart folder management - create and organize folders just like before
- create and organize folders just like before ✅ Instant search and keyboard navigation - find apps quickly
What We Lost in macOS Tahoe
❌ No custom app organization
❌ No user-created folders
❌ No drag-and-drop customization
❌ No visual app management
❌ Forced categorical grouping
Data Storage
Application data is safely stored in:
~/Library/Application Support/LaunchNext/Data.store
Native Launchpad Integration
Reads directly from the system Launchpad database:
/private $( getconf DARWIN_USER_DIR ) com.apple.dock.launchpad/db/db
Installation
Requirements
macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later (MacOS15 would work but some feedback said that you can not open folder, I can't test it.)
Apple Silicon or Intel processor
Xcode 26 (for building from source)
Build from Source
Clone the repository git clone https://github.com/yourusername/LaunchNext.git cd LaunchNext Open in Xcode open LaunchNext.xcodeproj Build and run Select your target device
Press ⌘+R to build and run
to build and run Or ⌘+B to build only
Command Line Build
Regular Build:
xcodebuild -project LaunchNext.xcodeproj -scheme LaunchNext -configuration Release
Universal Binary Build (Intel + Apple Silicon):
xcodebuild -project LaunchNext.xcodeproj -scheme LaunchNext -configuration Release ARCHS= " arm64 x86_64 " ONLY_ACTIVE_ARCH=NO clean build
Usage
Getting Started
First Launch: LaunchNext automatically scans all installed applications Select: Click to select apps, double-click to launch Search: Type to instantly filter applications Organize: Drag apps to create folders and custom layouts
Import Your Launchpad
Open Settings (gear icon) Click "Import Launchpad" Your existing layout and folders are automatically imported
Display Modes
Windowed : Floating window with rounded corners
: Floating window with rounded corners Fullscreen : Full-screen mode for maximum visibility
: Full-screen mode for maximum visibility Switch modes in Settings
Advanced Features
Smart Background Interaction
Intelligent click detection prevents accidental dismissal
Context-aware gesture handling
Search field protection
Performance Optimization
Icon Caching : Intelligent image caching for smooth scrolling
: Intelligent image caching for smooth scrolling Lazy Loading : Efficient memory usage
: Efficient memory usage Background Scanning: Non-blocking app discovery
Multi-Display Support
Automatic screen detection
Per-display positioning
Seamless multi-monitor workflows
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Q: App won't start? A: Ensure macOS 15.0+ and check system permissions. (Note that some feedback said you can not open a folder on MacOS15)
Contributing
We welcome contributions! Please:
Fork the repository Create a feature branch ( git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature ) Commit changes ( git commit -m 'Add amazing feature' ) Push to branch ( git push origin feature/amazing-feature ) Open a Pull Request
Development Guidelines
Follow Swift style conventions
Add meaningful comments for complex logic
Test on multiple macOS versions
Maintain backward compatibility
The Future of App Management
As Apple moves away from customizable interfaces, LaunchNext represents the community's commitment to user control and personalization. I hope apple cound bring launchpad back.
LaunchNext isn't just a Launchpad replacement—it's a statement that user choice matters.
LaunchNext - Reclaim Your App Launcher 🚀
Built for macOS users who refuse to compromise on customization.
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