Getting Around a Common Custom Icon Problem

Creating a custom Finder icon for a file or folder is as simple as copy and paste. However, a common problem people experience is when they try to copy and paste a whole file as the new icon and get a generic image icon instead of the picture. The trick is to copy the image inside the file, and not the file itself.

Comments: 6 Responses to “Getting Around a Common Custom Icon Problem”

    Bob
    7 years ago

    Related; For years I've changed the icon's of all my flash drives to solid bright red. It mitigates the issue if inadvertently leaving one behind. Great videos, Thanks!

    Suzanne
    7 years ago

    Is there a way to add the image on top of the folder icon--with the folder edges showing all around it? I want the folder to look like a folder, not just an image.

    7 years ago

    Suzanne: Yes. You just have to build the image that way. You can use Preview, Photoshop or whatever image editing tool you are comfortable with to create such an icon. There are also many online collections that feature folder-looking icons. See https://macmost.com/simple-custom-icons.html

    Martin
    7 years ago

    In the olden days...80s...we were taught to get info on the jpg file, copy, get info on target folder or file, paste...The only problem is that these days sometimes those icons don't transfer through the cloud...it appears the jpegs can become stripped of those images...work around is to re-save jpeg when it lacks and icon...new file has icon...and then return to method I just outlined...

    Marcus
    7 years ago

    Hi, how would you revert? Is it just a case of selecting the icon again in file info and deleting it?

    7 years ago

    Marcus: Right. You Get Info, then click to select the icon, then press the Delete key on your keyboard.

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