How to Change Folder Icons on a Mac
Different folder icons and colors can help differentiate the contents of folders and keep you organized while also adding your personal style and aesthetic to your computer. You can use the below steps to change folder icons on your mac according to the different classifications of a folder like photos, school/work-related items, notes, movies, documents, etc.
Compatible file formats:
.PNG
.JPG
.ICO
(Keep in mind that a PNG might be a better fit for the folder icon since there is a transparent background, but depending on the type of folder icon you are looking for, .jpg or .ico file types will work too!)
There are 4 methods to change folder icons:
Drag and Drop an Image from a Browser
Find an image you want to use keeping in mind the folder you want to change the folder icon for
Select the folder you want to change the folder icon for
Do Command + I or Right-click and select Get Info to show the Get Info window for a selected folder
Drag the image from the browser to the small folder icon in the upper left corner
Copy and Paste an Image from a Browser
Search for an image or icon that you like in any browser
Copy image
Select the folder you want to change the folder icon for
Do Command + I or Right-click and click Get Info to show the Get Info window for a selected folder.
Select the small folder icon in the upper left corner
Do command + V or Choose Edit then Paste in the menu bar
Use an Existing File Saved in Finder
Locate the photo you want to use in Finder
Double-click the picture or icon to open it up in the Preview app
Select all by doing Command + A or Choose Edit then Select All in Preview's menu bar
(You know the image is selected when you see the box with moving lines and blue dots)
Use the keyboard shortcut Command + C or Choose Edit then Copy in Preview's menu bar to copy the image
Select the folder you want to change the folder icon for
Do Command + I or Right-click then click Get Info to Show the Get Info window for a selected folder
Select the small folder icon in the upper left corner
Do command + V or Choose Edit then Paste in the menu bar
Edit the Existing Default Folder Using the Preview App
Select the folder you want to change the folder icon for. Do Command + I or Right-click then click Get Info to Show the Get Info window for a selected folder
Select the small folder icon in the upper left corner
Do Command + C or click on Edit in the desktop's menu bar and select "Copy"
Open the Preview app on your Mac
Click on File in the Preview menu bar and select "New from Clipboard." This imports the latest thing that you have copied, which in this case is that blue folder icon
Select the Markup tool. You can do things like add text, shapes, or adjust the color
To customize the color, click on the Adjust Color icon which looks like a triangle with a curving line going through it
The "Adjust Color" popup box will show up. Adjust the sliders until you reach a color that you like
Click the X in the upper left corner when done
Select all by doing Command + A or Choose Edit then click Select All in Preview's menu bar
(You know the image is selected when you see the box with moving lines and blue dots)
Use the keyboard shortcut Command + C or Choose Edit then Copy in Preview's menu bar to copy the image
Select the folder you want to change the folder icon for
Do Command + I or Right-click then click Get Info to Show the Get Info window for a selected folder
Select the small folder icon in the upper left corner
Do command + V or Choose Edit then Paste in the menu bar
In case you do not like the photo you change the folder icon to or you want to use the default folder icon, you can restore the original icon with 4 steps:
Select the folder
Do Command + I or Right-click -> Get Info to Show the Get Info window for a selected folder.
Select the custom icon in the upper left corner
Press the delete key on your keyboard OR choose Edit then Cut
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