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How to quickly open the list of installed apps in macOS 26

shamsigai

October 12, 2026

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If you recently updated to macOS 26 and reached for the familiar Launchpad icon in your Dock, you probably noticed something odd: it is gone. Apple significantly reworked Spotlight search in this release and merged it with a brand-new application launcher window — and that new window has effectively replaced the old Launchpad.

The change is great for keyboard users, but what if you prefer the mouse? Clicking through Finder to the Applications folder every time you want a visual list of your programs gets old fast. Fortunately, macOS has a classic power-user feature that solves this elegantly: Hot Corners. With one quick flick of the cursor, you can summon the full list of installed apps — no keyboard required.

Where the app list lives in macOS 26

In macOS 26 (Tahoe), the Spotlight shortcut opens a redesigned search window that now doubles as your app launcher. Your installed applications appear as a browsable grid right inside it. It works well — but it is built around typing. For a purely mouse-driven shortcut, Hot Corners are the answer, and they have been part of the Mac for years. Apple’s Mac support pages document the feature, and outlets like 9to5Mac have covered the macOS 26 Spotlight overhaul in depth.

Set up a Hot Corner to open your apps

Here is the exact setup, step by step:

1. Open System Settings (from the Apple menu or Spotlight).
2. Go to Desktop & Dock in the sidebar.
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the section and click Hot Corners….
4. Click the pop-up menu for the corner you want to use — bottom-right is a popular pick — and choose Applications from the list.
5. Click Done.

That is it. Now flick your cursor into that corner and the installed-apps window springs open instantly.

Prevent accidental triggers with a modifier key

Hot Corners are fast — sometimes too fast, firing when you merely overshoot a window close button. macOS has a built-in fix: hold down Control, Option, Command, or Shift before you pick “Applications” in the Hot Corners menu. The corner will then only trigger when you move the mouse there while holding that key. It is the best of both worlds — instant access, zero misfires.

Once you are comfortable customizing your Mac this way, check out our other macOS guides — like how to enable face lighting during video calls on Mac — and our walkthrough for setting up message sync between iPhone and Mac to keep your devices working together.

If it still doesn’t work

If the corner does not respond, first confirm you clicked Done in the Hot Corners sheet — the assignment only saves then. If you set a modifier key, make sure you are actually holding it while testing. Still nothing? Try a different corner (trackpads and multi-monitor setups can make one corner awkward to hit), then restart your Mac; the Dock process that handles Hot Corners occasionally needs a fresh start after major updates. Video demos of the whole flow are easy to find on YouTube if you want to see the clicks in action.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get the old Launchpad back?

Not exactly — Apple replaced it with the new launcher in macOS 26. The Hot Corner method above is the closest mouse-friendly replacement, and many longtime Mac users find it faster than Launchpad ever was.

Do Hot Corners work with multiple displays?

Yes, but only the corners of your combined desktop area trigger actions — inner corners where two displays meet will not fire. If you use several monitors, test each outer corner to find the most comfortable one.

Conclusion

macOS 26’s new app launcher is a genuine improvement once you adapt — and with a Hot Corner assigned to it, opening your full apps list becomes a single, thoughtless mouse gesture. Set it once in System Settings, add a modifier key if you are worried about misfires, and you will never dig through Finder for an app again.