Replace Macos App Icon - acgerphorehiemoc’s blog

The application icon, typically displayed in the top-left corner of an application's top-level windows, is set by calling the QWindow::setIcon() method.

In order to change the icon of the executable application file itself, as it is presented on the desktop (that is, prior to application launch), it is necessary to employ another, platform-dependent technique.

Note that your app icon can only be changed at the user’s request and the system always provides the user with confirmation of such a change. Provide visually consistent alternate icons in all necessary sizes. Like your primary app icon, each alternate app icon is delivered as a collection of related images that vary in size. Select the folder that you would like to reset the icon of, open the Info Sheet, select the custom icon and press DELETE on your keyboard. I have recorded a short video clip that demonstrates how to change the icon and how to revert it back.

Setting the Application Icon on Windows

First, create an ICO format bitmap file that contains the icon image. This can be done using Microsoft Visual Studio: Select File >> New, and choose the Icon File.

Note: You need not load the application into the Visual Studio IDE as you are using the icon editor only.

Alternatively, an .ico file can be created from a set of images using ImageMagick's convert tool:

Store the ICO file in your application's source code directory, for example, with the name appico.ico.

Using CMake

To configure your application's icon, a resource file containing information about the icon is required. A resource file is a text file that contains information about the application resources, such as icons, cursors, fonts, and so on. For more information about resource files and what it can contain, see About Resource Files.

Once you have the .rc file, add information about the ICO file to it and use it to configure your application icon.

The following snippet example demonstrates how to set up application icon using CMake:

Notice that the set command, defines the APP_ICON_RESOURCE_WINDOWS variable, which contains the path of the RC file. This variable is used with the add_executable command to set the application's icon.

Using qmake

If you are still using qmake to generate your makefiles, you need to add a single line to your .pro project file:

Finally, regenerate your makefile and your application. The .exe file will now be represented by your icon in Explorer.

However, if you already have an .rc file, for example, with the name myapp.rc, which you want to reuse, the following two steps will be required. First, put a single line of text to the myapp.rc file:

Then, add this line to your myapp.pro file:

If you do not use qmake, the necessary steps are: first, create an .rc file and run the rc or windres program on the .rc file, then link your application with the resulting .res file.

Setting the Application Icon on macOS

The application icon, typically displayed in the application dock area, is set by calling QWindow::setWindowIcon() on a window. It is possible that the program could appear in the application dock area before the function call, in which case a default icon will appear during the bouncing animation.

Macos Big Sur Icons

To ensure that the correct icon appears, both when the application is being launched, and in the Finder, it is necessary to employ a platform-dependent technique.

Although many programs can create icon files (.icns), the recommended approach is to use the iconutil program supplied by Apple. iconutil is a command-line tool that converts iconset folders to deployment-ready, high-resolution icns files. Using this tool also compresses the resulting icns file, so there is no need for you to perform additional compression.

Using CMake

To configure the application's icon, the Info.plist file generated by CMake must contain the icon information. This can be achieved by setting the .icns file name to the MACOSX_BUNDLE_ICON_FILE variable.

The following snippet demonstrates how to set up the application icon using CMake:

Notice that the first set command defines the MACOSX_BUNDLE_ICON_FILE variable, which is required to add the icon file to the Info.plist file. The second set command defines the APP_ICON_MACOSX variable with the absolute path to the icon file. This variable is then used to configure MACOSX_PACKAGE_LOCATION, which defines the icon file's install location. Finally, the add_executable uses the APP_ICON_MACOSX variable to set the application's icon.

Using qmake

If you are still using qmake to generate your makefiles, you only need to add a single line to your .pro project file. For example, if the name of your icon file is myapp.icns, and your project file is myapp.pro, add this line to myapp.pro:

This will ensure that qmake puts your icons in the proper place and creates an Info.plist entry for the icon.

If you do not use qmake, you must do the following manually:

Create an Info.plist file for your application (using the PropertyListEditor, found in Developer/Applications).
Associate your .icns record with the CFBundleIconFile record in the Info.plist file (again, using the PropertyListEditor).
Copy the Info.plist file into your application bundle's Contents directory.
Copy the .icns file into your application bundle's Contents/Resources directory.

