Change a folder icon on Mac—and know how to undo it.

01

Copy the icon you want to use

Select the supplied icon file in Finder and open File → Get Info, or press Command + I. Click the small icon at the top-left of the Get Info window, then press Command + C.

If you are using a regular image instead, open it in Preview, choose the image content, and copy it. A proper ICNS file generally preserves more suitable macOS icon sizes.

02

Paste it onto the target folder

Select your target folder, open Get Info, and click its small icon at the top-left. A visible selection outline should appear. Press Command + V.

Finder should update the folder icon. If the target is protected or you do not have permission to change it, macOS may refuse the paste or ask for authorization.

03

Restore the default icon

Open Get Info for the customized folder, click the small custom icon at the top-left, and press Delete. Finder returns to the folder’s default icon.

This restores the standard icon. It does not reconstruct an earlier third-party custom icon unless you kept a copy of that earlier asset.

04

If the icon does not refresh

• Close and reopen the Finder window.
• Confirm you selected the small icon in Get Info, not only the filename.
• Test the same icon on a new local folder you own.
• Avoid changing protected system folders or disabling macOS security features.