How to change app icons on macOS

App icons on macOS don't always look the way you want. Here's how to change them, from start to finish.

There are lots of reasons you may want to change the icon of an app on macOS. Maybe the developer recently changed one of the icons and you don't like it as much as the old one. Perhaps you've got a great idea for a new themed appearance that you'd like to make. Whatever the reason, we can help show you the easiest way to change your icons.

We're not going to teach you how to make your own icons, as that can be an involved process. However, if you want to find ready-made icons, you can check out our favorite resources in our Customize your iOS 14 Home Screen article — they'll work just the same.

Important: You can only change the icon of third-party apps, such as Google Chrome, Slack, Photoshop, etc. You cannot change the app icon for Apple-related apps, such as Messages, Calendar, Music, and Podcasts.

You must click the small icon at the top left corner of the information window

How to change an app icon on macOS

Find an image you would like to use for your App icon and save it to your desktop. Square PNG and JPG files work the best.
Open Finder
Click Applications
Right click on the app whose icon you'd like to change
Select Get Info
Right-click the desired icon image on your desktop
Select Open With
Select Preview
While in Preview navigate to the top navigation bar
Click Edit
Click Copy
Navigate back to the app's Get Info window
Click the small icon at the top left of the window (see above image)
Press Command + V on your keyboard
Close the Get Info window
Close the app, and if needed, clear it from your dock
Reopen your app

Chrome's original icon (left) and the user-set icon (right)

Important: You must copy the image you wish to use from Preview, as merely left-clicking on the icon and copying it from your desktop will insert macOS's default placeholder image file.