Download LaunchOS only from launchosapp.com or the official download links provided there. A genuine copy is signed with a Developer ID certificate and notarized by Apple, so macOS Gatekeeper should recognize it without asking you to bypass security protections. If macOS says the developer cannot be verified, the app is damaged, or asks you to use “Open Anyway” in Privacy & Security, do not assume the file is safe—delete it and download it again from the official website.
Advanced users can run spctl --assess --type execute --verbose=4 /Applications/LaunchOS.app. A valid official build should be accepted and report a notarized Developer ID source.

On macOS 26, optional launch methods such as the F4 key and trackpad gestures use the Accessibility permission. In macOS 27, Apple moved the same permission to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Device Control and Data Access. It only lets LaunchOS receive or trigger the input needed for those optional launch methods; it does not give LaunchOS permission to upload your data.
Full Disk Access is separate and is used only when you choose complete uninstall, so LaunchOS can find and remove an app’s related files. These permissions are requested only when you use the corresponding feature; basic app browsing and launching do not require them.

Because of App Store review rules, third-party developers usually cannot publish a replica of a native system app, even when that original app no longer works in the latest system. LaunchOS closely restores the classic Launchpad experience, which is exactly why it is not a good fit for App Store distribution.
LaunchOS payments are processed by Paddle, which is also used by software companies such as MacPaw, the team behind CleanMyMac. Paddle protects your payment information. We only collect the email address needed for license management, such as sending, recovering, or resetting a leaked license.

Of course! LaunchOS offers both a Basic and a PRO plan. The Basic plan is completely free, while the PRO plan includes a 7-day free trial. After the trial ends, you can choose to activate it or continue using the Basic plan.

Sorry, we do not currently offer an education discount.

Payment failures are often caused by transaction risk controls or the bank authorization process. If your card or payment account shows a charge, the amount is usually returned automatically to the original payment method within one to five business days. Check your statement again later. If it has not been returned after five business days, contact [email protected] and include the relevant payment record.

After payment, you will receive two emails: a receipt and a license email. The license email may arrive a few minutes later than the receipt.
If you only received the receipt, please check your spam folder, as the license email may have been incorrectly marked as spam by your email provider.
If you received neither email, it usually means an incorrect email address was entered during checkout, or your email service cannot receive emails normally.
No matter the situation, don’t worry—contact us via the email below to resolve the issue.

Email us at [email protected] using the email address you entered when placing the order. If you can no longer access that address, provide the invoice email, order record, payment record, or any other material that proves ownership, and we will help recover the license.

Yes. Email [email protected] from the address used for the order and tell us the new address you want to use. If the original address is no longer available, provide an invoice email, order record, payment record, or other proof that you own the license.

If you can still access the old device:
Open LaunchOS on the old device, go to Settings → About → Device Management, remove the old device, and then activate LaunchOS on the new device.
If you can no longer access the old device:
Activate directly on the new device. When LaunchOS says the license is already in use or the device limit has been reached, click Device Management in the dialog, remove the old device, and continue activation.

Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet.
If you use a network proxy, firewall, or security tool such as Clash, Surge, AdGuard, Little Snitch, or LuLu, temporarily quit it or allow LaunchOS network access, then try activation again.
If the issue continues, switch to another network, such as a mobile hotspot, and retry.
If activation still fails, contact us at [email protected].

The LaunchOS Dock extension may not be turned on or may not have taken effect yet.
Open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Under Extensions, find LaunchOS, click the Info button (ⓘ) next to it, and turn on the Dock extension. Then quit and reopen LaunchOS to apply your new Dock icon.

Yes. LaunchOS is built around the parts of Launchpad people actually miss: a full-screen app grid, folders, drag-and-drop organization, visual browsing, spatial memory, and familiar ways to open it. It is not Apple’s original Launchpad, but it is designed to feel close to that workflow on macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 27 Golden Gate.