Launchpad Series · 03 / Guide
IconPane Guide: Bring a Familiar Launchpad Experience Back to Mac
This guide walks through the first setup. The fastest way to evaluate IconPane is to use it with your own app library rather than reading a feature list.
Install and open IconPane
Download the DMG, move IconPane to Applications, then open it like a normal Mac app. IconPane requires macOS 15.6 or later and is verified on macOS Tahoe.
The core app grid works locally. Open it from the menu bar, Dock, global shortcut, hot corner, or a four/five-finger pinch; only trackpad gestures require Accessibility permission.
Browse and search apps
Open the panel and scan the app grid, or use search for local names, Pinyin or romaji, initials, and common spelling variants. Frequent apps can be prioritized by launch frequency and recency.
Use browsing when the icon or position is easier to remember than the app name. Use search when the name is already in your head.
Arrange icons and folders
Drag apps into the order you want, group related apps into folders, and spread large app collections across pages.
A useful starting point is to put daily work apps near the front, occasional utilities in folders, and experimental apps on later pages.
Enable gestures
Trackpad gestures are Pro features and can be tried during the trial. Choose the gesture mode in settings, then grant Accessibility permission when macOS asks for it.
If the gesture does not work, recheck Accessibility permission and confirm that the selected gesture mode is enabled.
Troubleshooting checklist
IconPane refreshes the app list automatically. If an app is still missing, check the selected app search sources and whether the app is hidden.
IconPane requires macOS 15.6 or later and is verified on macOS Tahoe; Liquid Glass search and folders require macOS 26. A 14-day trial is included. Lifetime licenses are US$7 for one Mac, US$12.99 for two, and US$17 for three; the live checkout page is the final reference.
What is current in IconPane 1.3.16
IconPane 1.3.16 requires macOS 15.6 or later and is verified on macOS Tahoe. The same app grid can be opened from the menu bar, Dock, global shortcut, hot corner, or a four/five-finger trackpad pinch.
- Localized search: match local names, Pinyin or romaji, initials, and common spelling variants. Frequent apps can be prioritized by launch frequency and recency.
- Smart folders and workspaces: use three read-only rules: Recently used, Installed in the last 7 days, and Unused for 30 days. Save three layouts and switch with ⌃⌥⌘1–3.
- Daily controls: customize app search sources, hide apps, compact pages, choose the overlay display and Dock visibility, and rely on automatic app-list refresh.
- macOS 26 polish: the search bar and folders use Liquid Glass on macOS 26 while the grid remains available on macOS 15.6+.
Trackpad gestures and per-app launch shortcuts are Pro features and can be tried for 14 days. Only trackpad gestures require Accessibility permission.