Setting the Application Icon on Common Linux Desktops

In this section we briefly describe the issues involved in providing icons for applications for two common Linux desktop environments: KDE and GNOME. The core technology used to describe application icons is the same for both desktops, and may also apply to others, but there are details which are specific to each. The main source of information on the standards used by these Linux desktops is freedesktop.org. For information on other Linux desktops please refer to the documentation for the desktops you are interested in.

Often, users do not use executable files directly, but instead launch applications by clicking icons on the desktop. These icons are representations of 'desktop entry files' that contain a description of the application that includes information about its icon. Both desktop environments are able to retrieve the information in these files, and they use it to generate shortcuts to applications on the desktop, in the start menu, and on the panel.

More information about desktop entry files can be found in the Desktop Entry Specification.

Although desktop entry files can usefully encapsulate the application's details, we still need to store the icons in the conventional location for each desktop environment. A number of locations for icons are given in the Icon Theme Specification.

Although the path used to locate icons depends on the desktop in use, and on its configuration, the directory structure beneath each of these should follow the same pattern: subdirectories are arranged by theme, icon size, and application type. Generally, application icons are added to the hicolor theme, so a square application icon 32 pixels in size would be stored in the hicolor/32x32/apps directory beneath the icon path.

K Desktop Environment (KDE)

Application icons can be installed for use by all users, or on a per-user basis. A user currently logged into their KDE 4 desktop can discover these locations by using kde4-config, for example, by typing the following in a terminal window:

Applications using Qt 5 and KDE Frameworks 5 will find their icons in the list returned by this command:

Typically, the list of colon-separated paths printed to stdout includes the user-specific icon path and the system-wide path. Beneath these directories, it should be possible to locate and install icons according to the conventions described in the Icon Theme Specification.

If you are developing exclusively for KDE, you may wish to take advantage of the KDE build system to configure your application. This ensures that your icons are installed in the appropriate locations for KDE.

The KDE developer website is at http://techbase.kde.org/.

GNOME

Application icons are stored within a standard system-wide directory containing architecture-independent files. This location can be determined by using gnome-config, for example by typing the following in a terminal window:

The path printed on stdout refers to a location that should contain a directory called pixmaps; the directory structure within the pixmaps directory is described in the Icon Theme Specification.

If you are developing exclusively for GNOME, you may want to use the standard set of GNU Build Tools. For more information, see the Application launching section. This ensures that your icons are installed in the appropriate locations for GNOME.

The GNOME developer website, http://developer.gnome.org/, provides more insight into developing applications.

© 2020 The Qt Company Ltd. Documentation contributions included herein are the copyrights of their respective owners. The documentation provided herein is licensed under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License version 1.3 as published by the Free Software Foundation. Qt and respective logos are trademarks of The Qt Company Ltd. in Finland and/or other countries worldwide. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

The Dock is the center point of navigation on macOS. It’s the first place you go to after starting up the Mac. But, this does not mean that the Dock is perfect. Despite Apple’s continuous upgrades, there are a few things that you can’t do such as removing native apps, stretching the Dock to the sides, etc. That’s why I have made the list of the best Mac Dock customization apps. Let’s begin.

You have two choices here. You can either use these apps and the Mac Dock side by side. Alternatively, you can go ahead and hide the dock. As of now, it is not possible to permanently disable the Mac dock. The maximum you can do is prevent it from showing up every time you open something. Either way, these Dock replacements will be worth your time.

Read: Best Weather Apps for Mac

Customize Mac Dock

1. DockShelf

DockShelf lets you create multiple docks when one is not enough. In many ways, that’s true too. You can have multiple sub-docks to keep things better organized and easy to access in the long run.

By default, DockShelf is placed on the left side of the screen. There are three different sections, for Places, Notes, and Apps. Hovering on the section icons will open up the sub-docks. For instance, you can find the usual apps in the Apps section. Unlike the traditional dock, DockShelf lets you keep extra links and even files for easy access.

It’s hard to customize DockShelf, all of the options are crammed in a small interface which makes it hard to navigate. DockShelf offers a set of additional features such as Smart Folders and Desktop Docks.

Salient Features

Basic and Intuitive
Supports multiple docks

Check out DockShelf ($4.99, free demo)

2. ActiveDock

ActiveDock is meant to be a better version of what Apple offers in macOS. You get an improved dock with amazing features and customizability. You can do a lot of things in ActiveDock, especially things you were not able to do in the traditional dock. To simply quote the developers, it’s the same dock, but better.

