Personalizing your MacBook is one of the many joys of owning an Apple computer. While the default folder icons on macOS are functional, they may not always reflect your personal style or make it easy to locate specific folders briefly.
Thankfully, macOS provides a simple and intuitive way to change folder icons and colors, allowing you to organize and customize your digital workspace.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps of changing MacBook folder icons and colors, helping you add a touch of personalization and efficiency to your workflow.
How to Change MacBook Folder Icon
To change the folder icon on a MacBook, you can follow these steps:
- Find an icon image
- Start by finding or creating an icon image that you want to use for the folder.
- The image should be in the .icns or .png format and have a maximum size of 512×512 pixels.
- Select the folder you want to change
- Locate the folder on your MacBook that you want to customize the icon for.
- You can choose any folder on your desktop or within the Finder.
- Get Info
- Right-click (or Control-click) on the folder and select “Get Info” from the contextual menu.
- Alternatively, you can select the folder and press Command + I on your keyboard.
- Open the folder’s information window
- The “Get Info” window will open for the selected folder.
- It contains various details and settings for that folder.
- Copy the new icon
- Locate the .icns file or the image file you want to use as the new folder icon.
- Select the file and press Command + C to copy it.
- Paste the new icon
- Press Command + V to paste the copied icon image onto the folder icon.
- The new icon should replace the old one.
- Close the information window
- Close the folder’s information window by clicking the “X” button in the top-left corner or by pressing Command + W.
- View the updated folder icon
- Go back to the Finder or desktop and locate the folder you modified.
- The folder should now have the new icon you selected
How to Change MacBook Folder Color
There are a few ways to change the color of a folder on a MacBook.
Using Preview
- To alter the color of a folder, control- or right-click on it.
- Go to the menu and choose Obtain Info.
- To make the folder icon in the upper left corner of the folder details box stand out, click on it.
- Choose Copy from the drop-down menu when you click Edit in the menu bar on the top left of the screen.
- Discover the Preview app and launch it.
- Open Preview and select File from the menu. Choose New from the Clipboard.
- Choose the icon for Adjust Color (looks like a prism with light shining through).
- Press Command+V after clicking the folder in the Folder Info box.
- The Folder Info window can now be closed, and your folder will be updated
By Using Tags
- Locate a folder in Finder or on the desktop.
- Right-click the folder, then select Tag.
- Choose a color and a new tag name
- choose Create new tag, then press Enter to apply it to your desired folder.
Using a Third-Party App
There are several third-party apps that allow you to change the color of a folder on a Macbook. One of the popular apps is Folder Color
Here are the steps on how to change MacBook folder color using a premium app like Folder Color:
- Install Folder Color on your Mac.
- Open Folder Color.
- Select the folder you want to change the color of.
- Click the “Change Color” button.
- Select the color you want to use.
- Tap “OK”.
- The folder will now be the color you selected.
Here are some of the Best features of Folder Color
- Change the color of folders individually or in bulk.
- Create custom color schemes for your folders.
- Save your color schemes for future use.
- Apply folder colors to all folders of a certain type, such as Documents, Music, or Pictures.
- Use Folder Color to organize your files and folders more easily.
Folder Color is a paid app, but it offers a free trial so you can try it before you buy it.
Here are some other premium apps that allow you to change the color of folders on a MacBook
- Iconizer
- Folder Painter
- Folder Labeler
These apps offer similar features to Folder Color, but they may have different pricing plans.
How to Change MacBook Folder Background Color
To change the background color of a folder on a MacBook, you can follow these steps:
- Open the folder you want to change the background color of.
- Click on the “View” menu and select “Show View Options”.
- In the “Background” section, select “Color”.
- Choose a color from the color picker.
- Click on the “Use as Defaults” button if you want all folders to have the same background color.
- Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
Here are some additional tips for changing the background color of folders on a MacBook
- You can also use a picture as the background for a folder. To do this, select “Picture” from the “Background” section in step 3. Then, browse to the picture you want to use and click on the “Open” button.
- If you want to change the background color of multiple folders at once, you can select them all before following the steps above.
- You can also use a third-party app to change the background color of folders on a MacBook. There are many different apps available, so you can choose one that has the features you need.
How to Restore MacBook Folder Icon to Default
To restore a MacBook folder icon to its default, you can follow these steps:
- Right-click or control-click the folder to which you want to restore the icon.
- Choose Obtain Information from the menu.
- To highlight the folder icon, click on it in the upper left corner of the folder info pane.
- On your keyboard, press the Backspace or Delete key.
- The folder icon will be reset to its original position.
Here are some additional tips for restoring MacBook folder icons to their default:
- If you have changed the icon of multiple folders, you can restore them all at once by selecting them all before following the steps above.
- If you have changed the icon of a folder using a third-party app, you may need to uninstall the app to restore the default icon.
- If you are still having trouble restoring the default icon for a folder, you can contact Apple Support for help.
How to Create Own Custom Folder Icons in MacBook
You can create your own custom folder icons in MacBook. Here are some ways to do it:
- Use a drawing app: You can use a drawing app like Preview or Photoshop to create your own custom folder icons. Simply create a new image file and draw the icon you want to use. Once you’re finished, save the image file in a format that supports transparency, such as PNG or TIFF.
- Use a website: There are several websites that offer free or paid custom folder icons. These websites typically have a variety of different icon designs to choose from, so you can find one that fits your needs.
- Use a third-party app: There are several third-party apps that allow you to create custom folder icons. These apps typically have a variety of features that allow you to customize your icons, such as the ability to change the color, size, and shape of your icon.
- Once you’ve created your custom folder icon, you can use it to replace the default icon for any folder on your MacBook.
- To do this, right-click or control-click the folder and select Get Info.
- Then, click on the folder icon and select Change Icon.
- Browse to the location of your custom icon file and select it. Click Open and the icon will be replaced.
Here are some additional tips for creating custom folder icons:
- Make sure your icon is saved in a format that supports transparency. This will allow the folder’s name to show through the icon.
- Keep your icon’s file size small. Large icon files can slow down your Mac.
- Use a consistent design for your custom folder icons. This will help your folders look organized and professional.
FAQs
Will changing the folder icon and color affect the files inside the folder?
No, changing the folder icon and color will not affect the files or content inside the folder. It is merely a visual customization that helps you identify and organize your folders more efficiently. The actual files and data inside the folder will remain unchanged.
Will changing the folder icons and colors consume additional system resources?
No, changing the folder icons and colors does not consume significant system resources. It is primarily a visual customization and does not impact the performance or resource usage of your MacBook.
