Install Launchie on macOS

Launchie is available from the Mac App Store and as a direct download, which is also what Homebrew installs. Both versions are maintained, receive the same updates at the same time, and have the same features. Pick whichever fits how you manage your Mac.

	Mac App Store	Homebrew / direct download
Updates	Automatic through the App Store	brew upgrade, and Launchie tells you when a new version is out
Launchie Pro	In-app purchase through Apple	One-time license key, use it on up to 5 Macs
Best for	Most people	Developers and anyone who prefers Homebrew

A Pro purchase belongs to the version you bought it for: an App Store purchase does not unlock the Homebrew version, and a license key does not unlock the App Store version. If you switch versions after buying Pro, I can move your purchase over.

1. Mac App Store

1. Open the Launchie listing on the Mac App Store.
2. Click Get to install (or Update if you already have Launchie).
3. Launchie installs into /Applications and updates automatically through the App Store.

2. Homebrew

Launchie ships in the official Homebrew cask repository.

brew install --cask launchie

Updating and managing Launchie with Homebrew:

# Update to the latest version
brew update && brew upgrade --cask launchie

# Remove Launchie
brew uninstall --cask launchie

# Inspect the cask metadata
brew info --cask launchie

Homebrew on macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 27 Golden Gate

The cask works on macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 27 Golden Gate, on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. If you do not have Homebrew yet, install it first:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Then run brew install --cask launchie. Homebrew installs the same signed and notarized build as the direct download, so macOS opens it without a Gatekeeper prompt.

The Homebrew and direct download version is also the one that supports trackpad gestures with Launchie Pro: a three-finger swipe down opens Launchie, and the thumb-and-three-finger pinch can open Launchie instead of the macOS Apps view.

3. Direct download

1. Download the latest .dmg from the GitHub release page.
2. Open it and drag Launchie.app into /Applications.
3. Launch it. The app is signed and notarized by Apple, so it opens without any Gatekeeper workaround.

Launchie checks for new versions and shows a download button in Settings when one is available.

Launchie Pro in the Homebrew and direct download version

1. Buy Launchie Pro. Checkout is handled by Polar, and your license key arrives by email.
2. Open Launchie, go to Settings → Pro, paste the key, and click Activate.
3. One key works on up to 5 Macs. To move it to another Mac, use Deactivate This Mac in the same place first.

Switching between versions

Both versions keep your layout, folders, Spaces, and settings in the same place, so you can switch without losing anything. Install only one of them at a time. To move from one to the other in either direction, follow Switch between the Mac App Store and Homebrew.

Still running an older version, such as 1.0.x? Update from an older version shows where to find Settings in those builds, how to back up your layout first, and how to upgrade.

System requirements

• macOS 26 Tahoe or newer
• Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, or newer). Intel might work, but is not tested.

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Need help with something else? Let me know from within the app or via GitHub issues.