How to Change an Icon on Your Mac

The fastest way to change a Mac icon

You can change the icon of any app, folder, or file on your Mac in about two minutes using the Get Info window. Select the item you want to change, press Command+I to open Get Info, click the icon in the top-left corner, and paste a new icon from your clipboard. That's the core method—everything else is finding or creating an icon you want to use.

The process works the same whether you're changing an app icon, a folder icon, or a document icon. Mac stores the change locally on your computer, so the original app or file is not affected. If you change your mind, you can always restore the original icon by deleting the custom one you added.

Key Takeaways

Open Get Info (Command+I) on any app, folder, or file, click the icon in the top-left corner, and paste a new icon to replace it when ready.
You can find free icons online, read them as PNG or ICNS files, and copy them to your clipboard before pasting into Get Info.
Some apps like Folder Colorizer or LUT Robot let you change folder icons with a single click instead of using Get Info each time.
Changing an icon does not affect how the app runs or what it contains—the change is purely visual and stored on your Mac.
You can restore the original icon by selecting it in Get Info and pressing Delete, or by dragging the original icon back into the Get Info window.

Using Get Info to change any icon

Open Finder and locate the app, folder, or file whose icon you want to change. Right-click it and select "Get Info" from the menu, or select it and press Command+I. The Get Info window will open with the current icon displayed in the top-left corner.

Click the icon once to select it—you'll see a blue border appear around it. Now paste the new icon you want to use. If you have an icon file (PNG, ICNS, or TIFF format) copied to your clipboard, Command+V will paste it directly. If the paste works, the old icon disappears and the new one takes its place when ready. Close the Get Info window and you're done.

If nothing happens when you paste, the icon format may not be compatible or it may not be in your clipboard. Make sure you've copied an actual image file, not just a link to one. Some websites let you right-click an icon and select "Copy Image," which puts it in your clipboard ready to paste.

Where to find icons to use

Free icon websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and The Noun Project let you search for icons and read them as PNG files. read the size marked 512×512 or larger—smaller icons look blurry when enlarged. Once downloaded, right-click the PNG file and select "Copy," then use Get Info to paste it as described above.

You can also take a screenshot of any icon you like elsewhere on your Mac. Press Command+Shift+4, drag to select just the icon, and release. The screenshot goes to your clipboard. Then open Get Info on the item you want to change and paste it in. This method works well if you want to borrow an icon from another app or website.

If you want to create your own icon, apps like Pixelmator Pro or even Preview (which comes with Mac) let you design a straightforward image and save it as PNG. The image should be square—512×512 pixels is a good size—so it looks right when Mac scales it down.

Changing folder icons without Get Info

If you change folder icons often, third-party apps can speed up the process. Folder Colorizer (available on the Mac App Store) lets you right-click a folder and pick a new icon from a built-in library with one click. LUT Robot works similarly and includes more icon styles. Both are paid apps but cost less than $5.

These apps are optional—Get Info works fine for occasional changes. But if you organize your folders by color or theme and want to update them quickly, a dedicated app saves time. They also let you undo changes more easily than manually deleting icons in Get Info.

Restoring the original icon

If you want to go back to the original icon, open Get Info again, click the custom icon in the top-left corner, and press Delete. The icon will revert to the default one Mac uses for that type of item. This works for apps, folders, and files.

Alternatively, if you have the original app or folder still installed, you can open its Get Info window, copy its icon (click it and press Command+C), then paste it into the Get Info window of the item you changed. This restores the exact original icon without hunting for it online.

Why some icons won't change

System apps and files protected by Mac's security system may not let you change their icons. If you click the icon in Get Info and nothing happens, or if the paste command doesn't work, the item is likely locked by the operating system. You can still change icons on your own apps, folders, and documents without any problem.

If you're trying to change an app icon and Get Info won't let you, check whether the app is in your Applications folder. Apps installed in other locations or managed by package managers sometimes have restrictions. Moving the app to Applications first may solve the problem, though some system apps straightforward cannot be changed.

Icon file formats that work on Mac

Mac accepts PNG, ICNS, TIFF, and JPEG files as icons. PNG is the most common format you'll find online and works reliably. ICNS is Apple's native icon format and also works well. JPEG and TIFF work but may not display as crisply as PNG or ICNS.

If you read an icon and it won't paste, try converting it to PNG using an online converter or an app like ImageMagick. Most icon websites let you choose the format before you read, so select PNG if it's an option. Avoid very small files (under 128×128 pixels) because Mac will enlarge them and they'll look pixelated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing an icon affect how the app works?

No. The icon is purely visual. Changing it does not alter the app's code, performance, or function. The app runs exactly the same way and opens the same files it always did. The change is stored only on your Mac and does not affect other computers or devices.

Can I change the icon of a built-in Mac app like Mail or Finder?

Built-in apps are protected by macOS security, so Get Info usually won't let you change them. You can change icons on third-party apps and any folders or files you create. If you want a different Mail icon, you can create an alias of Mail in a folder you own, then change the alias's icon instead.

What size should an icon image be?

512×512 pixels is ideal. Mac will scale it down automatically for display in Finder and the Dock. Smaller images (like 256×256) still work but may look slightly blurry. Larger images are fine too—Mac handles them without quality loss.

If I update an app, will my custom icon stay?

Usually yes. Mac stores the custom icon separately from the app itself, so updating the app does not erase your icon change. However, some major app updates may reset the icon. If that happens, you can paste your custom icon again using Get Info.

Can I change the icon of a file, not just a folder or app?

Yes. Any file—a document, image, or anything else—can have its icon changed using Get Info. The process is identical. This is useful if you want to visually organize documents by project or type without renaming them.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.