https://github.com/keepcoolch/macostahoe26appiconfix
macOS Tahoe 26 App Icon Fix: Refresh the ugly app icons and re-apply existing app icons
https://github.com/keepcoolch/macostahoe26appiconfix
appicons fix macos tahoe
Last synced: 9 months ago
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macOS Tahoe 26 App Icon Fix: Refresh the ugly app icons and re-apply existing app icons
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/keepcoolch/macostahoe26appiconfix
- Owner: KeepCoolCH
- Created: 2025-10-04T22:47:30.000Z (9 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-10-04T23:17:25.000Z (9 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-10-05T01:11:01.762Z (9 months ago)
- Topics: appicons, fix, macos, tahoe
- Language: Shell
- Homepage: https://www.kevintobler.ch
- Size: 2.93 KB
- Stars: 2
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# 🎨 macOS Tahoe 26 App Icon Fix
**Refresh and re-apply existing macOS App icons** using [`fileicon`](https://github.com/mklement0/fileicon).
Developed by **Kevin Tobler** – 🌐 [www.kevintobler.ch](https://www.kevintobler.ch)
---
## 🧩 Overview
This script automatically **refreshes all app icons** located in `/Applications` on **macOS Tahoe 26**.
It checks each `.app` bundle and re-links its icon using the command-line utility `fileicon`.
Useful when:
- Finder icons appear **blank** or **don’t update properly**
- You’ve **manually replaced** app icons and they’re not displaying
- After **system upgrades** or **cache resets**
---
## 🎥 Video Guide
Here’s a quick video tutorial for the script:
👉 [https://youtu.be/ehVe1Obpbyg](https://youtu.be/ehVe1Obpbyg)
---
## ⚙️ Requirements
- **macOS Tahoe 26**
- **Terminal access**
- **Homebrew** installed
- **fileicon** utility installed
---
## 🧭 Installation
1. **Install Homebrew (if not already installed):**
```bash
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
```
2. **Install fileicon via Homebrew:**
```bash
brew install fileicon
```
3. **Download or copy this script**
Save it as: `macOS_Tahoe_AppIconFix.sh`
4. **Make it executable (optional):**
```bash
chmod +x macOS_Tahoe_AppIconFix.sh
```
---
## ▶️ Usage
Run the script with **sudo** (required for modifying app icons):
```bash
sudo zsh macOS_Tahoe_AppIconFix.sh
```
Then enter your password when prompted.
---
## 🪄 What It Does
- Checks for `fileicon` binary (Apple Silicon `/opt/homebrew` or Intel `/usr/local`)
- Scans `/Applications` for all `.app` bundles
- For each app:
- If a custom icon exists, it is **refreshed** (extracted and re-set)
- If no icon is linked, it **re-applies the default app icon**
- Finally, **restarts Finder** to show updated icons
---
## 💡 Example Output
```
🎨 Refreshing already linked App icons ...
🔧 Safari.app
♻️ refreshed existing icon
🔧 Mail.app
✨ re-applied default icon
🔧 GarageBand.app
⚠️ no icon found
🔄 Reloading Finder...
✅ Done!
```
---
## 🧹 Troubleshooting
**fileicon not found:**
Run:
```bash
brew install fileicon
```
**Finder icons still not updated:**
Try manually relaunching Finder:
```bash
killall Finder
```
**Some apps skipped:**
System-protected apps may not allow icon changes (e.g., Safari, Mail).
---
## 🧑💻 Author
**Kevin Tobler**
🌐 [www.kevintobler.ch](https://www.kevintobler.ch)
📦 macOS Tahoe 26 App Icon Fix
> “Because a refreshed Mac deserves refreshed icons.” ✨
---
## 🪪 License
MIT License – You’re free to use, modify, and share this script.
Attribution appreciated 🙌