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I've just switched to macOS. I'm wondering if there is a way to show Launchpad and Spotlight using single button shortcut, like Windows does with Window key and the Start bar?

It would be very handy to me (possibly without external softwares..).

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  • Sadly it looks like this is not possible. The default is ⌘ + Space but you can't change it to only ⌘ because that key is treated as a modifier, and shortcuts can't just be modifiers on their own. It's super weird. I've been using MacOS for 6+ years and I still press ⌘ by itself about half the time before remembering to include the space. It seems so easy to fix. Sigh.
    – Mike B
    Commented Jun 29 at 20:56

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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MacBook keyboard and Apple Magic keyboard comes with dedicated key to invoke Launchpad. The special functions are labelled on the row of function keys (and equivalent in case of MacBook Pro equipped with Touch Bar). Look for key labelled F4 on your keyboard.

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If you are using a non-Apple keyboard, go to System Preferences → Keyboard → Shortcuts → Launchpad & Dock and select the checkbox next to Show Launchpad. You can also double click on the keyboard shortcut and change it to something else.

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You can also define custom keyboard shortcut(s) easily by going to System Preferences → Keyboard → Shortcuts. Since you are essentially looking for single key to invoke the desired operation(s), you can do so by creating a single key shortcut (if not natively provided by macOS).

Update: Recent generation of Mac desktop and portable keyboards no longer provide pre-programmed key for invoking Launchpad. In such a case, you can define a keyboard shortcut for the same by following the instructions above. If you are running macOS Ventura, the keyboard shortcut can be configured by navigating to System Settings app → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts...

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    indeed the question is NOT about customize a keyboard button combination but use 1 button to launch something
    – alfredopacino
    Commented Apr 14, 2019 at 13:41
  • I see you can add a shortcut there. I have a non Apple keyboard. My idea was to use the Windows key to show Launchpad,
    – alfredopacino
    Commented Apr 14, 2019 at 13:45
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    @alfredopacino The Window key (also called the Meta key) is interpreted as Command key when used on a Mac. It isn't possible to use the Meta key on it's own to invoke a functionality in macOS.
    – Nimesh Neema ♦
    Commented Apr 14, 2019 at 13:47
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    As of November 2022, new mac keyboards no longer feature a launchpad key in the top row of the keyboard
    – Keyslinger
    Commented Nov 14, 2022 at 2:44
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    @Keyslinger I have added an update to the answer. Thank you.
    – Nimesh Neema ♦
    Commented Nov 14, 2022 at 7:32
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Try

  1. Launchpad key: F4
  2. Spotlight: ⌘ + Space
  3. Mission Control key (bonus answer): F3
  4. Search file on finder (bonus answer): ⌥ + ⌘ + Space

* Please note that

  • ⌘ is same as Cmd
  • ⌥ is same as Option or Alt.

See more at:

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On new Mac (with Fn\Globe key) for invoking Launchpad

Press: Fn + Shift + A

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  • This works out of the box, unlike other answers that require configuration.
    – Param Siddharth
    Commented Dec 12 at 7:03

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