Cannot change folder icon color

What you did is understandable, & should work; this changed from Mac OS X.

A few steps to 'copy an image' and to 'use that to replace original folder' look.

• Change icons for files or folders on Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-icons-for-files-or-folders-on-mac-mchlp2313/mac

There is a way to change icons and/or folders; add an image to the Folder, etc.

[While 'Tags' and 'Favorite's used to add colors to folders, they were only

used in the System they were created in. So the colors would not stick.]

This can be used to replace a generic folder icon with an image, or a different custom

folder icon. ~ Used to be a good graphics tool in early Mac OS and OS X; to draw your

own logos and icons into the Folder's image, and re-use them. That was nice enough.

..Used to be a way to add colors and make Favorites, too. ~ Maybe Tags, can do, too?.

This may be what you were looking for; while I'd remembered stuff from 10-15 yrs

ago, found nothing recent seems available. My old Leopard/Tiger systems could.

Hello Mac_Iv,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

It sounds like you’re unable to change the icon for a folder on your Mac. We’d be happy to help.

Are you trying to use an icon from another folder?

We would recommend checking out Change icons for files or folders on Mac.

Also, restarting your Mac or trying to set the icon while in safe mode may help. Here’s how to Start up your Mac in safe mode.

Take care.

Mac_Iv,

We're happy to hear that the issue doesn't continue in safe mode! After leaving safe mode by restarting your Mac, test again for that issue. Safe mode likely may have resolved it. However, in the instance that it continues after leaving safe mode, check out the suggestions under "If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode" in How to use safe mode on your Mac.

Have a nice day!

PS: There are online sources of folder images, some in pastel colors, without names on them.

This site offers some for Mac and PC. ~ No guarantees, but supposed to be free to use.

• Download 'Blank Folder Set' for Mac - https://una.im/downloads/gradient-folders--blank.zip

Mac Computers

1. First, open the custom folder icon in preview (right-click on image > open with preview)
2. Once the image has been opened in Preview, cmd+C or go to edit > copy so that the image is on your clipboard
3. Right-click on the folder you wish to customize and select “Get info”
4. Select the tiny folder icon and the very top-left corner in the “Get info” window then cmd+V to paste

• How to change your Mac/PC Folder Icons | XO Pixel

https://xopixel.com/how-to-easily-customize-your-mac-pc-folder-icons/

• PC/Mac folder icons - https://una.im/gradient-folders/

Other older ideas may work to customize folders; these also can use Preview in the process.

• Create your own unique icons - Macworld

https://www.macworld.com/article/202819/icons-2.html

• How to Customize Mac's Folder icons with Any Image (quicktip) - Hongkiat

https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/customize-mac-folder-icon/

• How to Change App, File, and Folder Icons on a Mac | howtogeek

https://www.howtogeek.com/677739/how-to-change-app-file-and-folder-icons-on-mac/

These may [or not] work in newest Mac system, but still should.

Learn about security before accepting downloads from internet.

Mac_Iv,

After you copy the folder icon, are you able to paste it somewhere such as the Notes app or in a blank Pages document?

If the blue folder icon pastes in a blank note for example, you can then right-click on the icon and select "Open with Preview."

Let us know if that works.

Mac_Iv,

Have you tried copying the folder icon while in Safe Mode? Is your macOS up to date?

Take care.