almazman
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: it isn't letting me change the icons on my mac for apple applications

I'm trying to change the icons on my mac to these modern white ones, but my mac isn't letting me change the icons of the applications that apple provided for me. I'm on the get info bit, and when i try to paste or drag my .icns file to the top left a weird noise comes up and it won't let me. help please. Im using iOS 9.2

MacBook Air, iOS 9.2

Posted on Jan 9, 2016 12:02 AM

Close
almazman

Q: it isn't letting me change the icons on my mac for apple applications

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by ckuan,

    ckuan ckuan Jan 9, 2016 12:03 AM in response to almazman
    Level 7 (34,308 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 12:03 AM in response to almazman

    You cannot change the icons.

  • by chroot,

    chroot chroot Jan 9, 2016 2:22 AM in response to almazman
    Level 4 (1,099 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 2:22 AM in response to almazman

    Check which version of OS X is installed.  Go to the black apple  then select About this Mac.

     

    If you are on OS X El Capitan (10.11.x) then the Apple applications are locked by the System Integrity Protection which prevents the icons from being changed.

     

    About System Integrity Protection on your Mac - Apple Support

  • by almazman,

    almazman almazman Jan 9, 2016 4:27 AM in response to chroot
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 4:27 AM in response to chroot

    Thank you for replying - why is this? I've just checked now and I'm on OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

    very frustrating  as i really wanted to change the icons

  • by chroot,

    chroot chroot Jan 9, 2016 4:46 AM in response to almazman
    Level 4 (1,099 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 4:46 AM in response to almazman

    Apple does not recommend disabling the System Integrity Protection but if you feel comfortable with doing so then it is your computer and your choice.  I will not explain how to do it in these forums but there's plenty of resources that you can find by using Google.

     

    Disabling SIP will leave you vulnerable to malware. Granted it would be no more or less vulnerable then earlier version's of OS X.  Most malware found on Macs were user installed anyways.  If you have a basic understanding of how a *nix based OS works then you should be fine.  It's your decision of customization vs passive protection.