Customizing your Mac is one of the easiest ways to make it feel more personal, creative, and fun. One of the best customization tricks is changing the icons of your favorite apps. Whether you want a minimalist look, colorful icons, or a themed desktop, macOS makes it surprisingly simple to switch app icons without using any special software.

Here’s a complete, step-by-step guide to help you change app icons on macOS.

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1. Find or Create the Icon You Want

Before you start, you’ll need an image file to use as the new icon.

You can use:

• .icns files (best quality)
• .png files
• .jpg files
• Any square high-resolution image

Tip: For best results, choose images with transparent backgrounds (PNG) or download macOS-style icons from icon websites.

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2. Copy the New Icon

Once you have the image:

1. Open the image in Preview.
2. Press Command + A to select the entire image.
3. Press Command + C to copy it.

Now the icon is stored in your clipboard.

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3. Open the App’s Info Window

Go to your Applications folder or Dock.

1. Right-click (or Control-click) on the app.
2. Select Get Info from the menu.

A small information window will appear.

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4. Paste the New Icon

At the top-left corner of the Info window, you’ll see the app’s current icon.

1. Click once on that small icon to highlight it.
2. Press Command + V to paste your new icon.

Your app will instantly switch to the new icon.

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5. Authenticate (If Required)

macOS may ask you for your administrator password.

• Enter your password.
• Click OK to confirm.

The icon will now be updated everywhere—Finder, Launchpad, Dock, and Spotlight.

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6. Reset to Default Icon (If Needed)

If you ever want to go back to the original icon:

1. Open Get Info for the app again.
2. Click the custom icon.
3. Press Delete on your keyboard.

The default system icon will return immediately.

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7. Tips for Better Customization

✔ Choose High-Resolution Icons

Low-quality images may look blurry on Retina displays.

✔ Use Consistent Styles

A matching theme makes your macOS desktop look clean and aesthetic.

✔ Back Up Your Icons

Save your custom icons in a folder so you can switch easily later.

✔ Some Apps Need Special Steps

For App Store apps or system apps, macOS may block changes. You can still do it, but extra steps like disabling SIP are not recommended for beginners.

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Conclusion

Changing app icons on macOS is a quick and simple way to personalize your workspace and give your Mac a completely new look. With just a few clicks—copy, paste, and confirm—you can redesign your Dock, refresh your desktop, and make your Mac truly yours.