How to Adjust the Icon Grid Count of Launchpad in Mac OS X

replacing the X numbers for the appropriate columns and grid icon counts

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defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-columns -int X;defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-rows -int X;defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool TRUE;killall Dock

For example, to set the Launchpad grid to 8 × 7 you’d use the following syntax:

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defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-columns -int 7;defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-rows -int 8;defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool TRUE;killall Dock

If you want to return to the default setting, just change the column and row counts back to what yours was originally. The default on my MacBook Pro Retina display is a 5 x 7 grid, but yours may be different depending on screen size and screen resolution.

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defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-columns -int 7;defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-rows -int 5;defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool TRUE;killall Dock

The commands for customizing the Launchpad layout can also be split apart if desired like so:

Set the Launchpad Column Icon Count

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defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-columns -int 7

Set the Launchpad Row App Icon Count

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defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-rows -int 8

Reset Launchpad

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defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool TRUE;

Relaunch the Dock with killall

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killall Dock

You can also choose to just set a custom row or just a custom column count, but you must reset and refresh the Launchpad, and finally killall Dock to relaunch the Dock in Mac OS X and have the changes to take effect regardless of how you customize it.