Use the same Mac account
The system Launchpad database lives in the current user's local macOS data. Run Facet from the account whose old app arrangement and folders you want to recover.
Import your old Launchpad layout on Mac.
You should not have to rebuild years of app organization because the system launcher changed. Facet can read an existing local Launchpad database and use its app order and named folders as the starting point for a new visual launcher.
Quick answer: install Facet, choose Continue Free, and use the first-run “Import your Launchpad layout?” screen. Facet shows the number of apps and folders it detected before importing. The feature is included in Facet Free. If you skipped it, open Facet Settings → Data → Re-import Launchpad Layout, then let the next scan rebuild from the available system layout.
What Facet imports—and what it leaves alone.
| Data | Import behavior | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Installed app references | Matched by bundle identifier | Apps still installed on the Mac can be placed in the imported order |
| Relative app arrangement | Used as the starting order | Facet preserves the sequence it can read, then lays it out using your current grid settings |
| Named folders | Imported with their app membership | Folder names and contained apps become editable Facet folders |
| Application files | Not moved or copied | Your app bundles stay in their existing macOS locations |
| Missing or uninstalled apps | Cannot be launched | Only applications Facet can currently discover appear as working launcher items |
| Exact old page geometry | Not treated as a pixel-perfect snapshot | Current icon size, rows, columns, and display mode determine pagination |
Check these three things before importing.
Confirm the old data still exists
Facet can import only when macOS still has a readable Launchpad database. If the database was removed during cleanup or migration, Facet will still scan installed apps but cannot reconstruct missing historical organization.
Reinstall important missing apps
If an imported reference points to an app that is no longer installed, there is nothing to launch. Reinstall essential apps before import for the most complete result.
Import the layout during first run.
- Open Facet and continue with the Free edition.Import is a permanent Free feature. You do not need to start the Pro trial or purchase a license.
- Review the detected layout summary.The import screen counts the apps and folders found in the local system Launchpad data. This lets you confirm that the source is not empty before continuing.
- Select Import Layout.Facet reads the existing order and folder structure, reconciles those references with installed apps, and creates its own local launcher layout.
- Open the launcher and inspect each folder.Check important work, design, utility, and media groups. The imported structure is editable, so correct anything that no longer matches your current app library.
- Choose your grid and shortcut.Icon size and layout controls determine how the imported order is displayed. Set a global shortcut so the restored organization is easy to reach.
Facet reads the source to build its own layout; it does not rewrite the system Launchpad database or move application bundles.
Re-import later from Settings.
If you skipped the first-run import or want to return to the system order, open Facet Settings → Data → Re-import Launchpad Layout and select Re-import. Facet marks the layout for re-import on the next scan.
Re-import is different from a simple app refresh. A refresh discovers newly installed and removed apps while trying to preserve your Facet organization. Re-import deliberately asks Facet to use the available system Launchpad order again, so review any Facet-only custom changes first.
What happens after the import.
New apps join without erasing your folders
Facet scans standard application locations and reconciles the installed app list with the saved layout. Newly discovered apps can be added while existing custom folders and order remain useful.
Folders become fully editable
Rename a folder, drag apps between groups, move an app out, or create a new folder by combining apps. The imported structure is a starting point rather than a locked copy.
Free access does not expire
The fullscreen grid, search, folders, ordering, Launchpad import, and global keyboard shortcut stay available in Facet Free. Pro is optional and adds compact mode, hot corners, and advanced customization.
Layout data stays local
Facet's app organization is stored on your Mac. Importing a local launcher arrangement does not require uploading your app list to an analytics service.
If Facet cannot find an old layout.
- Confirm installed apps still scan. If they do, Facet itself is working and only the historical Launchpad source is unavailable.
- Try Settings → Data → Re-import Launchpad Layout. This schedules another source read on the next scan.
- Do not run old Terminal restoration tricks. Commands from early Tahoe betas do not reliably restore final-release Launchpad and can interfere with Spotlight.
- Build folders in Facet Free. Drag apps together or use Move to Folder. Manual organization remains available even when historical data cannot be recovered.
- Contact support with the macOS version. Include whether the Mac was upgraded in place or set up as a new installation; do not send private database files unless support specifically requests a safe diagnostic.
Questions about Launchpad layout migration.
Can Facet import folders on macOS Tahoe?
Facet can import the folder structure that remains available in the current user's local Launchpad database. An in-place upgrade is more likely to retain historical data than a clean Mac setup, but availability must be detected on the device.
Does import preserve exact page breaks?
Facet preserves the readable app order and folder structure. Exact pagination can change because the active icon size, row and column settings, and fullscreen dimensions determine where page breaks occur.
Will re-import delete apps?
No application bundles are deleted. Re-import changes launcher organization and may replace Facet-specific ordering with the system source order; it does not uninstall software.
Is layout import part of Facet Pro?
No. Import is included in Facet Free together with the fullscreen launcher, search, folders, ordering, and global shortcut. Payment is only needed for optional Pro controls.