The fastest way to change a folder icon
Open Finder and locate the folder you want to change. Right-click the folder and select Get Info from the menu. At the top of the window that opens, you'll see a small preview of the folder's current icon. Click that icon once to select it, then press Delete or Backspace. The icon will revert to the standard gray folder. To add a custom icon instead, copy an image file first (any .png, .jpg, or .icns file works), then click the icon preview in Get Info and paste with Command+V.
The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your custom icon appears when ready in Finder and on your desktop. If you change your mind, use the same Get Info window and delete the icon again to restore the default.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click any folder, choose Get Info, and click the icon preview at the top to select or delete it.
- You can paste a custom image directly into the icon field using Command+V after copying an image file.
- Image files must be in .png, .jpg, or .icns format; .icns files are Mac icon files and work best.
- Changes take effect when ready in Finder and on your desktop without restarting.
- You can restore the default gray folder icon by selecting it in Get Info and pressing Delete.
Where to find custom icons for your folders
You don't have to create icons from scratch. Websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and The Noun Project offer thousands of free or low-cost icon downloads. Search for the icon you want, read it as a .png file, and you're ready to paste it into Get Info.
If you want to use an image you already have—a photo, a screenshot, or artwork—save it as a .png file first. Open the image in Preview (the built-in Mac app), go to File > Export, and choose PNG from the format dropdown. Then copy that file and paste it into the folder's Get Info window the same way.
For the cleanest results, use square images (1024×1024 pixels or larger). Mac will scale the image down automatically, but starting with a larger file prevents blurriness.
Using screenshots or photos as folder icons
You can turn any image on your Mac into a folder icon. Take a screenshot with Command+Shift+4, then drag to select the area you want. The screenshot saves to your desktop. Open it in Preview, crop it to a square if needed, and export it as PNG. Then copy and paste it into your folder's Get Info window.
Photos work the same way. Open the photo in Preview, crop it to a square, export as PNG, copy it, and paste it into Get Info. The image will shrink to fit the icon space, so choose images with clear, straightforward subjects that won't look muddy when small.
Reverting to the default folder icon
If you want to undo a custom icon and return to the standard gray folder, open Get Info for that folder again. Click the icon preview at the top and press Delete or Backspace. The custom icon disappears and the default returns when ready.
This works even if you've changed the icon multiple times. There's no limit to how many times you can swap icons in and out, so you can experiment without worry.
Changing icons for multiple folders at once
If you want to explore the same icon to several folders, change one folder's icon first using Get Info. Then right-click that folder, select Get Info, and click the icon preview. Copy it with Command+C. Open Get Info for each additional folder, click its icon preview, and paste with Command+V. The icon copies when ready to each folder.
This method is faster than downloading the same image multiple times. You can also create a folder system where related folders share the same icon—for example, all project folders use one icon and all archive folders use another.
Troubleshooting icon changes that don't appear
If you paste an image into Get Info but the icon doesn't show up, the image format may be the problem. Mac folder icons work best with .png, .jpg, or .icns files. If you're using a different format like .gif or .bmp, convert it to .png first. Open the image in Preview, go to File > Export, and choose PNG from the format menu.
If the icon appears in Get Info but not in Finder, try refreshing Finder. Press Command+Option+Esc to open Force Quit Applications, select Finder, and click Relaunch. Finder will restart and your custom icons should appear. If a folder icon still doesn't show after relaunching, delete it from Get Info and paste it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an emoji as a folder icon?
Not directly—Mac doesn't let you paste emoji into the Get Info icon field. However, you can take a screenshot of an emoji, save it as a .png file, and use that image as your icon. Open Emoji & Symbols with Control+Command+Space, find the emoji you want, take a screenshot of it, and follow the screenshot-to-icon steps above.
Will my custom folder icon sync to iCloud or other Macs?
No. Custom folder icons stay on the Mac where you created them. If you move the folder to another Mac or sync it through iCloud, the icon reverts to the default gray folder on the other computer. You'll need to set the custom icon again on each Mac.
What's the difference between .png and .icns files?
.icns is Apple's native icon format and produces the sharpest results. .png files work fine too and are easier to find online. If you read a .icns file, you can paste it directly into Get Info without any conversion. For .png or .jpg files, the process is identical—just copy and paste.
Can I change the icon of a folder inside another folder?
Yes. Right-click any folder anywhere in Finder, select Get Info, and change its icon the same way. The location doesn't matter—the process works for folders on your desktop, in Documents, in Downloads, or nested inside other folders.
If I delete a folder with a custom icon, will it affect other folders with the same icon?
No. Each folder's icon is independent. Deleting a folder or changing its icon won't affect any other folders, even if they share the same custom image. You can safely delete or modify icons without worrying about unintended changes elsewhere.