With the rapid growth of technology, we rely more and more on using different software applications for our daily routines. But often times, the default icons are not very attractive, and people prefer to customize their icons to reflect their own personalities or have a specific aesthetic preference. Changing icons on a Mac computer is a relatively easy task that anyone can do, with a few things to keep in mind.
In this article, we will show you how to change the icon of an app on Mac in different ways, along with additional tips and FAQs to cover all of your questions on the topic.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Changing App Icons on Mac
The default app icons that come with a Mac computer might not be visually appealing to everyone. A personalized icon can be more visually pleasing, and in some cases, it might be useful to differentiate visually between several icons on a screen.
Changing the app icon on a Mac can be challenging because it is usually considered a system file, and the system tends to restrict access to system files for efficient performance and security reasons.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before starting the process of changing icons, there are a few things you should prepare for:
– A replacement icon image in the correct file format
– Access to the app’s icon file
– Basic knowledge of coding language and Terminal commands
Method 1: Changing App Icons via Get Info Feature
This is the simplest method to change an app icon on a Mac.
Steps:
1. Go to the Application folder in Finder and select the app you want to change the icon for.
2. Right-click on the app, then choose the “Get Info” option.
3. A pop-up window will appear. Select the existing icon in the top left corner of the window by clicking on it.
4. Press the “Delete” key on your keyboard.
5. Navigate to the location of the icon file you want to use as a replacement and drag it in the spot where the previous icon was.
6. The icon will be replaced with the new image.
7. Close the “Get Info” window and the process is complete.
Pros:
– Simple and quick.
– No advanced technical skills required.
Cons:
– The old icon can still appear in other places, defeating the purpose of changing it.
– As certain apps generate their icons automatically, the icon might change back to the default icon if the app is updated.
Method 2: Changing App Icons via Copy-Paste Method
This method is effective for apps that have system restrictions on their icons’ source files.
Steps:
1. Go to the Application folder in Finder and select the app you want to change the icon for.
2. Right-click on the app, then choose the “Duplicate” option.
3. Rename the duplicate app to “YourAppName_newicon.icns”. Make sure to replace YourAppName with the actual name of the app.
4. Right-click on the duplicate app and select the “Show Package Contents” option.
5. Navigate to the “Contents” folder and open the “Resources” folder.
6. Drag and drop the replacement icon file into the “Resources” folder.
7. Replace the existing application icon file with the new icon file, making sure to name it the same as the old file name.
8. Close all windows and go to the Applications folder. You should now see the new app icon.
Pros:
– Works even for apps with system restrictions.
– Creates a new file that can be restored to the original state if needed.
Cons:
– The method requires multiple steps and more technical knowledge, including using the Terminal.
– Could potentially lead to issues in the future if the original files were not handled properly.
Method 3: Changing App Icons via Terminal Commands
This method will change the icon at the system level, meaning the new icon will apply to all instances of the app across your system.
Steps:
1. Prepare the replacement icon file in the ICNS format.
2. Open Terminal.
3. Type in the following command:
"`
sudo cp /path/to/replacement_icon.icns /Applications/APPNAME.app/Contents/Resources/
"`
Replace ‘replacement_icon.icns’ with the name of your replacement file and ‘APPNAME’ with the name of the application that you want to change the icon for. You can also drag and drop the replacement file into Terminal after typing in the command instead of typing in the file path.
4. Press “Enter” and when prompted, enter the admin password.
5. Restart the app that you changed the icon for to see the new icon.
Pros:
– System-wide icon change, ensuring consistency across apps.
– No restrictions on which apps you can change icons for.
Cons:
– Advanced technical knowledge is required to avoid errors or system instability.
– Changes made through the Terminal are more difficult to revert in comparison to using system and folder options.
Why Can’t I Change App Icons on Mac?
There could be several reasons why you are having trouble changing the app icons on a Mac. Here are a few potential causes and possible fixes:
1. Permission Issues
Sometimes the permission settings on the app icon file prevent you from modifying or replacing it. You can try to change the file permissions to allow modification.
2. Outdated App Versions
Outdated app versions might have different filename structures and paths. Check for the latest updates and their documentation before attempting to change an icon.
3. Lack of Technical Skills
Changing the app icon on a Mac requires some basic coding language knowledge and terminal commands. Learning these basic skills can help you troubleshoot issues in the future.
Additional Tips
– To restore the original app icon, delete the duplicate app or remove the new icon file from the Resources or Contents folder.
– If your icon is changing back to the default icon after updating the app, it means that the app generates its own icon automatically, and you need to modify the generated icon instead of the file.
– Review the app’s documentation to see if there are any best practices regarding changing icons.
5 FAQs About Changing App Icons on Mac
Q: Why do I need to change the app icon?
A: Customizing the app icon can help you differentiate between multiple apps or give your Mac a personalized look and feel.
Q: How can I make the new icon appear everywhere?
A: To make changes appear system-wide, use Terminal commands to replace the existing files that define the icon.
Q: What is the best format for a replacement icon file?
A: ICNS is the best format for a replacement icon file because it is the standard format for Mac icons.
Q: Will changing the icon affect the app’s performance?
A: No, changing the icon will not affect the app’s performance.
Q: Can I change the icon of a built-in app on my Mac?
A: Yes, you can change the icon of a built-in app on your Mac, but it requires adjusting system files that could cause problems if not handled properly.
In Conclusion
Changing app icons on Mac is a simple way to make your computer experience more visually appealing and personalized. In this article, we covered three methods to make the process straightforward, customizable, and system-wide. Remember to prepare the replacement icon file, get access to the app’s icon file, and, depending on the method you choose, use basic coding language knowledge and Terminal commands to ensure that the changes are applied. If you encounter issues, review the additional tips, FAQs, and possible solutions provided in this article to make sure that you achieve the desired result.