MacOS 26.4 update broke custom icons on my Intel iMac (Retina 5k, 27inch, 2020, 3.6 i9). I also cannot paste custom icons onto files, folders, or disks.
Anyone else seeing this? Is this Intel Mac specific?
iMac 27″, macOS 26.4
Apr 9 2026 ➜ CUSTOM ICONS ARE BACK ON INTEL MACS!
The macOS 26.4.1 update released this afternoon—and just installed by me—has returned visible custom icons to my Intel Mac.
You won't read about it in the release notes, but the missing icons fix was included.
That was a 16-day turnaround since the bug was introduced, so I do credit Apple for not making us wait for the future macOS 26.5 release—which is likely more than a month away.
The update fixed icons for me too!
Apr 9 2026 ➜ macOS 26.4.1 update CUSTOM ICONS ARE BACK ON INTEL MACS!
Me too!!!
Thank you!! 😊
26.4.1 Fixed the bug!!! My icons are back.
Mine, too, and I'm a real happy camper! Kudos to the residents of Apple Techie Town for remembering the lowly users and providing a fairly rapid fix. Thanks for the kindness - a fast kindness at that. I take back all the nasty thoughts I've been having. Well, maybe not all, just those regarding the techs.
Apr 9 2026 ➜ CUSTOM ICONS ARE BACK ON INTEL MACS!
The macOS 26.4.1 update released this afternoon—and just installed by me—has returned visible custom icons to my Intel Mac.
You won't read about it in the release notes, but the missing icons fix was included.
That was a 16-day turnaround since the bug was introduced, so I do credit Apple for not making us wait for the future macOS 26.5 release—which is likely more than a month away.
The update also fixed my missing icons on shortcuts to SMB share file and folders. Nicely done Apple. I appreciate the quick resolution.
I can confirm on my 2019 16" MacBook Pro (Intel) that updating to Tahoe 26.4.1 resolves the missing custom icons issue. Thanks Apple!
Confirmed. Icon bug seems to be fixed on my Intel Mac with macOS 26.4.1. Rejoice.
just to confirm, you have an Intel mac that lost all custom icons with macOS26.4 and now you are able to paste icons into the get Finder get info windows again with 26.4.1?
Hooorayyy... 26.4.1 Update fixed/ revived ma custom icons!!!!
zafarjafree wrote:
Subject: Custom Folder Icons (PNG) Disappeared and Cannot Be Re-applied in macOS Tahoe 26.4
sir:
Hello,
I am writing to report a persistent issue I’ve encountered after updating to macOS Tahoe 26.4.
The Problem:
Before the update, I had several folders with custom PNG images set as icons. Immediately after the 26.4 update, all these custom icons disappeared and reverted to the default blue folder icon.
You can provide Apple with product feedback here:
Is this a known bug in version 26.4?
To people on this forum, it is a known bug. You posted to page #3 of this thread and there are at least two other much longer threads on this forum.
However, we have no idea if Apple actually knows about the bug which is why people should be notifying Apple directly since Apple is not here on these discussion forums. These forums are just regular users assisting other users. Apple does not participate in these forums.
You can provide feedback using the link I provided and/or contact Apple support & make an official ticket with them to solve the problem as long as you keep escalating the issue until it reaches the engineers.
If anyone has found a fix or a workaround to restore custom folder icons, please let me know.
Thank you.
From what I've gathered from the posts on this forum, the custom icons are still intact, but are just not displaying on macOS 26.4. When people view the files/folders with customized icons on an older version of macOS, those customizations appear to be intact.
zafarjafree wrote:
Subject: Custom Folder Icons (PNG) Disappeared and Cannot Be Re-applied in macOS Tahoe 26.4
sir:
Hello,
I am writing to report a persistent issue I’ve encountered after updating to macOS Tahoe 26.4.
The Problem:
Before the update, I had several folders with custom PNG images set as icons. Immediately after the 26.4 update, all these custom icons disappeared and reverted to the default blue folder icon.
What I’ve Tried:
1.I tried to re-apply the PNG images using the standard "Get Info" (Cmd+I) method.
2.I copied the image from Preview and tried to paste it onto the folder icon in the Info window, but it simply does not show up or revert back instantly.
3.I have tried restarting the Finder and the system, but the custom images are still not appearing.
Device Details:
OS: macOS Tahoe 26.4
Processor: 3.2 GHz 16-Core Intel Xeon W
Is this a known bug in version 26.4? If anyone has found a fix or a workaround to restore custom folder icons, please let me know.
Thank you.
Hello ma'am,
This is a user-to-user forum. Apple doesn't participate here.
Subject: Custom Folder Icons (PNG) Disappeared and Cannot Be Re-applied in macOS Tahoe 26.4
sir:
Hello,
I am writing to report a persistent issue I’ve encountered after updating to macOS Tahoe 26.4.
The Problem:
Before the update, I had several folders with custom PNG images set as icons. Immediately after the 26.4 update, all these custom icons disappeared and reverted to the default blue folder icon.
What I’ve Tried:
1.I tried to re-apply the PNG images using the standard "Get Info" (Cmd+I) method.
2.I copied the image from Preview and tried to paste it onto the folder icon in the Info window, but it simply does not show up or revert back instantly.
3.I have tried restarting the Finder and the system, but the custom images are still not appearing.
Device Details:
OS: macOS Tahoe 26.4
Processor: 3.2 GHz 16-Core Intel Xeon W
Is this a known bug in version 26.4? If anyone has found a fix or a workaround to restore custom folder icons, please let me know.
Thank you.
This doesn't work. I've tried it multiple times. I don't share my drive or Mac with other users.
You are among a large number of users reporting this on community. However, if one can give credence to the report that only one user has reported directly to Apple, maybe it's time we all did that and see what the powers tha be at Apple techie town have to say. I've already reported it to Apple, so I guess I'm the only one who did -- he said with dripping sarcasm. Will this help? I'm not holding my breath, but hope springs eternal, right?
MacOS 26.4 update broke custom icons on my Intel iMac
