Quick Tip: How to change macOS folder color [9to5Mac]

[@thespeedytraumahealer]

I wish MAC would just add a right click 'change folder colour' lol. Would be a whole lot easier! Still trying to get this workaround to work for me. But thank you!

[@runalongnow4960]

Exactly, it's easier to deliver my unborn baby. I think they do this on purpose to boil our blood. I know the people working at apple are one of the smartest people. Don't tell me they are unaware of the inconveniences they have placed at every turn.

[@jdcv17]

Apple should've added that feature by now!

[@cs77smith67]

@@jdcv17 naw I think it to hard for them to add but let me know if they added it

[@flarecat3614]

If the final step of copy & pasting isn't working for you, try this! -When you're satisfied with the folder color you've made, drag the image onto your desktop -Open the image and press command+A (select all) and then command+C (copy) -Now copy this into the folder as he shows. You could theoretically also do this with any PNG image if you're having trouble getting the color you want, but I haven't tested that yet. Tell me how it goes if you try it! -Zoe

[@Kimmhv]

it worked! thanks!!

[@geertjestube]

yesssss, this works on Mac OS High Sierra! Great, thanks!!

[@nagabhushanchoudhari6116]

Thanks a lot, It worked !!!!! :-)

[@wetracoon]

It works with images, too! Thanks for your help! Have a great day

[@fameenaali3604]

Sweet! Tysm 🤗

[@nicolemarlin6900]

I am not able to click "New from Clipboard" in Preview. It's not copying into the clipboard at all (but other things are). Do you have any idea why that's happening?

[@ging.studio]

Had the same issue!

[@oBvIoUsLy_penni]

the same thing is happening to me does anyone know how to fix this?

[@sydneyhutchins9316]

It was happening to me, too. I restarted my laptop, and it worked after that.

[@claudiabokor4154]

right click > “get info” > click little folder > “edit” > “copy” > open up the preview app > “file” > “new from clipboard” > click little button that says “show up marker tool bar” > “adjust colour” > “edit” > “select all” > “edit” > “copy” > click on the little folder again > “edit” > “paste” :) hope this helps

[@valentine3838]

HAHA WHY DID THIS HELP

[@jareddegood8313]

I like changing my fowder color too.

[@user-cy3tj3uv1h]

Krippy Krippy Krippy Krippy Kush Kush Kush Kush, thank you!

[@clipitty]

@@kinocchio In the American English its spelled "color".

[@Alannah23]

I did it with one folder but. Can’t seem to get it to work with any others. When I get to the step New from clipboard I can’t press it

[@cindyliu9214]

Omg!!! I tried so long to change the colour of my folders, and finally this video showed me how to do this! I'm liking and subscribing! Tysm!

[@Legomanta]

PSA: You can use any image to customize your fowder icons! Makes some great potential designs on your desktop possible!

[@AnjaEvenson]

Thank you for this video Jeff! I've come back to this video multiple times when I've forgotten a step here and there. Making desktops look great 👌

[@yosoyelcorrido]

Very well explained! Brief, clear and to the point no run arounds! Thanks for sharing and keep it simple on all your videos

[@saraharora89]

I have been wondering how to do this since I got my Mac. I knew there had to be a way, I just could not figure it out. Thank you!

[@alexachi6551]

Wouldn't let me "Open in New Clipboard."

[@TehBearzz]

did u have preview open?

[@noae909]

i did it once and the second time i tried this it couldn't let me "open in the new clipboard" too

[@lauraferrera7295]

Best explanation out of the dozen I looked at . Orderly and clear.

[@jpdemer5]

Different process for High Sierra: In addition to the sliders, you can drag the markers under the color spectrum to get things like yellow and magenta. You can add text with the Annotate tool. When you have what you want, Export the image as a png file. Open the png (in Preview), hit cmd-C, and paste THAT into the get info window of the folder you want to color. An alias of the folder will remain cyan; you have to delete it and make a new alias.

