Easy way to change dock icons in El Capitan?

I Googled it, because I had never heard of customizing icons, and found this thread on MacRumors --> http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/changing-icons-on-os-x-el-capitan.1894403/

Apparently to do it now, it's far more involved than the simple copy/paste you were used to in Yosemite, so you might want to leave well enough alone. I hope this helps. 🙂

For applications it should still suffice to copy and paste the custom icon into the icon well in Get Info.

Only the icon you are seeing in the Dock will only change, after you first remove the old icon from the Dock and then drag the application with the new icon back to the Dock from the Applications folder.

My iTunes icon is blue again:

TJNJenkins,

I have the exact same problem !!

Lost my nice icons, can’t copy paste the icon to the Get Info page = bleep

Very annoyed because I had some sweet cartoon images as my icons 😟

all those lovely icons I had for Mail, Contacts and Safari have gone

Copy and paste of icons is working for many applications, but I just noticed the applications you listed are part of the system and installed with the system.

El Capitan has a new level of security to protect the system from malwarm - System Integrity Protection. Not even super users can modify certain areas of the system any longer. While I can easily modify the icon of iTunes, that is separately installed, it is not possible to change the icon of Mail.

If you want to be able to change system icons you would have to disable the System Integrity Protection, not a good idea. You might create AppleScripts or Automator scripts to open Mail, Contacts, Safari and add these scripts to the Dock instead of the original applications.

it seems like Apple or another app developer could make a lot of people happy by allowing them to customise their space a bit more than the screensaver.

How true! Being able to customize and personalize the Mac, and make it look unique used to be fun. Since MacOs X Lion are the macs dull and gray. First a grey sidebar, and now the app icons of many apps can only be changed by disabling the security settings.

You may want to send feedback to Apple: Apple - Feedback

The solution to virtually all of the problems that the update caused:

Restart mac in Recovery Mode (CMD + R while starting up)

Open Terminal in Recovery Mode

Type: csrutil disable

Restart mac.

Enjoy!

Type: csrutil disable

This will allow you to change system files all right, but it is dangerous because it will make your mac vulnerable. It disables the System Integrity Protection. If you accidentally download malware it will be able to install kernel extensions or troyans right into the system libraries.

If you give this advice, don't do it without explaining what it implies. Some newbie might stumble across your advice and create havoc on the Mac.

The new System Integrity Protection is important, if we are using the internet and downloading applications from the internet.

Some background reading, for those who want to try it: How to turn off system integrity protection on OS X (but don't ...

The solution to virtually all of the problems that the update caused

Sure - if you want your system exposed to all sorts of malware and other threats. As mentioned, if you choose to hack the system on your machine, that is fine; to recommend it without adding disclaimers and posting the steps to enable SIP again, is not a good idea.

My bad!

Of course, after you ppl have done your changes with icons and folders you have to Enable the security again!

Simply reboot the Mac again into Recovery Mode as directed above, but at the command line use the following syntax instead:

csrutil enable

The changes you did shall remain...

Thanx babowa and léonie 😀

The changes you did shall remain...

I have not tested this as I've decided that I do not wish to disable SIP - since you appear to have tested this, I have a question: since you say that changes shall remain, it appears to imply that your system has lost the new security features - is that correct?

Hi,

no it has not lost the sec features. the only things that "remain" changed are the ones the I waned changed, meaning the .png (icons/folders) on applications. the systems it self has not been compromised unless some of the readers have done anything while the settings was disable, such as installing "unsafe" software or visiting unsafe" sites. Normally if your Mac has the firewall up and running, and pw protection you are safe.

So by disabling and enabling the CSRUTIL the system remains the same. This command is needed for system admins and server functionality, and i many cases for 3rd party apps to work. I have it disabled all the time! It all depends on your skills and your work...

http://osxdaily.com/2015/10/05/disable-rootless-system-integrity-protection-mac- os-x/

To be safe when you edit you icons and folders, turn your net /wifi off, and dont install any apps whil doing the above! 😉

Sorry for my bad english...

P..

You have been presented with the opinion that SIP is a valuable security measure and should be reenabled. I disagree with that opinion. SIP does more harm than good. It breaks any legitimate programs that access certain folders, and prevents you from writing to those folders yourself, all to protect you from some theoretical malware. SIP is no different than anti-virus software in one respect, and that is the false sense of security. Even with SIP enabled, there is still a threat, albeit a small one. So why not disable it and not have to worry about it inhibiting your use, as there is a very small threat either way? To my knowledge, the only Mac malware out there at the time being either requires physical access to the Mac, or you'd have to inadvertently download something. Using safe web browsing practices will keep you safe from those threats, which exist whether SIP is on or not. Therefore I say leave it off if it's preventing you from doing something you want. That's what I've done, as I find it intrusive.

Thanx stevejobsfan0123,

I think this is the reason why our IT guys does the same on our new Mac's as well!

We had 30 Mac's and several servers since 2009, and we have never had any attacks or malware. Worst virus is iTunes 😉

Thnx..