LaunchOS 2.1.0 — macOS

Version 2.1.0 of LaunchOS, the Launchpad-style app organizer from Remix Design Studio, adds two practical features while keeping the familiar look and behavior of the original Launchpad. It still works as a full replacement for the built-in Launchpad workflow, supporting both ARM and 64-bit Intel Macs.

What stays the same

LaunchOS remains a straightforward organizer for macOS applications. You get the same grid of icons, the same search, and the same feel as the original Launchpad, but with more control. You can hide selected apps so they don't clutter the view, and the app keeps its clean, uncluttered interface.

Adds app uninstallation and a Restart option

The main addition is app uninstallation. You can now remove an app by long-pressing its icon or using the right-click context menu. That makes cleanup a two-step job without leaving LaunchOS. The update also adds a Restart option to the status bar menu and the right-click context menu, which is handy when an app misbehaves.

Working with LaunchOS

After you copy LaunchOS to your Applications folder, you launch it from Launchpad just like any other app. From there, you organize, hide, or remove apps as needed. It's a simple tool for a simple job, and version 2.1.0 makes it a bit more complete.

How LaunchOS compares with similar Mac apps

There are a few ways to organize and launch apps on a Mac, and LaunchOS is not the only option. Here is how it stacks up against two common alternatives.

LaunchOS versus Alfred

Alfred is a keyboard-focused launcher that does a lot more than show app icons. You type a few characters, and it finds apps, files, contacts, or web bookmarks. It is fast and flexible, but it does not give you the visual grid that Launchpad users are used to. LaunchOS keeps the icon-based layout. If you prefer seeing your apps arranged in a grid and you miss the original Launchpad behavior, LaunchOS is the closer match. Alfred is better if you want to launch everything from the keyboard without looking at a grid.

LaunchOS versus Finder and the Applications folder

The Applications folder in Finder is the simplest way to browse installed apps. You can sort by name, date, or kind, and you can drag apps to the Trash to uninstall them. It works, but it does not have the full-screen grid or the search animation that Launchpad offers. LaunchOS brings back that full-screen experience with the option to hide apps and uninstall them directly. For someone who never liked Launchpad in the first place, the Applications folder is enough. For someone who used Launchpad regularly and wants it back with more control, LaunchOS is the better fit.

Will not slow down your Mac or run in the background

Will LaunchOS slow down my Mac?
LaunchOS is a lightweight app that runs when you open it. It does not run in the background or consume resources when you are not using it. On a Mac with macOS 26, it should feel responsive.

Can I still use the original Launchpad after installing LaunchOS?
Yes. LaunchOS does not modify system files or disable Apple's Launchpad. It sits in your Applications folder like any other app. You can launch one or the other, or keep both and use whichever you prefer.

Does LaunchOS work with multiple displays?
It opens on the display where you launch it, like most macOS apps. If you use an extended desktop, you can move it to another display as needed.

What happens to my existing Launchpad folders and layouts?
LaunchOS does not read or import Apple's Launchpad data. You set up your own grid, hiding and arranging apps the way you want. It is a clean start.

How LaunchOS fits with other apps and macOS features

LaunchOS works alongside the rest of macOS without interfering. You can still use Spotlight, the Dock, or the Applications folder to launch apps. The app uninstallation feature in version 2.1.0 uses the same right-click context menu that macOS uses in Finder and other apps, so the workflow feels consistent. The Restart option is available both in the status bar menu and the context menu, matching the pattern that many Mac users already know.

Because LaunchOS supports keyboard shortcuts and gestures, it integrates well with macOS system settings for accessibility and input. You can assign a keyboard shortcut to launch LaunchOS itself, then use another shortcut to open an app inside it. The Liquid Glass design effect in macOS 26 is supported, so the visual style matches the current system appearance without looking out of place.

Gives Launchpad fans more control over their app grid

LaunchOS is most useful for people who liked the original Launchpad but wanted more control over what shows up. If you have a lot of apps installed and you prefer a visual grid over typing names into a search field, LaunchOS gives you that view with the ability to hide utility apps, system tools, or anything else you do not need to see every day.

Users who manage multiple Macs, such as office IT staff or small business owners, will appreciate the consistent layout. Once you set up your grid, it stays the same until you change it. The uninstall feature saves a step compared to dragging apps to the Trash from the Applications folder. For someone who helps other users keep their Macs tidy, LaunchOS is a straightforward tool that does not require explanation.

People who work with a limited set of apps every day may not need it. But if you switch between many apps and you miss the visual organization of Launchpad, LaunchOS version 2.1.0 is worth a look.

• Added app uninstallation with long-press and right-click triggers.
• Added Restart in the status bar menu and the right-click context menu.

• macOS 26 or later
• Apple Silicon or 64-bit Intel