[@nickyvazquez]

TYSMMM!!! I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME BECAUSE I COULDN'T MAKE IT TO FIX THE SIZE AND RIGHT PROPORTIONS UNTIL I SAW YOUR COMMENT!!! big thanks!!!

[@miischax]

I have been looking for something like this for so long - finally found something that works quick and easy! thank you so much for posting this :) however, when trying to change the color of a folder which previously has been changed it does not seem to work anymore

[@burakdahan4182]

How can I apply my chosen colors to all files though? This only changed the color of selected folder...

[@CALLmeeNATTY]

Straight to the point, thank you for this fast and easy and well explained tutorial!

[@theresavazquez9842]

Worked like a charm! Thanks for the step by step tutorial!

[@HolisticWitchofMd]

omg thank you!!!!! ive been trying to figure this out longer than I'd care to admit. This tutorial was quick and easy! You're The Best : )

[@SmashedPancakes3939]

I’ve tried everything and it just won’t work

[@mehekanand]

mine worked on the first try?

[@Karen_Vinck]

Yeah, mine doesn't work either.

[@sabaha8396]

Hey Jeff, thanks for the video, I got a problem tho. I was able to change the color of the first folder, but thereafter I haven't been able to do so. Not sure what I am doing wrong, I followed directions. copy and paste. the folder just doesn't seem to be adjusting to the new format. I even checked the clipboard it has the new formatting. please shed some light on this. Thanks

[@MariaPerez-kd5kw]

it's doing that with mine also

[@wumpyinc1]

Same

[@benberg7475]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS I'VE BEEN WANTING MORE ORGANIZATION!!!! :D

[@VictorianStudio]

Thank you so much! It didn't work for me until I saved the settings before doing the "select all" to copy and paste. Then it worked like a charm! Thank you!

[@RawGameplay]

What's a fowder?

[@wocaomade]

What's a computer

[@angelita2213]

@@wocaomade a computer is a machine that alows you to do multiple things the main one being programing and internet surfing source: Wikipedia

[@mayaghokapsh3978]

its not letting me press new from clipboard

[@MattHalpain]

super cool thanks for posting this tutorial of how to change the folder color in MacOS

[@snkarie7500]

I tried doing this with the instructions and got lost at the end and the Apple Genius could not help. I finally watched the video and was able to create my yellow folder. I am going to create other colors too. Thanks for the video. I am subscribing.

[@JayColemen]

Thank you! Very helpful and straight to the point. Love to see it!

[@frankiej5185]

Thank you for this simple way to change the color of my folders. That blue would drive me crazy. Thank you for sharing!

[@jasmineramnani1816]

THIS IS AMAZING THANK YOU SO MUCH I NEEDED THIS INSTEAD OF MY DAD GIVING ME AN 8 HOUR LECTURE ON APPLE AND MAC OS THANKS FOR THIS SHORT AND EXTREMELY HELPFUL TIP ON HOW TO CUSTOMIZE!!

[@Justaneet]

This was so helpful and useful! Great, quick, easy to follow, to the point video!

[@bunnyjess50]

Thanks, your explanation is very clear and simple, nice video 😄

[@elissarol3412]

thank you so much! easy to follow and such a great way to spice up your desktop- thanks!

[@TehBearzz]

tried for so long and found this video which nails it! works perfectly 10/10

[@Havenonearth883]

The 'New From Clipboard' option isn't available/clickable on my mac. What do i do?

[@Navajosun]

Thank you! This was the best explanation. Every other video I went to was so complicated.

[@RawFitChris]

Worked for me. Had to pause the video at a few key points but it worked like a charm! Thanks! (Mac Mojave)

[@sa-man-tha]

Thank you for this video! I was able to successfully change my icons and I'm thrilled with my new layout. Much appreciated.

[@alexpercy2494]

This is amazing! So easy! I literally just made all my folders blush colored. It works perfectly with my marble desktop background. :)

[@iliaannai3627]

Mine doesn't show new from clipboard, now what?

[@anirevach]

the preview does not open "new from clipboard", what do i do?

[@GummiISmile]

Thank you so much, from the other that i have watched,they are so quick. And it worked 😁 Keep up the good work.

