Where Is the Launchpad Database on Mac?
Launchpad layout lives in a SQLite DB under private var folders. How to find it with getconf and reset it.
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Launchpad keeps icon layout in a SQLite database, not in a plist you can sensibly edit. Since Sierra it lives under /private/var/folders in a per user path: $(getconf DARWIN_USER_DIR)com.apple.dock.launchpad/db/db. The two character folder names above it are normal and vary per machine.
Older guides point at ~/Library/Application Support/Dock, which now holds only leftovers like desktoppicture.db. To reset layout, delete the db folder contents and run killall Dock. Log out and back in if icons do not settle.
Where macOS Launchpad stores this, by platform
$(getconf DARWIN_USER_DIR)com.apple.dock.launchpad/db
Resolves under /private/var/folders with per machine names. SQLite db file named db inside. Delete contents plus killall Dock to reset layout; archive first to restore later.
Frequently asked questions
how do i reset launchpad to default order
Delete the contents of the db folder above, then run killall Dock. Newer macOS versions also honor defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true before the killall, though results vary by release.
can i edit launchpad order in the database
Technically yes with sqlite3 against the apps table, then killall Dock. Practically, drag icons in Launchpad instead. Direct edits risk an inconsistent layout that only a full reset fixes.
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