How to Change Folder Color on Mac

What to Know

  • You can change the color of folders on Mac by going into the Get Info tab and customizing the folder image icon.
  • To change folder color on Mac, you'll need to open a copy of the folder image into the Mac-native app called Preview.
  • To change the image, you can simply copy and paste a new one!

One of the best parts of having a Mac is the ability to customize every detail. Did you know that you can change folder colors on Mac? There are actually a lot of different ways you can change the folder icon on Mac, and it's not difficult once you learn how! First, we'll cover how to change the color of folders on a Mac, and then we'll go over how to use your own custom image for Mac folder icons!

Jump To:

How to Change Folder Color on Mac

If you like the built-in folder icon that comes standard on the Mac but you want to update the color, there's a way to use the preview app to edit the color. However, if you have another photo editing software that you usually use, you can use this method with that application instead.

  1. First, to copy the folder into Preview, right-click the folder.

    how to change folder icon mac
  2. Click Get Info.

    mac folder icons
  3. Select the folder at the top.

    macbook folder icons
  4. Copy the folder by pressing Command + C.

    icons for folders on mac
  5. Without closing anything, open the Preview app.

    how to change folder color on mac
  6. In the menu bar, click File.

    how to change folder colors on macbook
  7. Click New From Clipboard.

    how to change color of folder on mac
  8. Click Markup.

    change folder color mac
  9. Click the Color Editor button.

    changing folder color mac
  10. Adjust all the sliders until you achieve the color you want. 

    how to change the color of folders on mac
  11. When you like the color, exit out of the color editor.

    mac change color of folders
  12. Select the new folder or simply make sure the layer with the new folder is selected in Preview.

    change mac folder color
  13. Copy the image by pressing Command + C.

    macbook change folder color
  14. Click back to the folder's "Get Info" window.

    macbook how to change folder color
  15. Select the folder at the top again.

    mac how to change folder color
  16. Press Command + V to paste the new folder image.

    can you change the color of folders on mac
  17. Now, click Exit.

    changing folder colors on mac

As I said above, if you prefer a different photo editing software, you can use that instead of Preview. However, for those of us who aren't particularly photo-savvy, using Apple's native Preview app is good enough. If you want to learn other cool things about Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day!

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

How to Change Folder Icon on Mac

If you're a particularly creative person or you love to customize your Apple devices, then you may be interested in how to simply change the folder icon all together, as opposed to just its color. To find images, I suggest using your photos from the Photos app or searching for an image on the internet. 

  1. First, find an image you'd like to use instead of the default folder.

    how to change the color of a folder on mac
  2. Right-click the image and click Copy Image.

    how to change color of folder on macbook
  3. Right-click on the folder you want to change the icon of.

    can you change folder color on mac
  4. Click Get Info.

    change color folder mac
  5. Select the folder at the top.

    colorful folders mac
  6. Press Command + V to paste the new folder image.

    mac colored folders

And that's how you change the folder color or image on a Mac!

FAQ

  • How do I customize my Mac Dock? In System Settings, select "Desktop & Dock." There, you will find many options to customize your Mac Dock
  • How can I organize my desktop on a Mac? There are many different ways to organize your desktop. You might want to check out our best tips for organizing your Mac's desktop for productivity and ease.
  • How do I hide/unhide Mac Dock? Sometimes, you can accidentally enable or disable the Mac Dock. To learn how to hide or unhide a Mac Dock, hover over it with your mouse, then right-click where there are no apps present. From there, select "Turn Hiding Off" or "Turn Hiding On."
Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Rachel Needell's picture

Author Details

Rachel Needell

Rachel Needell is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life, and a poet and author. With 10-plus years of experience working with Apple devices, she specializes in all-things iPad and is a Notes App expert, having worked on both the 2023 iPad Guide and the Notes App Guide. You can usually find her writing in the Daily Tip newsletter as one of our senior Tip writers. Rachel received her Master’s degree in English Literature in 2021 and her most recent work appears in the Winter ’21 edition of New Note Poetry. When she’s not obsessing about Apple products, you can find her voraciously reading fantasy books with her cat in Asheville, North Carolina.