[@crystaldberg]

You totally just rocked my world man! LOVE YOU!

[@lesterabastillas9291]

thank you! im new to Mac and this is all overwhelming so thank you for this, really! it was helpful and straight to the point, very informative

[@hannahmoore5510]

This video is so helpful. I use these steps all the time, and even 20 folders later after I think I remember all the steps, somehow I seem to forget something and have to rewatch again. LOL

[@skylerl2327]

Thank You! I was looking everywhere for this :)

[@muleyg]

Thanks for the tip. Does this method work on an external drive's folders as well?

[@len_was_taken]

why is there so many unnecessary steps just to change the folder colours LOL

[@uggggggghhhhh]

apple loves to make things difficult for users

[@madisonwilliamson]

Fr! Lol!

[@ibuch_yt]

1:46am? Jeff's working late!

[@moon-cg9xm]

thank you!! super quick and easy explanation w no time wasted :)

[@fortuneteebyiap9177]

Thank you Jack! took a while but it worked! xx

[@JoKrasevich]

I don't know why this is SO hard for me to do. I"ve done it before but can never remember how. why at the price of these macs is there not a colour option??

[@chelseainawe]

Thank you ever so much! 🙏 This was super helpful ☺

[@Silasx4]

Can you do another video explaining why it will not paste at the end ? Nevermind flarecat's method worked. Thank you!

[@kenzieltaeib1532]

idk why its not letting me paste it into the info drop box :( not working for me 😓

[@squiddies_]

theres a bug with the clipboard that sometimes prevents you from pasting/copying the folder icons. to fix this, simply take a screenshot of anything and copy it to clipboard. then try again to copy the folder icon

[@annebucklemusic]

This is so cool! Thanks for sharing this tip :)

[@klaramilaxzdwa2861]

Um i cant do “new from clipboard” like i literally cant click that

[@blanca4597]

Open a random photo in the preview app and then file - new from clipboard

[@juliesumner990]

Thank you for the vid! very easy to follow

[@oliveriwellnessconsultants9159]

awesome. easy to follow instructions. thank you

[@ihavenolife3134]

It worked! Thank you so much it looks so cool!

[@funkyrblx3684]

tysm!! straight to the point and clear explanation!

[@latinesheay2615]

good inf o by the way, for my PC, I use Folderchanger to enhance the overall look and feel. Google Folderchanger

[@mastershifu4573]

Thank you, this helped me a lot. Good explanation :D

[@janetteburmaster1023]

I did the steps with my new MacBook Pro 2020, and the 'New From Clipboard' doesn't recognize the folder!? Any tips?

[@janetteburmaster1023]

I figured out a way to create my own image and replace the folder completely instead! :)

[@UNBOXINgdude]

oh ya bro

[@annalise-ns7uu]

thanks man!!! worked a treat

[@pennypresspuzzlelady9779]

This was FABULOUS!! Thank you.

[@robni7]

Hi Jeff, is there also a way to change the color system wide?

[@MrBlaq]

Oh Snap! You took it back to the days of OS 9

[@BellaJames]

ive got a new MacBook Pro 2021 and the new from clipboard option is greyed out so it won't let me do this!

[@anthonyarriaga8198]

Bloody brilliant mate!! All my folders are Gray now. Thanks!

[@clipitty]

OH MY GOD! IT WORKED!! THANK YOU!!!!

[@maithaaldaisi4271]

thank you it was easy to follow and it worked.

[@mrmicro5559]

I literally thought I was crazy for not figuring out this myself, and its to change a color on a box

[@princesaa__]

THIS WORKS!!!!! 😍💕 But I had to tweak it a little, in order for it to work! But it works!!!!

[@musicmachineplayer]

Thanks... always wondered how to change folders colours with in a mac. Is it possible to give folders images with a mac? would very appreciate if it could be shown.

[@terrili964]

Worked for me. Thank you!

