How to change icon on MacBook

Customizing icons on your MacBook can give your files, folders, and applications a personalized touch. This article provides guidance on how to change icons on your MacBook to match your preferences or organizational style.

What is the purpose of changing an app icon on Mac?

When it comes to changing an app icon on a Mac, the possibilities are endless. Not only does a changed icon look more aesthetically pleasing, but it also gives users the chance to customize their user experience with any type of them. Additionally, having an updated icon helps to tie all the other apps that boast an iOS-style look together for a better-unified feel.

Apart from preference and improved aesthetics, some people may choose to change an app’s icon due to sheer dislike of how it currently presents itself on Finder, Dock, Launchpad, and anywhere else where the app can be launched from. Changing this icon is really easy and offers great benefits in unifying your entire Mac system’s appearance. While changing an app’s icon may seem trivial at first glance, it doesn’t take long for you to notice its effect on how enjoyable your user experience is.

Change icon on MacBook

Changing icons on your MacBook is a fun and creative way to personalize your files, folders, and applications. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change icons on your MacBook:

Method 1: Using Built-in Icons:

1. Select the Item: Right-click on the file, folder, or application whose icon you want to change.
2. Choose “Get Info”: From the context menu, select “Get Info.” Alternatively, you can select the item and press “Command + I” ( ⌘ + I ) on your keyboard.
3. Copy the New Icon: Find a new icon that you want to use. It could be an image, a downloaded icon file, or a macOS system icon. Select the icon and copy it (press “Command + C”) ( ⌘ + C ).
4. Paste the Icon: In the “Get Info” window, click on the current icon in the top-left corner. It will be highlighted. Then, paste the new icon (press “Command + V”) ( ⌘ + V ). The icon will be replaced with the copied image.
5. Close the “Get Info” Window: Close the “Get Info” window, and the icon change will be applied.

Method 2: Using Custom Icons:

1. Prepare the Custom Icon: Find or create a custom icon image that you want to use. The image should ideally be in .png format and square-shaped.
2. Convert the Image: You might need to convert your image to .icns format, which is the standard format for icons on macOS. You can use online converters or specialized software for this purpose.
3. Select the Item: Right-click on the file, folder, or application whose icon you want to change.
4. Choose “Get Info”: Select “Get Info” from the context menu or press “Command + I” ( ⌘ + I )
5. Drag the Icon: Open the .icns image in Preview or another image viewer. Select and copy the image (press “Command + C”) ( ⌘ + C ). Now, return to the “Get Info” window, click on the current icon, and paste the new icon (press “Command + V”) ( ⌘ + V ).
6. Close the “Get Info” Window: Close the “Get Info” window to save the changes.

Additional Tips:

• To restore the original icon, select the item and press “Command + X” ( ⌘ + X ) to remove the custom icon, and the original icon will be restored.
• Not all icons can be changed, especially system icons. You can change most application icons, folder icons, and files’ icons.

Remember that while changing icons can be a fun way to personalize your MacBook, it’s important to be cautious and only use images that you have the rights to or that are meant for customization purposes.

Discover the secret to restoring an item’s original icon!

Reverting an item back to its original icon on a MacBook is a simple process that involves removing the custom icon you’ve applied. Here’s how you can do it:

Open “Get Info”: Right-click on the item (file, folder, or application) that you’ve customized the icon for. From the context menu, select “Get Info.” Alternatively, you can select the item and press “Command + I” ( ⌘ + I ) on your keyboard.

Remove Custom Icon: In the “Get Info” window, you’ll see the current custom icon displayed in the top-left corner. Click on the icon to select it. Then, press the “Delete” key on your keyboard or right-click and choose “Cut” from the context menu. This action will remove the custom icon image from the item.

Close “Get Info”: After removing the custom icon, simply close the “Get Info” window by clicking the “X” button in the top-left corner or pressing the “Command + W” ( ⌘ + W ) shortcut.

Once you’ve completed these steps, the item will revert to its original default icon. It’s important to note that this process only applies to items for which you’ve manually changed the icon. System icons and default icons provided by macOS will remain unchanged. Reverting an item’s icon back to its original state is a useful way to maintain consistency or if you decide that the customization doesn’t suit your preferences anymore.