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How to Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac

You can typically start Launchpad by pressing F4 on your keyboard, or your can create a custom shortcut. You can also do a three-finger pinch on a touchpad, or assign Launchpad to a Hot Corner on your screen. Press .. This is the default...

Method 1 of 4:

Using the F4 Key

  1. How to Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac Picture 1
    Press .F4. This is the default shortcut for Launchpad on most newer Macs.
    1. If this doesn't work try, Fn+F4.[1]
Method 2 of 4:

Using Trackpad Gestures

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    Place three fingers in the top-right corner of the trackpad.
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    Place your thumb in the bottom-left corner.
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    Pinch your thumb and three fingers together. Make sure all four digits make contact with the trackpad as you pinch.[2]
  4. How to Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac Picture 5
    Enable the gesture if it was disabled. You can enable this gesture from the System Preferences menu:
    1. Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
    2. Click the Trackpad option.
    3. Click the More Gestures tab.
    4. Check the Launchpad box.
Method 3 of 4:

Using a Keyboard Shortcut

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    Click the Apple menu. You can set your own shortcut to open the Launchpad as well. Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. How to Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac Picture 7
    Click System Preferences. If the main System Preferences menu does not appear, click Show All. This button has a grid with 12 dots on it.
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    Click Keyboard. This is in the second section.
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    Click the Shortcuts tab.
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    Click the Launchpad & Dock option.
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    Click the Show Launchpad box to enable it.
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    Press the key or combination you want to use.
  8. How to Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac Picture 13
    Press your new shortcut to open Launchpad.
Method 4 of 4:

Using Hot Corners

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    Click the Apple menu. You can turn on the Hot Corners feature, which will allow you to start Launchpad by moving your mouse into a corner of your screen.
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    Click System Preferences.
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    Click Desktop & Screen Saver. This is in the first row of options.
  4. How to Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac Picture 17
    Click the Screen Saver tab.
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    Click Hot Corners. This button is in the lower-right corner.
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    Click the menu for the corner you want to activate. Each menu corresponds to one of your screen corners.
  7. How to Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac Picture 20
    Click Launchpad.
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    Move your mouse to the corner to open Launchpad. Launchpad will pen when your cursor is in the corner.
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