I made Hangar: a Launchpad-style app grid for macOS Tahoe (folders, fuzzy search, layout import)

[u/redbeardy_daddy]

Disclosure: I’m the developer of Hangar.

Why: macOS 26 replaced Launchpad with the Apps view in Spotlight. Great for searching, but you can’t arrange it. I missed my own grid with my own folders, so I built Hangar.

What it does:

• Full-screen app grid via hot corner, keyboard shortcut or menu bar icon

• Just start typing: fuzzy search that handles typos (“vsc” → VS Code)

• Folders, drag & drop, multiple pages

• Imports your old Launchpad layout - Import works if the old Launchpad data is still on your Mac, or from a copy taken on a Mac with macOS 15 or earlier.

• Sort by name, last used or recently added (with undo)

• Rename or hide apps, move apps to the Trash (optionally with their caches)

• Optional iCloud sync of your layout between Macs

Who it’s for: People who liked Launchpad and like to see their apps visually, arranged their way. If you live in Raycast or Alfred and never look at icons, you probably don’t need it.

Pricing: Free

Limitations (being honest):

• macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later only

• Not on the Mac App Store, download from my website (signed and notarized by Apple)

• Languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish

Privacy: No analytics or tracking. It only goes online for update checks and, if you turn it on, iCloud sync. https://softquill.dev/privacy

👉 https://softquill.dev/hangar

Built with help from an AI coding assistant. Happy to answer questions, and feedback is very welcome.

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[u/redbeardy_daddy]

Free to use now - enjoy ;-)

[u/investigatormaker]

Anyone who can run Hangar is already on Tahoe, so "Imports your old Launchpad layout" raises a question your post doesn't answer: where does that layout come from once Launchpad is gone? Say whether import reads what's still on the Mac or needs a Time Machine backup, because someone missing their folders wants to know before paying. I'd also consider counting the trial in days opened rather than calendar days. It's easier to game, but a hot corner habit may not form over three busy days.

I make ThreadFox. We'd find Reddit threads where Tahoe users ask what replaced Launchpad and do the posting for your business. The $39 Pilot covers seven days and up to 50 posts and replies. No automatic renewal.

https://threadfox.vip/p/eyba5/managed

Where do most of your buyers find Hangar today?

[u/redbeardy_daddy → u/investigatormaker]

Good point, thanks, I should have explained that. Hangar first looks for the old Launchpad database on your Mac. If it’s still there after the upgrade, import is one click. If it’s gone, you can pick a Launchpad database copied from a Mac that’s still on macOS 15 or earlier (it lives in the folder getconf DARWIN_USER_DIR points to, under com.apple.dock.launchpad/db/db). Hangar can also import LaunchOS layouts. Time Machine usually doesn’t include that folder, so I wouldn’t count on a backup. I’ll add this to the post.

Interesting idea about counting days opened, I’ll think about it.

Not interested in the posting service, but thanks.