Apple has discontinued Launchpad and is now preventing the alternative.

      Apple has eliminated Launchpad in macOS Tahoe, but it is also preventing developers from reinstating it. A new application named AppGrid replicates the grid-style launcher, yet Apple is rejecting newer versions based on guidelines prohibiting apps from imitating system features.

      This situation puts users in a peculiar dilemma. While the app can still be purchased, it won’t receive updates within Apple’s storefront, raising legitimate concerns about how these rules are enforced.

      The developer created AppGrid as a substitute for the feature removed in Tahoe. However, when updates were proposed, Apple declined them for resembling a system experience that is no longer available, revealing a distinct conflict in the platform's management.

      Apple's policy blocks updates rather than sales.

      AppGrid remains on sale, complicating matters further. The app is still available for download, but subsequent releases are being rejected, leaving users with a version that cannot be enhanced via the store.

      Apple’s ruling relates to its enduring principle against replicating essential system interfaces. Reviewers deemed the grid layout too similar to the former Launchpad design, even though that layout has already been removed from macOS.

      Developers contend that if the feature no longer exists, there’s nothing to replicate; nonetheless, Apple continues to protect that design.

      For users, the consequences are clear. Bugs may persist for longer periods, and significant enhancements rely on updates provided outside the App Store.

      Why this appears inconsistent

      Other Mac applications have ventured into similar areas. Some provide grid-based launchers or adjustable layouts reminiscent of Launchpad, though they avoid direct imitation. AppGrid pushes closer to the original experience but isn’t functioning alone.

      A general launcher is permissible, yet the line between inspiration and imitation is not clearly established, leaving developers uncertain about what will be approved during review.

      Timing exacerbates this issue. Tahoe removed Launchpad without providing a direct alternative, creating a void that third-party applications are attempting to fill. This situation has led to a more stringent enforcement rather than encouragement.

      Such uncertainty might deter developers from reconstructing familiar tools, even when there is clear user demand for their return.

      What to do next if you want Launchpad back

      Currently, the most dependable option exists outside Apple’s ecosystem. The creator of the app continues independent development, offering updates through direct downloads rather than through the App Store.

      This option comes with its own drawbacks. Users will receive quicker enhancements and a more accurate replica of the old experience, but will miss out on the comfort of automatic updates and centralized distribution.

      There’s no indication that Apple intends to revisit this guideline. It has been a part of the App Store for years, and this situation implies that it remains in effect even after the feature’s removal.

      If you were reliant on Launchpad, your next decision hinges on what is more important to you. You can continue with the offerings of macOS Tahoe as they stand today, or opt for a third-party alternative that reintroduces the experience, despite it being outside Apple’s store.