How to Find the Applications Folder on Mac: 6 Quick Ways

Written by

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewed by

Ojash

Last updated: November 27, 2023

Expert verified

All your software and downloaded apps are in your Applications folder and chances are you’ll access it daily. I open the Applications folder like ten times a day. The Applications folder is often easily accessible but if you can’t access it, I’ll show you six different ways to find the Applications folder on Mac.

How to Find the Applications Folder on Mac

There are multiple ways to find the Applications folder on your Mac, and below, I’ll share each method with a step-by-step guide.

Method 1: From Finder

The Finder window is my go-to method for accessing the Applications folder on Mac. With Finder, you can easily navigate through the Applications folder and all of its contents.

Here’s how to find the Applications folder on Mac using Finder:

1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock or right-click the desktop to bring up the Finder menu bar.

2. In the left sidebar, click Applications. This will display all the applications installed on your Mac.

3. To open an application, simply double-click its icon.

Method 2: From Launchpad

Launchpad is your Mac’s built-in app launcher that displays all your installed apps in a grid-like interface. This doesn’t open the Applications folder, instead displays all your apps in an iPad-like manner. You can see all your Applications and launch any of them by clicking its icon.

Here’s how to find your Applications on Mac via Launchpad:

1. Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock.

2. It will display all Applications on your desktop.

3. Look for the application you want to open and click its icon to launch it.

Method 3: From Spotlight

Spotlight is a powerful search feature built into macOS, and it can help you find the Applications folder on your Mac. You can also use Spotlight to access specific apps instead of going to the Applications folder.

Here’s how to find the Applications folder on Mac using Spotlight:

1. Click the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of the screen to open the Spotlight window.

2. In the Spotlight window, type Applications.

3. Click the Show More button next to the search results for Applications to launch the Applications folder.

Method 4: From the Go Menu

Another method that I frequently use is the Go menu. It’s a quick way to access all your apps and launch them in a few clicks via the Applications folder.

Here’s how to use the Go menu to find the Applications folder on Mac:

1. Click Go in the menu bar.

2. Select Applications from the drop-down menu.

3. The Applications folder will now open in a new Finder window. You can double-click any app you want to launch.

Method 5: From Siri Search

If you have Siri on your Mac, you can also use it to open the Applications folder quickly. With a simple voice command, Siri can find and open any app on your Mac without navigating through folders or menus.

To use Siri search to locate the Applications folder on your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Open Siri by clicking the only colored icon in the menu bar. You can also access Siri through Spotlight search.

2. Now, say Open the Applications Folder, and Siri will automatically open it.

Method 6: From the Dock

All methods explained above are quick and easy, but the most hassle-free way to open the Applications folder is through Dock. By default, the Applications folder isn’t there, so you’ll need to add it yourself. Customizing the Dock to include a shortcut to the Applications folder is simple and saves time.

Follow these steps to add the Applications folder to your Dock and access apps:

1. Find the Applications folder via Finder.

2. Drag the Applications folder to your Dock next to the Bin icon.

3. Click the Applications icon in the Dock, and it will display your applications.

4. You can also right-click the Applications icon and select Open “Applications” and it will open the Applications folder in Finder.

Keyboard Shortcuts to Find the Applications Folder on Mac

Keyboard shortcuts are a lifesaver for Mac power users. If you frequently access the Applications folder on your Mac, try the following Mac keyboard shortcuts to save time:

• To access the Applications folder quickly in an active Finder window, use the keyboard shortcut: Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + A.

• To activate Siri, hold down the Control ^ + Space keys. Then, say Open the Applications Folder.

• To open Spotlight, press the Command ⌘ + Space keys. Then, type Applications.

• To open Launchpad using trackpad, pinch your thumb and three fingers together. You can also use the F4 shortcut or search for Launchpad in Spotlight.

• While in Launchpad, press and hold the Option ⌥ key to enable the option to delete apps.

How to Use the Applications Folder on Mac

The Applications folder is key for Mac users, holding all apps like Safari, Mail, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Cloud. But it might be confusing at first for new Mac users.

Here are a few things you can do in the Applications Folder on your Mac:

• To delete an app, simply right-click it and select Move to Bin.

• To view an app’s details, right-click it, select Get Info, or use the shortcut Command ⌘ + I.

• You can also view the files and folders within any app by right-clicking it and selecting Show Package Contents.

• Most apps are in the Applications folder, but you can find utilities and smaller apps in the Utilities folder. Some native apps, like Terminal and Disk Utility, are also in the Utilities folder.

Why Is There No Applications Folder on Your Mac?

Recently, I couldn’t find the Applications folder in Finder’s sidebar, where I usually access it. Turns out, I had accidentally hidden it. Here’s how to restore the Applications folder in the Finder sidebar:

1. Open the Finder.
2. In the menu bar, choose Finder > Settings or use the keyboard shortcut Command ⌘ + ,.

3. Select Sidebar in the Finder Settings and check the box next to Applications.

If you previously had the Applications folder in your Dock, but it is now missing, simply drag it back. To check that the Applications folder is not hidden:

1. Open Finder, click the Go menu, and select Go to Folder.

2. Type the following path and press Enter:

/Applications

If the folder is hidden, it should become visible. But if it doesn’t, you may need to contact Apple Support.

Access Your Applications on Mac

Now that you know how to find the Applications folder on Mac and troubleshoot common issues when opening the folder, you can improve your productivity further with these tips:

• If your Mac is acting up, a corrupted app may be the cause. Fix that by uninstalling corrupt apps on your Mac.
• Update your apps on Mac to avoid security and performance issues.
• Close apps on Mac if you’re not using them to save system resources.

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