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macOS: Reset Launchpad Apps Order

macOS: Reset Launchpad Apps Order

March 14, 2017 by Mitch Bartlett 14 Comments

The Launchpad in macOS helps you access applications quickly. If you decide you want to reset the Launchpad apps where they appear in their default order, you can follow these steps.

  1. From the Finder, select “Go” > “Utilities” > “Terminal“.
  2. Type the following command, then press “Enter“.
    • defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true; killall Dock

The Launchpad apps will then be refreshed to their default state.

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Filed Under: macOS

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. replay.local says

    November 13, 2021 at 2:58 am

    Launchpad Resets are Driving Me Nuts
    There plenty examples such as below of reset command for Launchpad…but I dot more resets .. its random one that bugging me. I need bak the config file so that resets randomly I can restore it.
    – **
    “`
    defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true; killall Dock
    “`
    **
    This write to $HOME/Library/preferences/com.apple.dock.plist does it? That fie has nothing but config re the dock apps as far as can tell. I’m trying find where the Launchpad layout config is stored, because after I have spent hpours sorting all icons out into group and pages its reset itself 3x now. While I could perhaps consider this as a zen exercise designed to help me cultivate an acceptance of ultimate futility of all human endeavour. A more likely outcome should this repeat itself, is I that kick the crap the Macbook, and swear solemn oath of bloody vengeance against Apple Inc AND any and all associate advocates and apologists. Nobody needs that. So where do you o suppose this launchpad.app data is stored? Thank-yyou.

  2. Happy Harry says

    February 9, 2021 at 7:24 pm

    I was one step away from restoring Catalina in hopes it wouldn’t overwrite my data (2 month old laptop/OS, didn’t want to have to deal with a backup restore) because of a missing application in Launchpad. This worked, THANK YOU!

  3. AnnaLisse says

    July 21, 2020 at 2:05 am

    very good. thank you.

  4. DBR says

    January 30, 2020 at 3:16 am

    Yeah, it did help… Thanks a lot.

  5. Cynthia Cavanaugh says

    December 25, 2019 at 6:41 am

    Best. Tip. Ever. Other sites had answers like, “Sorry, can’t do it. Or, click and hold on an app and drag each one (LOL).” This site actually had an answer. Not exactly intuitive to have to go to the Terminal, but I’m comfortable with it and it didn’t require sudo since it’s just for my logged-in user, me.

  6. Peter F. says

    December 5, 2019 at 12:04 am

    I think I lost one of my apps. I upgraded to Catalina before doing this.

  7. Yurii Savchenko says

    November 19, 2019 at 4:28 am

    It works on Catalina 10.15.1 also, so enjoy of result…

  8. Devin Columbus says

    November 15, 2019 at 6:22 pm

    Has anyone figured out a way to do this with Catalina?

  9. Phong says

    November 12, 2019 at 3:08 am

    Nice command. Thanks!

  10. Desh says

    August 8, 2019 at 10:06 pm

    How do I add back the apps after the reset? TY!

  11. blueb0x says

    July 10, 2019 at 10:32 pm

    Thank you so much!

  12. Peter says

    June 5, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    I had a bad updated app stuck as well, worked perfectly!

  13. Jo says

    March 22, 2019 at 11:26 am

    Thank you God! Was looking for a solution for a while. Greatly appreciated.

  14. Pock says

    February 4, 2019 at 2:22 am

    Thank you so much, I had a bad app download jammed on launchpad with no way to remove it. This worked! Thank you!

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Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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