How to Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac
Method 1 of 4:
Using the F4 Key
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Press .F4. This is the default shortcut for Launchpad on most newer Macs.- If this doesn't work try, Fn+F4.[1]
Method 2 of 4:
Using Trackpad Gestures
- Place three fingers in the top-right corner of the trackpad.
- Place your thumb in the bottom-left corner.
- Pinch your thumb and three fingers together. Make sure all four digits make contact with the trackpad as you pinch.[2]
- Enable the gesture if it was disabled. You can enable this gesture from the System Preferences menu:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Click the Trackpad option.
- Click the More Gestures tab.
- Check the Launchpad box.
Method 3 of 4:
Using a Keyboard Shortcut
- 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.
- 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.
- Click Keyboard. This is in the second section.
- Click the Shortcuts tab.
- Click the Launchpad & Dock option.
- Click the Show Launchpad box to enable it.
- Press the key or combination you want to use.
- Press your new shortcut to open Launchpad.
Method 4 of 4:
Using Hot Corners
- 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.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click Desktop & Screen Saver. This is in the first row of options.
- Click the Screen Saver tab.
- Click Hot Corners. This button is in the lower-right corner.
- Click the menu for the corner you want to activate. Each menu corresponds to one of your screen corners.
- Click Launchpad.
- Move your mouse to the corner to open Launchpad. Launchpad will pen when your cursor is in the corner.
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Jessica Tanner
Update 04 March 2020