MacBook dark icons revert after Safe Mode

Hi, since I started my MacBook in Safe Mode, I’ve been having a problem with the appearance of icons. My default dark icon setting has stopped working. The appearance options (light / dark / auto) work, but when I try to set the icon appearance to dark or clear dark, it switches back to the default look (Dock and Spotlight app list). Using clear light theme works fine.


Additionally, the Dark icon option in the settings has changed its icon to look the same as the default option. I’m attaching reference screenshots.


Any ideas how to fix this issue?



[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 9, 2026 10:58 AM

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2 replies

Jan 9, 2026 11:02 AM in response to ichbingrzesiek

ichbingrzesiek wrote:

Hi, since I started my MacBook in Safe Mode, I’ve been having a problem with the appearance of icons. My default dark icon setting has stopped working. The appearance options (light / dark / auto) work, but when I try to set the icon appearance to dark or clear dark, it switches back to the default look (Dock and Spotlight app list). Using clear light theme works fine.

Additionally, the Dark icon option in the settings has changed its icon to look the same as the default option. I’m attaching reference screenshots.

Any ideas how to fix this issue?


Shut down and restart and try again...(?)

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you can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple


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MacBook dark icons revert after Safe Mode

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