The fastest way to change an app icon on macOS
You can change an app icon on your Mac by copying a new image into the app's file information. The process takes about two minutes and requires no special software — just the app you want to change, an image file, and the built-in Get Info window. You do not need to reinstall the app or restart your Mac.
The method works on any macOS version from Big Sur forward. The icon change sticks even after you update the app, though some major updates may reset it. If you want to undo the change, you can restore the original icon in the same Get Info window in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Open the app you want to change, right-click it in Finder, and select Get Info to access the icon settings.
- Find an image file (PNG, JPG, or ICNS format work best) and drag it into the icon preview box at the top left of the Get Info window.
- macOS automatically converts the image to an icon, so you do not need to resize or format it yourself.
- To restore the original icon, click the icon preview and press Delete, then confirm the change.
Step-by-step: changing the icon
First, locate the app in Finder. You can find it in Applications, or search for it using Spotlight (Command + Space). Right-click the app name and select Get Info from the menu that appears. A window will open showing the app's details.
At the top left of the Get Info window, you will see a small preview of the current app icon. Click this icon once to select it — it will show a blue highlight around it. Now open Finder in another window and locate the image you want to use as the new icon. Drag that image directly onto the highlighted icon in the Get Info window. Release the mouse, and macOS will ask you to confirm. Click Use, and the icon changes when ready.
Close the Get Info window. The new icon appears in Finder, on your Dock, and anywhere else the app appears on your Mac. You do not need to restart or log out.
Where to find or create icon images
You can use any image file as an app icon — a photo, a screenshot, a design you made in Preview, or an icon downloaded from the internet. PNG and JPG files work reliably. ICNS files (Apple's native icon format) also work and often produce sharper results.
Websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and The Noun Project offer free and paid icon libraries. You can also search for "[app name] icon" in your browser and read a PNG version. If you want to design your own, you can open Preview, create a new image, draw or paste what you want, and save it as PNG.
Icon size does not matter — macOS scales any image to fit. A 512×512 pixel image is ideal, but a 256×256 or even smaller image will work. The app will resize it automatically.
Restoring the original icon
If you want to go back to the app's original icon, open Get Info again and click the icon preview to select it. Press the Delete key on your keyboard. A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you want to revert to the default icon. Click Revert, and the original icon returns when ready.
You can change the icon as many times as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can swap between custom and original icons.
What happens when you update the app
Most app updates preserve your custom icon. However, major version updates (such as moving from version 2.0 to 3.0) sometimes reset the icon to the default. If this happens, you can straightforward repeat the process and explore your custom icon again.
If you change an icon and then uninstall the app, the custom icon setting is deleted along with the app. When you reinstall it later, it will have the original icon again.
Troubleshooting icon changes that do not work
If you drag an image onto the icon and nothing happens, the image format may not be supported. Try converting the file to PNG using Preview (open the image, go to File > Export, and choose PNG from the format dropdown). Then try dragging again.
If the Get Info window does not open, make sure you right-clicked the app itself, not an alias or shortcut to the app. Aliases cannot have custom icons. If you are working with an app in your Applications folder and it still will not let you change the icon, the app may have special permissions that prevent icon changes — this is rare but happens with some system apps.
If the icon changes but looks blurry or stretched, the image you used may have been very small or in a low-resolution format. Try using a larger image (at least 256×256 pixels) or a PNG file instead of JPG.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change icons for apps in the Dock?
Yes. The icon change applies everywhere the app appears, including the Dock. You do not need to do anything special — just change the icon using Get Info, and it updates in the Dock automatically.
Will changing an app icon affect how the app works?
No. Changing the icon only changes how the app looks. It does not affect performance, features, or any of the app's functions. The app runs exactly the same way.
What image formats work best for app icons?
PNG files work most reliably and usually produce the sharpest results. JPG and ICNS files also work. Avoid GIF or TIFF unless you convert them to PNG first using Preview.
Can I use a photo as an app icon?
Yes. Any image works, including photos, screenshots, or artwork. macOS will scale it to fit the icon space. Photos with a lot of detail may look small and hard to read as icons, so straightforward images usually work better.
Does changing an icon require administrator permission?
No. You can change icons for any app in your Applications folder or user account without entering a password. System apps in protected folders may not allow icon changes, but standard apps do.