[@sabrinaclift1180]

In case anyone's wondering, this methods works with the new Mojave iOS. I tested this out and managed to get my folders to be a nice orange color to go with the Mojave Dark Mode. It looks super cool. :)

[@emerywoodsman]

Sabrina that sounds fantastic and I 'm trying hard to replicate these steps but the folder color will not change with Mac OS 10.14.3. Which version of Mojave are you using and if it is the same could you describe the steps. I would appreciate it immensely.

[@sabrinaclift1180]

@@emerywoodsman I originally did it with 10.14.2, but I just updated to the .3, and it still worked. I followed the steps again to create a white color this time, and you can save your color adjustment by going up to File (make sure the Preview app is open). You click Save, and make sure to leave it set to the ICNS default file format and leave the Alpha button checked. You can designate its name and save location. Once you've done that, you can easily change all your desktop's folder colors to that saved color (albeit one folder at a time), without having to create the color over and over again each time. It will save to the designated location as a folder itself. You just double click on the folder and it'll open up as the Preview document. Drag a box around the colored folder and then hit command+C. Then, like in the video, select a folder you want to change, control+click, and then "Get Info." Then click on the tiny blue folder icon at the top and go under Edit > Paste (note that command+P doesn't work for some reason). It should work, although you'll have to repeat the Get Info and Paste steps for each folder (Apple still hasn't made it so that you can just set a default color of your choice). :) Hope this helps.

[@iampattyocampo]

ahhhh the easiest tutorial!! i was like wooooooah it changed!! hahahah thank you for this video!

[@marlon_guan]

Is it Bc u r on the new iMac Pro that makes the zooming effect so smooth?

[@taglabarry254]

Hi, when i click on preview-> new from clipboard, but then promt says to convert image to pdf so i cannot edit the icon. what to do?

[@flyfisherjames]

Worked, BUT.....I changed the folder icon colour (even added a logo) but if I drag that folder to the sidebar to be always available in Finder sidebar, it doesn't show the change. I don't know if that's because the folder I want to use is in Dropbox or not.

[@sirdusti]

I was curious if it's possible to make the colors more of a red and green 'Christmas-y' color?

[@Applecompuser]

This should be way easier!!

[@9to5Mac]

LOL at people saying it's a typo. That's how you spell it. /s

[@georgec1856]

Folder

[@chrissame]

Are you ment to say folder? Never heard of the word "fowder" before.

[@georgec1856]

Through the Telescope! Well I come from the UK and we spell it folder.

[@daddyscrapes]

9to5Mac lol

[@princesaa__]

I’m American, and I’ve never seen the word ‘fowder’ before. It’s spelled ‘folder.’

[@phoebetappouras9095]

Super helpful! Thank you so much

[@AndieM1990]

Help!! After clicking on the icon and selecting COPY, when I open up the Preview App is not showing me the option New from Clipboard. :(

[@sazomedia]

Thanks for the tip, Jeff!

[@SspookzZ]

thank you for this! finally I wish it wasn't;t so chaotic to simply change folder color. is there anyway to change them all rather than doing it one by one?

[@clalyrics441]

I have MacOC Mojave (10.14.6). It stopped working when I hit paste. What I did that made it work, is I saved the new colour file (just press save, I think mine came up as a new folder or something). Then press paste again & it should work, even if that file is thrown out. Hope this makes sense!

[@eldem7294]

hello. Is there any way to change the location of the get info window? when we click on get info the window opens to the left side of the screen and it makes me feel discomfortable. do you feel same? thanks

[@3tranger]

Man this is changing my life!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ElmagodeJujuy]

Really cool tip!

[@Sara-vi8ov]

super useful my Mac looks cool now

[@kenishaedward3485]

this has been the easiest and best way!

[@sonictonic_]

Cool little tip. Thanks!

[@ruthlawrence1840]

Thank you!!! Very clear and helpful!

[@Jeph629]

...but he word "pink" (Folder name) underneath the icon is not changed. I'd like to change the size and color of the folder's name and do so individually so other folders are NOT affected in a similar way. ??Any tools or suggestions to do this??

[@oliviaaa2324]

I think the new update doesn't let you click the markup option in preview, is there any other way???