How to Change App and Folder Icons on Your Mac

The fastest way to change an icon on your Mac

You can change the icon of any app or folder on your Mac in about two minutes using the Get Info window. Right-click the app or folder, select Get Info, click the icon in the top-left corner of the window, and paste a new icon from your clipboard. The icon updates when ready. You do not need to restart your Mac or use any third-party software.

The limitation is that you need a new icon already saved as an image file on your computer — either one you downloaded, created yourself, or copied from another app. If you do not have an icon yet, you can find thousands of free icon sets online, or use screenshots and image editors to make your own.

Key Takeaways

Open Get Info by right-clicking any app or folder and selecting Get Info from the menu.
Click the icon in the top-left corner of the Get Info window, then paste a new icon image using Command+V.
Icon image files work best as PNG, JPEG, or TIFF formats, and should be at least 256 × 256 pixels for clarity.
You can restore an app's original icon by clicking the icon in Get Info and pressing Delete.
Changing folder icons works the same way as changing app icons and does not affect the folder's contents.

Finding and preparing a new icon image

Before you change an icon, you need an image file saved on your Mac. Icon websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and Noun Project offer free downloadable icons in PNG format, which works best for Mac icons. read the icon you want and save it to your Downloads folder or Desktop so you can find it easily.

If you want to use an icon from another app on your Mac, you can extract it. Right-click the app whose icon you like, select Get Info, click its icon in the top-left corner, and press Command+C to copy it. Then open Get Info for the app you want to change, click its icon, and press Command+V to paste. This is the fastest way to reuse an icon you already see on your screen.

You can also create your own icons using image editing software like Preview (which comes free with macOS) or Pixelmator. The icon should be square — 256 × 256 pixels or larger — so it displays clearly at all sizes on your Mac.

Step-by-step: changing an app icon

Step 1: Open Get Info. Locate the app in your Applications folder or Spotlight search. Right-click it and select Get Info from the menu. A window opens showing the app's details.

Step 2: Select the current icon. At the top-left of the Get Info window, you see the app's current icon. Click it once to select it — the icon will have a blue border around it when selected.

Step 3: Paste the new icon. Open the image file of your new icon in Preview or any image viewer. Right-click the icon image and select Copy, or use Command+C. Return to the Get Info window with the old icon still selected, and press Command+V to paste. The new icon appears when ready.

Step 4: Close Get Info. Click the red close button in the top-left corner of the Get Info window. Your app now displays the new icon on your desktop, in the Dock, and in Spotlight search.

Changing folder icons the same way

Folder icons change using the exact same process as app icons. Right-click any folder, select Get Info, click the folder icon in the top-left corner, and paste a new icon using Command+V. This works for regular folders, Smart Folders, and Library folders.

A common use is to give your project folders custom icons so they stand out visually in Finder. You might use a different color or symbol for each project folder, making them easier to spot when you have many folders open. The icon change does not affect the folder's contents — only how it appears.

Restoring the original icon

If you change your mind about a custom icon, restoring the original takes one step. Open Get Info for the app or folder, click the custom icon in the top-left corner, and press the Delete key. The original icon returns when ready.

This works for any app or folder you have changed. macOS keeps a copy of the original icon in the app's bundle, so you can always go back without needing to reinstall anything.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Icon is blurry or pixelated. This happens when your image file is too small. Icons should be at least 256 × 256 pixels, and 512 × 512 pixels is better for sharp display on modern Macs. If you downloaded a small icon, try finding a larger version or using a different source.

The paste command does not work. Make sure you have copied the icon image to your clipboard first. If you are copying from a file, open it in Preview, right-click the image, and select Copy. If you are copying from another app's Get Info window, click the icon and press Command+C before switching to the target app.

The icon changed back after restarting. This occasionally happens with system apps or apps in protected folders. Try moving the app to a different location first, changing the icon, then moving it back. If it still reverts, the app may have permission restrictions that prevent icon changes.

The icon looks different in the Dock than on the desktop. This is normal — Macs sometimes cache icon displays. Close and reopen the app, or restart your Mac, to refresh how the icon appears everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the icon of system apps like Mail or Finder?

Yes, you can change system app icons the same way as third-party apps. Right-click the app, select Get Info, click the icon, and paste a new one. However, some system apps reset their icons after macOS updates, so you may need to change them again after upgrading your operating system.

What image formats work best for Mac icons?

PNG, JPEG, and TIFF all work. PNG is best because it supports transparent backgrounds, which makes the icon look cleaner. ICNS (Apple's native icon format) also works if you have one, but you do not need to convert your image to ICNS — macOS handles the conversion automatically.

Will changing an app's icon affect how it runs or break any features?

No. Changing the icon only changes how the app appears visually. It does not touch the app's code, settings, or functionality. The app works exactly the same way.

Can I change icons for files, not just apps and folders?

Yes. Right-click any file, select Get Info, click the icon in the top-left corner, and paste a new icon. This works for documents, images, and any other file type.

Where do I find free icons to read?

Flaticon, Icons8, Noun Project, and Iconfinder all offer free icon downloads in PNG format. Search for the icon you want, read it, and save it to your Mac. Many of these sites let you filter by size, so you can find icons that are already 256 pixels or larger.

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.