Apple killed Launchpad, now it’s blocking your replacement

By Paulo Vargas Published March 26, 2026

Apple scrapped Launchpad in macOS Tahoe, but it isn’t letting developers bring it back either. A new app called AppGrid recreates the familiar grid-style launcher, yet Apple is rejecting new versions under rules that prevent apps from copying system features.

That leaves users in a strange position. You can still buy the app, but it won’t improve inside Apple’s storefront, which raises real questions about how these rules are applied.

The app’s creator built AppGrid to replace what Tahoe removed. When updates were submitted, Apple rejected them for mimicking a system experience it no longer includes, which highlights a clear tension in how the platform is managed.

AppGrid hasn’t been pulled from sale, which makes this situation harder to understand. The app remains available to download, but new releases are being turned away, so buyers are left with a version that cannot be improved through the store.

Apple’s decision ties back to its long-standing rule against replicating core system interfaces. Reviewers flagged the grid layout as too similar to the old Launchpad design, even though that design has already been phased out of macOS.

If the feature is gone, developers argue there’s nothing left to duplicate, yet Apple still treats that design as protected.

For users, the impact is practical. Bugs may linger longer, and meaningful improvements depend on updates delivered outside the App Store.

Other Mac apps already explore similar territory. Some offer grid-based launchers or customizable layouts that resemble Launchpad, even if they stop short of copying it exactly. AppGrid pushes closer to that original experience, but it isn’t operating in a vacuum.

A general launcher is allowed, but the boundary between inspiration and imitation isn’t clearly defined, which leaves developers guessing what will pass review.

Timing makes this harder to ignore. Tahoe removed Launchpad without offering a direct replacement, creating a gap that third-party apps are naturally trying to fill. Instead of encouraging that, enforcement here feels tighter.

That uncertainty may discourage developers from rebuilding familiar tools, even when users clearly want them back.

Right now, the most reliable option sits outside Apple’s ecosystem. The app’s creator is continuing development independently, offering updates through direct downloads instead of relying on the App Store.

That comes with a tradeoff. You’ll get faster improvements and a closer match to the old experience, but you’ll also give up the convenience of automatic updates and centralized distribution.

There’s no sign Apple plans to revisit this rule. It has been part of the App Store for years, and this case suggests it still applies even after a feature is removed.

If you relied on Launchpad, your next step depends on what matters more. You can stick with what macOS Tahoe offers today, or install a third-party alternative that restores the experience, even if it lives outside Apple’s store.