PNG pastes as file icon in Preview on macOS

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PNG pastes as file icon in Preview on macOS

Hello,

I’m experiencing an issue with Preview on macOS.

In the past, I often used Preview in a very simple way: I would open a JPG image and a PNG image, then use copy and paste to place the PNG on top of the JPG (for example, a logo or a small shape). This always worked perfectly.

Recently, however, when I try to do the same thing, the pasted PNG does not display correctly. Instead of showing the actual image, Preview only shows the PNG file icon, as if the object was pasted but the image itself is not visible.

I have tested this with multiple JPG and PNG files, and the issue happens every time.

I’m wondering whether something has changed in Preview or macOS, or if I’m missing a step. What’s confusing is that I never had this problem in the past.

Posted on Jan 28, 2026 11:05 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 29, 2026 7:41 AM in response to Federicoso

Odd, I cannot replicate your issue. Have you tried rebooting your Mac? Do you have any 3rd party 'helpers' (antivirus, BrickMyMac, etc.) running?

I took a screenshot and exported that as a JPG, then took another screenshot and left that as a PNG file then copy/pasted it into the JPG in Preview.

Just to make sure, I pasted the above PNG screenshot along with a second PNG logo that I downloaded into a JPG file that is an image I shot with my Canon camera. I think the heron prefers the fish to the Apple, but still...it works fine.

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