How to Change MacBook Folder Icons & Colors

Changing the icons and colors of folders on your MacBook enables you to personalize the overall look of your Mac and enhance its visual appeal. This customization allows you to effortlessly recognize and locate particular folders on your desktop or in Finder.

While macOS doesn’t offer a native feature to change folder icons or colors, several alternative approaches and third-party tools can help you achieve this desired customization. In this guide, you will learn a step-by-step guide on utilizing the Preview app, which comes pre-installed on your Mac, to color-code your folders with a wide range of hues from the rainbow.

Additionally, you will learn how to replace the default folder icons with your preferred images. If you find this method to be too complex or time-consuming, an alternative option is to explore premium applications available for download from the App Store, which offer a more streamlined and efficient approach to accomplish the same task.

How to Change MackBook Folder, File, and App Icons

Customizing or changing the icons of folders, files, and apps on your MacBook is a great way to personalize your system and give it a unique appearance. Follow these step-by-step instructions to change folder, file, and app icons on your MacBook:

1. Locate or create the icons you want to use as replacements. You can download icons from websites or design your own using graphic editing tools. Ensure that the icons are in a compatible format, such as .icns or .png.
2. Right-click on the folder, file, or app whose icon you wish to change. From the context menu, choose “Get Info.” Alternatively, you can select the item and press ‘Command + I’ on your keyboard.
3. Open the image file of the new icon in Preview or any image editing software that allows you to copy the image to the clipboard.
4. In the “Get Info” window of the selected item, you’ll find a small icon preview at the top-left corner. Click on the preview to highlight it, then go to the menu bar, select “Edit,” and choose “Paste.” Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut ‘Command + V’ to paste the new icon.
5. Close the “Get Info” window, and you’ll see that the folder, file, or app icon has been updated with the new one. Repeat the process for any other items you want to change.

How to Change Icon Color for MacBook Folder

If you want to change the color of icons for folders on your MacBook, there are several methods you can use. Follow these steps to change the icon color for a folder on your MacBook:

1. Right-click or control-click on the folder you want to customize.
2. From the context menu, select “Get Info.”
3. In the folder info window, locate and click on the folder icon in the upper left corner to highlight it.
4. Go to the menu bar at the top left of the screen and click on “Edit.” From the drop-down menu, select “Copy.”
5. Open the Preview app by locating it and launching it.
6. With Preview open, click on “File” in the menu bar, and then select “New from Clipboard.”
7. In Preview, select the Markup tool (it resembles the tip of a pencil).
8. Within the Markup tools, choose the “Adjust Color” icon (it looks like a prism with light shining through).
9. Use the Tint slider to adjust the color of the folder icon according to your preference.
10. Click inside the folder icon area in the Folder Info box and press “Command+V” to paste the modified icon.
11. You can now close the Folder Info box; the folder will display the new color.

How to Change MackBook Folder Background Color

To change the background color of a folder in Finder on your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Open the folder you want to customize.
2. In the menu bar, click on “View” and ensure that “As Icons” is selected.
3. Navigate to the “View” menu once more and select the “Show View Options” option.
4. In the “Background” section, you’ll see options for selecting either “Color” or “Picture.”
5. To choose a color, click on the color selection square and pick the desired color from the color picker. Alternatively, to use an image as the background, drag and drop the image onto the selection square.
6. Once you’ve selected the desired color or image, the folder’s background will be updated accordingly.

How to Restore MacBook Folder Icon to Default

If you want to restore the folder icon on your MacBook back to its original look, follow these easy steps:

1. Locate the folder for which you want to restore the default icon.
2. Click on the folder and choose “Get Info.” You can also select the folder and press ‘Command + I’.
3. In the “Get Info” window, click on the folder icon at the top-left corner to select it.
4. Go to the menu bar, select “Edit,” and choose “Cut.” Alternatively, you can press ‘Command + X’ to remove the custom icon.
5. Close the “Get Info” window, and you’ll see that the folder icon is back to its original appearance.