Tech

How to add a quick access app launcher to the MacOS dock


woman with laptop in front of her

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The MacOS desktop interface is a very user-friendly interface that makes it easy to work with your applications. With each iteration of the desktop, it gets better and better.

Those of you who have worked with MacOS for a while are probably familiar with using a combination of the dock and Launchpad icons to open your installed applications.

There is another way to accomplish this task, one that may feel a bit more traditional for users who prefer multiple ways to open their apps.

This alternative method is similar to Launchpad, without the search option. In other words, it’s just a simple application menu.

This may seem redundant, but I find it useful because it puts an apps menu on both ends of the MacOS Dock, meaning you can access your installed apps from the left or right side of the MacOS Dock. monitor for a more efficient workflow.

This feature is built into MacOS but is not enabled by default. I’ll show you how to add this app launcher to your MacOS toolbar.

Also: How to configure apps to start at login with MacOS

How to add a quick access app launcher to the MacOS dock

Adding this menu to the Dock is a rather hidden undertaking. You won’t find it in System Preferences or Dock Settings. In fact, I stumbled across it and I’m glad I did because I prefer using this method of launching apps over Launchpad.

How do you add it? It’s pretty simple (once you know how).

Request

The only thing you need for this is a MacOS device with an up-to-date version of the operating system. I will prove it with MacOS (v13.0). That’s it. Let’s add this menu to the Dock.

The first thing to do is open Finder, which can be done from the MacOS Dock.

In the left sidebar, you will see the section Applications. If you click on that item, it will show all your installed apps in Finder. Conveniently, you can launch any application from there.

The Applications section in MacOS Finder.

All your installed MacOS apps are found here.

Photo: Jack Wallen

Also: How to force quit stubborn apps on MacOS

If you tap with two fingers (or right-click if you use a mouse) the Applications item in the left sidebar, a new menu will appear. From that pop-up menu, click Add to Dock and a New Applications Menu will appear to the right of the MacOS Dock.

Right-click context menu in MacOS Finder.

Add the Application Menu to the MacOS Dock.

Photo: Jack Wallen

Click on the New App Launcher Menu to show all your installed apps. Click on any launcher to open the app you want to use.

MacOS app launcher menu.

Another method to launch apps in MacOS.

Photo: Jack Wallen

And that’s all to add another method of opening apps in MacOS. Try this App Launcher and see if it doesn’t become the app launcher you need or just a means to complement Launchpad. Either way, this trick definitely helps.

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