How to stop custom folder icons on desktop from flickering with iCloud Drive changes?

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How to stop custom folder icons on desktop from flickering with iCloud Drive changes?

The folder icons on my desktop are flickering between the default folder icon and a custom icon. The flicker seems to occur as a result of iCloud drive updating. It is very distracting and annoying. Hoping someone can please help stop this behaviour or if this is a bug that it can be fixed?

Example:

To reproduce:

Enable iCloud Drive with Desktop and Documents.
Add a folder to the desktop.
Give this folder a custom icon.
Change the contents of the folder (eg add and remove an empty folder).

The issue also occurs periodically while iCloud is uploading or downloading larger files or groups of files.

I have disabled iCloud, logged out of Apple ID, restarted, logged back in and re-synced all files. Issue persists.

Up to date with macOS Monterey 12.1 at the time of this writing.

Many thanks.

Posted on Jan 24, 2022 3:59 AM

Reply

Answer 1

bailier

Community Specialist

Jan 25, 2022 6:56 AM in response to puqeko

Hello puqeko,

From your post it appears you are having an issue with custom icons.

Try starting up the system in what is called safe mode. This will help isolate this issue.

To start in safe mode, begin with the computer powered off. Follow the directions found here, depending on what type of Mac you have: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

The computer will take longer to start in safe mode, and the screen may have some distorted video as it starts up. This is normal. Once you are logged in, use the system and test to see if the issue continues.

If everything seems to work as expected, go ahead and restart the computer normally and test again. Starting in safe mode forces the computer to run some disk checks similar to First Aid. This can resolve some issues.

Cheers.

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Answer 2

puqeko Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 26, 2022 2:59 AM in response to bailier

Hello bailier,

Thank you for taking the time to write your reply.

I have followed the directions you have linked to boot into safe mode. The issue of the custom icons flickering between the default icon and the custom icon still occurs in safe mode. It also still occurs when restarting back into normal mode.

Any further advice would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

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Answer 3

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Jan 27, 2022 6:14 AM in response to puqeko

Hello puqeko,

If the issue is still happening in safe mode, we would recommend that you Contact - Official Apple Support

They are going to be in the best position to assist you further.

Cheers.

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How to stop custom folder icons on desktop from flickering with iCloud Drive changes?

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