Launchpad is gone in macOS 26 and users hate the replacement

macOS 26 (“Tahoe”) swaps the old full-screen Launchpad for a new Apps panel tied more closely to Spotlight. On paper it’s cleaner and less intrusive; in practice, heavy Launchpad users say it’s a downgrade that slows them down. For broader context on why Tahoe’s UI is controversial, see our roundup: macOS 26 critics: cluttered & inconsistent.

macOS 26 Critics say the new UI Feels Cluttered and Inconsistent

Apple’s macOS 26 “Tahoe” arrives with Liquid Glass, a system-wide redesign that makes the menu bar fully transparent, rounds window corners, and introduces floating sidebars and toolbars across core apps. It’s a bold swing meant to unify Apple’s platforms — but the rollout is exposing design seams that heavy Mac users can’t unsee.