Definition
The Salesforce setup area where admins control which apps (standard and custom) appear in the App Launcher for users. Admins manage app visibility based on profiles and mark apps as visible or hidden.
Real-World Example
At their company, an architect at Skyline Consulting leverages Lightning Platform App Menu to extend their Salesforce implementation to meet growing business demands. Lightning Platform App Menu provides the additional capability they need without requiring a separate third-party system, keeping everything within the trusted Salesforce ecosystem and reducing integration complexity.
Why Lightning Platform App Menu Matters
The Lightning Platform App Menu is the Salesforce Setup area where admins control which apps (standard and custom) appear in the App Launcher for users. Admins manage app visibility based on profiles, marking apps as visible or hidden for each profile. This determines what users see when they click the App Launcher (the waffle icon in the top-left of Lightning Experience), giving each user persona a curated list of relevant apps.
Managing the App Menu thoughtfully matters for user experience because the App Launcher is one of the primary navigation tools in Lightning Experience. A cluttered App Launcher with apps users don't need creates noise; a curated one focuses users on what matters for their work. Mature orgs configure app visibility per profile so each user sees only the apps relevant to their role. This is part of broader UX hygiene around making Lightning Experience feel tailored rather than generic.
How Organizations Use Lightning Platform App Menu
- •BrightEdge Solutions — Configures App Menu visibility per profile so sales reps see Sales Cloud apps, service agents see Service Cloud apps, and marketers see Marketing Cloud apps.
- •NovaScale — Audits App Menu configuration quarterly to ensure new apps are properly assigned and old apps are hidden from profiles that no longer need them.
- •Vertex Global — Treats App Menu curation as part of their Lightning Experience UX work, keeping the App Launcher focused for each user persona.