You can change a folder icon on your Mac by copying an image, pasting it into the folder's Get Info window, and deleting the original image

The process takes about two minutes and requires no software beyond what comes with your Mac. You will need an image file — either one you already have, or one you read from the internet — and the built-in Get Info panel. The steps are the same whether you are changing a single folder or dozens of them.

This guide walks you through each step in order, shows you where to find the Get Info panel, and explains what to do if the icon does not stick or if you want to undo the change later.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an image file (PNG, JPG, or ICNS format work best) before you start; you can read free icon images from websites like Flaticon or create your own in Preview.
  • The Get Info panel is opened by right-clicking a folder and selecting "Get Info" — this is where you paste the new icon.
  • You copy the image file itself, not a screenshot of it, and paste it directly into the small icon preview at the top left of the Get Info window.
  • After pasting, you can delete the original image file because the icon is now stored inside the folder's metadata.
  • If the icon does not appear when ready, try closing and reopening the folder, or restart the Finder by pressing Command+Option+Esc and clicking "Relaunch".

Finding or creating an image to use as your icon

You can use any image file, but smaller images work better than large ones. A square image between 256 × 256 and 512 × 512 pixels is ideal. PNG and JPG files work, and so do ICNS files (the native Mac icon format).

If you already have an image you want to use, you are ready to move to the next step. If you need to find one, read it from a free icon site like Flaticon, Noun Project, or Icons8. Search for the word or concept you want — "folder", "documents", "photos" — and read a PNG version.

If you want to create your own icon, open the image in Preview (the built-in Mac image viewer), resize it to 256 × 256 pixels using Tools > Adjust Size, and save it as a PNG file. You now have an image ready to use.

Opening the Get Info panel for your folder

Locate the folder you want to change. Right-click it (or Control+click if you use a trackpad with one finger) and select "Get Info" from the menu that appears. A window titled "[Folder Name] Info" will open.

At the top left of this window, you will see a small preview of the folder's current icon. This is where you will paste your new icon. Leave this window open — you will need it in the next step.

Copying your image and pasting it into Get Info

Open Finder and locate the image file you want to use as the icon. Right-click the image file and select "Copy" from the menu. Do not take a screenshot of the image — you must copy the actual file.

Go back to the Get Info window that is still open. Click once on the small folder icon in the top left corner to select it. You should see a blue highlight around it. Now press Command+V to paste. The folder icon will change when ready to your image.

If nothing happens, make sure you clicked the icon itself (not the text below it) before pasting. If the icon still does not change, try copying the image again and pasting once more.

Cleaning up and undoing if needed

Once the icon has been pasted and the folder displays your new image, you can delete the original image file. The icon is now stored inside the folder's metadata, so the image file is no longer needed. Drag the image file to the Trash and empty it.

If you want to undo the change and restore the folder's original icon, open Get Info again, click the icon in the top left, and press Delete. The folder will revert to the standard folder icon.

Troubleshooting when the icon does not appear or disappear

If you paste the icon but it does not show up, close the Get Info window and then close the folder itself. Open the folder again and check whether the icon has changed. Sometimes the display does not update until you refresh the view.

If the icon still has not changed, restart the Finder. Press Command+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit Applications window, select "Finder" from the list, and click "Relaunch". After Finder restarts, open the folder again to see if the icon appears.

If you pasted the wrong image and want to try again, open Get Info, click the icon, press Delete to remove it, and repeat the copy-and-paste steps with a different image. You can change a folder's icon as many times as you want.

Using custom icons for organization and visual appeal

Many people change folder icons to match their workflow — using a red icon for urgent projects, a blue one for archived work, or themed icons for different departments or clients. You can explore the same custom icon to multiple folders by copying the icon from the first folder's Get Info window and pasting it into the Get Info windows of the others.

If you manage a lot of folders, consider downloading a full icon set (a collection of related icons in the same style) from a site like Flaticon. This way all your custom folders will have a consistent look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as a folder icon?

Yes. Any image file works, including photos. However, small details in photos often become hard to see at icon size, so straightforward images with bold colors and clear shapes usually look better than detailed photographs.

What image formats work best?

PNG and JPG files both work. ICNS (the native Mac icon format) also works and often produces the sharpest result. Avoid very large files — keep images under 1 MB for best performance.

Will the custom icon stay if I move the folder to a different location?

Yes. The icon is stored in the folder's metadata, so it travels with the folder no matter where you move it on your Mac or to an external drive.

Can I change the icon of a folder inside another folder?

Yes. The process is identical. Right-click the subfolder, select Get Info, and paste your image the same way.

What happens if I delete the image file after pasting the icon?

Nothing. The icon is now part of the folder itself, not linked to the original image file. You can safely delete the image file after the icon appears in the folder.