How do I add an application to the launchpad set of icons?

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi all,

Newbie question,



I just downloaded Skype off https://www.skype.com
I've worked out in finder how to add the app to applications list in finder.


However - How to I get an icon for Skype onto the launchpad screen?

I'd like a bit icon I can easily get to and click on.




Hope you can advise

Regards
Martin

 

[chown33]

Found this:

Use Launchpad to view and open apps on Mac

On your Mac, Launchpad (available in the Dock) is the place to view all of your apps and quickly open them.

support.apple.com

It was the 2nd result with DuckDuckGo search terms: add app to mac launchpad

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi C,

Thanks for that, I'll give it a go

Thanks also for the tip on how to phrase the search engine wording. I really have to work on how I phrase my google searches etc. I shoved in "how do I set macbook download like a normal app icon" - and... got no where


Best wishes
Martin

 

[Marty_Macfly]

OK:
1. App now in APPLICATIONS (I had to do it again, for the icon to come up)
2. App now in Launchpad (I've now added to a folder along with WhatsApp etc.)


Can I delete the redundant files now?

1) The install file in DOWNLOADs folder?
2) The file on the Desktop? (Does this happen every time one installs a "non App Store" app?

I.e. I was just clicking stuff and trying to get it to work and guessing I've got debris I should get rid off now.



Hope you can advise.
Kind regards
Martin

 

[chown33]

There are several problems with the search you used.

The first is that "macbook download" is vague. It could mean literally any download, from a cat picture JPEG to a PDF book on how to make cat pictures.

The word "like" also has multiple meanings: it could mean a positive view of something ("I like this cat picture") or it could mean "similar to".

Search engines are typically very poor when parsing sentences with ambiguous or vague terms. Words that aren't directly related to the search result can also make things worse, by adding "noise".

In my search terms I left out all the noise words, and included the important qualifiers "app" and "macos". The other important terms are the action desired ("add") and the target of the action ("launchpad").

 

[Marty_Macfly]

There are several problems with the search you used.

The first is that "macbook download" is vague. It could mean literally any download, from a cat picture JPEG to a PDF book on how to make cat pictures.

The word "like" also has multiple meanings: it could mean a positive view of something ("I like this cat picture") or it could mean "similar to".

Search engines are typically very poor when parsing sentences with ambiguous or vague terms. Words that aren't directly related to the search result can also make things worse, by adding "noise".

In my search terms I left out all the noise words, and included the important qualifiers "app" and "macos". The other important terms are the action desired ("add") and the target of the action ("launchpad").

Hi C,


aaahhh right, that's the way to do google searches!

It also doesn't help that I'm a newbie. Not knowing what the Mac key phrases are, and like you say, padding out with noise.

Cool - something to work on.

 

[kevcube]

OK:
1. App now in APPLICATIONS (I had to do it again, for the icon to come up)
2. App now in Launchpad (I've now added to a folder along with WhatsApp etc.)


Can I delete the redundant files now?

1) The install file in DOWNLOADs folder?
2) The file on the Desktop? (Does this happen every time one installs a "non App Store" app?

I.e. I was just clicking stuff and trying to get it to work and guessing I've got debris I should get rid off now.



Hope you can advise.
Kind regards
Martin

Martin,

The only place that the Application (.app file) needs to be is in `/Applications`
You can open the app and try deleting the copies on your desktop and in Downloads. Those should successfully delete because they are not in use.

Then try deleting the one in /Applications while the app is open. It will fail because the app is running out of there.