Some of you are probably wondering, like I did, why some of your applications aren't available in Launchpad. You launch Launchpad and wonder, 'Why isn't Microsoft Word showing up in Launchpad?' or 'Why isn't Quicken in Launchpad?' or 'Why isn't my favorite app that I keep on my Desktop not in Launchpad?' There are a variety of reasons that an app may not appear in Launchpad.
Apps Outside the Applications Directory
Launchpad automatically grabs all applications in your root /Applications directory and in your /User/username/Applications directory. If you keep some of your apps in other locations, they won't appear in Launchpad automatically. To add them to Launchpad, simply drag the app onto the Launchpad icon in the Dock. (Thanks to Eric S for the tip.) Or move the application to your main Applications directory or to your user Applications directory. Or make an alias of it and put the alias inside your Applications directory.
Try to catch a folder in a Launchpad for adding an app:) This video is unavailable. 'When you download an app from the Mac App Store, it automatically appears in Launchpad.' ' Add an app to the Dock: Drag the app to the Dock, then drop the app to the left of the Dock’s separator line. The app is in the Dock and in Launchpad.'
PowerPC Apps
In Lion, PPC apps have a white 'NO' symbol across the icon
In some cases, it's because the application in question is a PowerPC-only app and won't run on your computer under Lion, which did away with Rosetta. Only apps that are Intel or Universal Binary can run under Lion, and Launchpad only shows applications that can actually run on your computer.
You can tell if this is the case by going into your Applications directory, and looking at the applications icon. PPC-only apps will have a white 'NO' symbol superimposed atop the icon. In the screenshot at right, you can see that my Retrospect 6.1 has the white 'NO' symbol — telling me that I'll have to upgrade Retrospect or find a different backup program, because Retrospect 6.1 won't run under Lion.
The solution? Unfortunately, the best solution is to bite the bullet and update your PPC apps to newer versions. You could keep a boot drive handy with Snow Leopard on it, and boot from that to run a PPC app. Or you could hack Snow Leopard to make it run under Parallels, but let's not even go there.
Once you update your PPC apps to a newer, Intel or Universal Binary version, they'll appear in Launchpad just like any other application.
Yeah, I know, when it's big-ticket applications such as Microsoft Word, having to spend the money for a newer version bites, especially if you were happy with the old version. But if you're bleeding-edge enough that you've already updated to Lion, you should be bleeding-edge enough to keep your applications more current. I've found that it's generally a bad idea to get more than one version behind with any of my important applications. I might skip a version, but then when another version comes out, I go ahead and upgrade. Then when I get a new computer or a new big-cat operating system, the upgrade isn't quite so painful.
Windows Apps
In other cases, it's because the app in question is a Windows app that you use under Parallels or VMWare. I couldn't wait to stop Launchpad from showing me the gazillion Windows apps in my 3 Windows installations under Parallels, but you might want the opposite.
The solution is to go into your virtual machine configuration, Options -> Applications, and check the box to 'Share Windows applications with Mac.'
To make Windows applications appear in Launchpad, check the box to 'Share Windows applications with Mac'
Drill-Down Apps
You might find that your application is located in a subdirectory inside a subdirectory inside a subdirectory in your Applications directory. If that's the case, it's probably in some random application 'group' that Launchpad helpfully created for you. If the app is in an application group in Launchpad, you don't have to physically move it around in your Applications directory; you can simply go into Launchpad and drag it out of the group.
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Update: Or you can simply drag the app onto the Launchpad icon in the Dock, and it will appear in Launchpad. (Thanks to Eric S. for that tip in the comments below.)
Or you can make an alias of the app and put that in the top level of the Applications directory. Then the alias will appear in Launchpad just like any other application.
Did I Miss Any?
Are you aware of any other instances when an application doesn't show up in Launchpad? If you are, let us know by using the comment box below their website.
