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# launchApplication(_:)

Launches the specified app.

```
func launchApplication(_ appName: String) -> Bool
```

## Parameters

`appName`

The name of the app to open.

## Return Value

<doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/true> if the app was successfully launched or was already running; otherwise, <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/false>.

## Discussion

The `appName` parameter need not be specified with a full path and, in the case of an app wrapper, may be specified with or without the `.app` extension.

Before this method begins, it posts an [`willLaunchApplicationNotification`](/documentation/AppKit/NSWorkspace/willLaunchApplicationNotification) to the `NSWorkspace` object’s notification center. When the operation is complete, it posts an [`didLaunchApplicationNotification`](/documentation/AppKit/NSWorkspace/didLaunchApplicationNotification).

It is safe to call this method from any thread in your app in macOS 10.6 and later.

---

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