With the introduction of macOS Tahoe 26, Apple has tweaked the way you access apps on your Mac. The familiar Launchpad is gone, and in its place comes a new “Applications” interface that closely resembles the App Library on iPhone and iPad. If you’re upgrading to macOS Tahoe, here’s how to make the most of this new app browsing experience.
Open the New Applications Interface
To open the new Applications interface, you can simply press Command + 1 on your keyboard. This is part of a new Spotlight enhancement called Browse Modes, which allow you to quickly switch between different views like Applications, Files, Actions, and Clipboard using shortcuts.
You can also access it manually by opening Spotlight (Command + Space) and selecting the Applications tab from the top of the interface. As it’s also integrated with the Dock, you can launch it just like the formerly “Launchpad”.
Explore App Categories
Once you’re in the Applications view, you’ll notice that your apps are now automatically grouped into categories, just like on the App Library in iOS. Categories include:
- Utilities
- Productivity & Finance
- Social
- Creativity
- Information & Reading
- Entertainment
- Other
At the very top, there’s also a Suggested section that intelligently surfaces frequently used or relevant apps based on your activity.
Choose Your Layout
macOS Tahoe gives you flexibility in how you view your apps. You can toggle between different layouts using the options in the top-right corner of the Applications interface. Simply, hit the menu icon at the upper-right and then choose the desired layout option.
- Tiled View by Category: Shows apps in groups with large icons.
- List View: Displays apps sorted by category or name in a vertical format.
- Alphabetical Tiled View: Organizes apps in A-Z order while maintaining a tile layout.
Use Spotlight Actions and Clipboard
Alongside the Applications interface, macOS Tahoe introduces new Spotlight features.
- Command + 1 – Launch Applications
- Command + 2 – Open Files
- Command + 3 – Trigger Actions
- Command + 4 – Access Clipboard (displays a full history of copied text and images.)
Wrapping up..!
And that’s about it! The new Applications interface in macOS Tahoe 26 offers a modern, intelligent way to browse and launch your apps. With familiar categorization from iOS and customizable views, it’s designed to be faster, cleaner, and more intuitive than the old Launchpad. Whether you’re a longtime Mac user or new to the ecosystem, this update is a welcome change that streamlines your workflow.