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By Nathan E. Malpass, Last updated: August 27, 2019
Assuming your usual methods of opening applications just isn’t sitting right with you, Launchpad might be what you are looking for
The Mac OS has a ton of methods to launch programs and applications like the Dock, Finder or even Spotlight search. And for those who know of another method, Launchpad. What is Launchpad and how to use Launchpad are some questions you might be asking right now?
Part 1. What Is Launchpad
Much like the name suggests, Launchpad is a launching point for applications or a program. Launchpad is often shown with a ton of icons of various applications, as one might surmise, these are the programs found in /Applications folder. So if you honestly think about, if you are very comfortable with the interface of an iPad or iPhone, this might indeed be a program that would agree with you. It’s quite handy if you know how to use Launchpad and if you want to learn more, keep on reading.
Part 2. How to Use Launchpad on Mac
Well to start using Launchpad, we best know how to start up Launchpad. Good thing that the good people of Apple, decided to allow Launchpad multiple methods of opening. You can open it in any of the following methods:
- Find it in your dock and simply click on Launchpad
- Use your touchpad and do a four-finger pinch and that should also work
- Check out the keyboard and you should notice a Launchpad button on most Macs, usually in F4 to make things easier
How to add an app to Launchpad
Now that we have it started, you might have noticed that some of your favorite apps may not be in the Launchpad. That makes things difficult for you to use it and pretty much pointless, doesn’t it? Well, fret not, it’s amazingly simple to add apps to Launchpad and is of course part of this how to use Launchpad article.
Start off by opening Launchpad and then simply find the app you want to add, left click on it until it begins to wiggle and then drag it to Launchpad. And that is as simple as it gets.
How to remove an app from Launchpad
It’s great that you were able to add apps to Launchpad but it is highly likely that you don’t want all the apps in there, to begin with. Let’s now move on to how you can remove those apps. Please note, however, that not all apps can be removed and some are built-in or run in the background.
To start the removal, startup Launchpad, find the app you want to remove. Once again, do the long press until it starts to wiggle. You will notice on the upper right there is an X, press it and it should remove the app from your Launchpad.
How to search using Launchpad
Alright, things are going great with you and Launchpad, you’ve customized it to your liking and pretty much can’t live without it anymore. Now though, it looks like you got a little too eager and there are a bit too many apps floating all over Launchpad. You need a little order but first things first, you need that app you’ve been looking for in a hurry. Again, thankfully it isn’t too hard to take care of the search function either.
As soon as you start the Launchpad and all your apps are showing up, you will notice a search bar on top of Launchpad. Select it and then type in the name of the app and it should show up just as quickly.
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How to move an app in Launchpad
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That was a great way to find an app in a rather messy Launchpad. You are realizing that you need some order and need some instructions from the article of how to use Launchpad and you want to know how to move apps around. Don’t worry, much like the other actions it is also quite simple.
With Launchpad open once more, select the app you want to move and press it and hold until that familiar wiggle starts happening again. From there just drag it where you want to and there you have it.
You will also notice that if you drag it over another app, it will offer to form a folder and you can categorize it accordingly to the way you want, quite a handy way to keep things organized actually.
Missing apps on Launchpad
Mac How To Add App To Launchpad Ipad
Some apps might start to disappear from Launchpad and even after you install it, it might not show up and that can be a little frustrating. This is usually something that happens to third-party apps and while it might not be a sure fire way to resolve it, here is a good way to try and fix it.
Start from your desktop this time. Search for the Go option on the bar above, it should be in between View and Window. In the drop down menu look for Library and press and hold the Option Key as you click it.
You will notice that you can choose the Application Support Folder option, do just that and then double click on the Dock folder option. Find all files that end in the file .db and throw it all in the trash. After that restart your Mac and as soon as you start up Launchpad that should pretty much fix all your concerns.
How To Edit Launchpad MacPart 3. Overall Thoughts
Launchpad is a pretty amazing tool, especially if you really like the iPad and iPhone interface and with a little practice, it can get really easy to use. You have this guide on how to use Launchpad and if you followed most of the steps, you should, in fact, have very few issues using the app and being able to maximize and customize it to your own personal preference. Happy surfing!
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