A few good questions.

What is Sofla?

Sofla is a native Mac application launcher with a full-screen app grid, folders, immediate search, Favorites, and Recents. It focuses on installed applications and gives you a familiar visual way to open them.

Is Sofla free?

Sofla is free and open source under the MIT license. It does not require a subscription or an account. Explore the source on GitHub. See download availability and installation.

Can I download Sofla now?

See download availability and first-launch steps. You can use the interactive browser demo now without installing anything.

Do not treat the preview as an installer. It is a demonstration of the launcher’s search, app selection, folders, Favorites, and simulated launch feedback.

Which Macs can run Sofla?

The native app targets macOS 26 or later on Apple silicon. The current build does not support Intel Macs or macOS Sequoia 15 and earlier.

The website demo runs in a browser and is separate from those native compatibility requirements.

Is Sofla the same as Apple’s Launchpad?

No. Sofla is a separate app with a familiar full-screen grid. It does not modify Apple’s launcher or automatically import an old Launchpad layout.

Read the Launchpad alternative overview for the experience it preserves and the organization features it adds.

Can I use Sofla with Spotlight, Raycast, or Alfred?

Yes, you can keep other launchers and give Sofla a different opening shortcut. The native default is Option–Space, and it can be changed in Settings.

The comparison pages describe the differences in scope and workflow. Sofla is not a general file-search engine or an automation platform.

How do the arrow keys work while searching?

All four plain arrow keys select apps. Return opens the selected result. Input focus remains ready for continued typing. The website preview also preserves modified text-selection shortcuts and input-method composition.

See the keyboard guide for a short practice using Calculator and Calendar.

Does the demo open apps or read my Mac?

No. It uses sample app names and icons. A simulated launch shows which app would open and adds it to the demo’s temporary Recents collection.

It does not inspect your installed apps, change your wallpaper, install anything, or edit the organization of your Mac.

Does Sofla collect analytics?

Sofla does not collect analytics. The website has no analytics scripts or account system. Its theme preference is saved locally in your browser, while demo history stays in memory until reset or reload.

The native app’s recent-app history is local and configurable. Read the privacy page for the distinction between app history, website behavior, and hosting.

Can I organize real apps in the website demo?

No. The native app supports arranging apps, folders, aliases, hidden apps, and layout settings. The website focuses on browsing and launching a sample collection. Its Favorites set is curated, and its Reset control restores the demo state.

What happens during setup?

Drag Sofla to Applications, open it, and choose a shortcut. Open at Login is optional. If you enable it and macOS needs approval, setup links to Login Items and checks again when you return. You can explicitly continue without startup enabled.

Basic launching needs no Accessibility, Screen Recording, or Full Disk Access permission.

Why does macOS ask me to approve Sofla?

The current build is not notarized by Apple. After trying to open it, use System Settings > Privacy & Security > Open Anyway if you trust the download. See the installation guide. Managed Macs may prevent this approval.

Does Sofla update automatically?

Sofla supports signed updates through Sparkle. Use Sofla > Check for Updates to check manually, or enable automatic checks and installation in Settings > Updates. Automatic installation is optional.

If you installed an earlier build without the updater, download and install the current build once to receive future updates this way.