Custom Icons

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Level 1

10 points

Custom Icons

Hello,

I have changed an icon image to a custom icon. After a few days it reverts to a blank page with an A made of pencils and a rule in the corner... - Why does it keep forgetting the image?

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So, I know what I am doing... I have a folder on my desktop with a custom icon, this has stayed the same for 5 years, so no problem. - I do know how to do this, and other icons I have changed work fine, it's just this one.

Recently, I have started using new cloud based software for work, this works best in Chrome, I only ever use Chrome for this purpose. I have moved Chrome to my dock and wanted to change the logo to that of the software I use. - I have downloaded the image, and discovered that I have to change the icon in the 'Applications' folder, this allows the change, and after a while it filters down to the Launchpad and Dock icons.

This then stays for a few days, but after a while the icon changes to a generic "can't-find-the-image" type one (not back to the Chrome original). If I go back to the 'Applications' folder 'Get Info' and click the generic image, press delete, it reverts the the Chrome icon. I can replace either of these with the custom one no problem, but again, after a few days it forgets...

What am I doing wrong?

I got bored keep trying to find the image, so I even created a folder in 'Applications' called 'Google Custom Image' so it sits immediately next to Google Chrome so I can find the logo easily, and therefore it shouldn't forget - but it still does... I wonder if it is Chrome updating, however I would have thought this would revert to the Chrome image not a generic one...

Not really a big issue, but an annoyance!

Any advice welcome!

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on May 11, 2020 1:53 AM

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Answer 1

May 11, 2020 6:37 PM in response to swiftlx

Hey there swiftlx,

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. I understand the custom icon you’re using for Chrome is being replaced unexpectedly. I’ll be happy to help.

It sounds like you’re following the steps to replace the icon as expected in this link:

Create custom icons for files or folders on Mac

To verify, does this happen with any other apps? You may want to try with a built-in app and see if the issue reoccurs. Another step that may help is to test this in safe mode or a new user account:

How to use safe mode on your Mac

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

Let me know if this helps.

Regards.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,744 points

Jun 4, 2020 7:01 PM in response to swiftlx

If this icon reversion only occurs with Chrome, I have to wonder if the background Google processes that periodically run and check for, and apply Chrome version updates — are noticing the checksum for the application has changed due to the different icon, and Google is resetting the icon back to the original Chrome version.

Are you using a .icns icon based on a 512x512 source .png image?

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,626 points

Jun 5, 2020 1:23 PM in response to swiftlx

Mac OS' capability to change to custom icons was somewhat diminished some time ago. I used to change a lot of the icons myself.

it no longer allows you to change icons for any system folders and I've noticed it also applies to Applications (at least when I tried it).

You can easily change icons in your User folder, but not anything installed by the System. And, a .jpeg does not work usually; you need an .icns file pic/icon.

And, as a sidenote: the Applications folder is part of the system and should only contain applications, so it is best not to add misc. folders there.

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,744 points

Jun 5, 2020 1:40 PM in response to swiftlx

Applications (.app) typically have an internal application icon that is an Apple Icon Image format (.icns), and the name of that icon is usually stored in the application's Info.plist. The other alternative is that the operating system sees a discontinuity between what the application is said to be, and what you have assigned, and throws its hands up and applies the dunno icon.

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Answer 5

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Jun 5, 2020 12:31 PM in response to swiftlx

Hey swiftlx,

Thanks for providing that info. If the issue is still occurring after following the steps provided, you may want to reach out to Apple Support at the following link so they can look into this with you:

Get Support

All the best!

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Answer 6

swiftlx Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 4, 2020 1:29 AM in response to MichelleT18

Good morning,

The Chrome icon has just reverted back to the 'can't find image' icon again - to be fair, this is the longest it has ever stayed the way I want it for, however the problem has re-occurred.

Like I said before, the folder that I created and changed the icon for has remained for 6 years now. Is that because it is an "in house" folder? I just find this rather irksome!

Thanks for your help.

Chris

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Answer 7

swiftlx Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 5, 2020 1:39 AM in response to VikingOSX

Hi,

Thanks PsyDye, but as I have said in my original post, that is what I have been doing...

VikingOSX, that is my thought too, albeit a little less technical than your explanation.! However it doesn't reset to the chrome logo, its a blank page with an 'A' made out of stationary - I guess it must be Apples non Apple "Can't find the image" logo.

The image I am currently using is a 300 × 93 JPEG source. But as I am doing the exact process PsyDye has suggested I feel it should work... and it does until (I suspect) Chrome does some sort of background update...

It is because it doesn't reset back to the Chrome logo and goes to this 'holding slide' that confuses me - I would understand if it went back to Chrome because that would definitely be an update situation... When it happens and I go to 'get info' I can re-paste the image I want, and it stays for a few days, however if I delete the 'holding logo' then it does return to the Chrome one. This makes me suspect it may not be a Chrome update thing...

Intriguing...!

Thanks for your help though guys.

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Answer 8

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Jun 4, 2020 4:48 PM in response to swiftlx

Hey swiftlx,

Thanks for going through those steps. Open the pic you want to use as in icon in the Preview app and select Edit > Select All from the Mac menu bar. Then select Edit > Copy.

Once you’ve done this, Control-click Chrome from the Applications folder and choose Get Info. Inside the window that appears, click on the image in the top left corner and select Edit > Paste from the Mac menu bar.

I hope this helps.

Take care.

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