In this dock, you can hover over the icon to see the current window. Even better, you can choose how to arrange the particular window. Simply click on the desired layout, and boom: everything is cleaned up.

From the background color to the icons in use, you can customize almost everything on the dock. You can also create Groups and Folder for better organization of your files, apps, and folders. Compared to DockShelf, ActiveDock is easy to set up, maintain, and use on a regular basis.

Salient Features

Better Window Management
Ultimate customization options
Support Groups & Stacks

Check Out ActiveDock ($19.99, free demo)

3. HyperDock

HyperDock brings many features that you haven’t seen in the traditional dock. In effect, you’re using a different type of dock on the Mac. One thing that I loved about HyperDock is that it’s tightly integrated with your Mac. There is no need to worry about glitches even in macOS Mojave.

For instance, when you hover over the Calendar icon, HyperDock will show you the available events. In the same way, you can control media playback by hovering over the iTunes icon. When it comes to the standard windows, you get a clean preview and management options. As the developer says, the app is bringing many of the awaited features to the macOS dock.

HyperDock too offers ample options for customization. Because you are dealing with the traditional dock, it cannot change color or anything. Still, you can add options for window management and dock items.

Salient Features

Replace Macos App Icons

Brings features to the Dock
Easy to implement and use

Check out HyperDock ($9.95, but it has a limited free version too.)

4. uBar

uBar is perhaps the most popular and trustworthy Dock replacements for macOS. It is packed with a number of features that can redefine your macOS navigation experience. Window Previews, Pinning, Multi-Monitor Support are just some of the features included in the package. This Dock replacement is expected to enhance your productivity.

You can configure uBar as a dock or as a taskbar. When configured as a taskbar, this app resembles a good old Windows taskbar. The active apps are stacked on the bar. When you hover over the icon, uBar shows a preview too. The bar also contains a few extra sections like Calendar, Clock, and shortcuts to Desktop, Trash, etc. The bar menu seems to resemble the Windows Start menu in many ways.

You can customize how this navigation app looks and performs. Just like you do in Dock, uBar can be placed on three sides of the screen. There is also a bunch of advanced customization when it comes to themes, Pinning etc. In short, uBar can your own in many ways.

Salient Features

A Productive UI
Advanced Window Management
Plenty of Customization options

Macos Big Sur Icons Download

Check outuBar ($30, 14-Day free trial)

5. cDock

cDock is the app to get when you wish to personalize the Dock on macOS. cDock comes with a few exciting tweaks that allow you to do things that you can’t do with stock dock. For instance, you can completely remove Launchpad, Finder, and Trash from the Dock that wasn’t possible otherwise.

Other features include custom badges on icons such as Trash, hide apps from showing up in the Dock, custom colors and transparency modes, etc. It has a few personalization options such as dimming inactive apps, custom images on the Dock, fullscreen width dock that transform your boring Dock completely. cDock is free to try and costs just $5.

Salient Features

Powerful customization options
Custom themes
Additional Settings to Customize Launchpad and Mission Control

Check out cDock ($4.99, Free Demo)

6. Dockey

Dockey isn’t a Mac dock alternative but more like a Mac dock customize App. Nevertheless, it can improve the overall Dock experience in the long run. You can use Dockey to speed up and optimize the Dock. You will have to do these things otherwise using Terminal, which is hard.

It’s a completely free app, which is easy to use. Simply launch the program, make the changes, and save the Settings. Your Dock will be optimized in no time. Sounds awesome, right?

Check out Dockey (free)

7. Replacement icons

Like most OS, macOS also allows you to install your own custom icons for favorite software and system components. However, find good icon packs for your macOS is a challenge. Fortunately, there are few artists who handmade replacement icons for macOS.

Replace Macos App Icon Windows 10

Changing an icon of an app is really simple. Simply download the icon pack from the links below and unzip the contents. Navigate to the folder or app whose icon you wish to change. In my case, I wanted to change the icon of Chrome. So I right-click the Chrome app in the Applications folder and press CMD+I. Now, simply drag the icon you downloaded and drop it to the thumbnail of the Chrome icon in the Get Info Window. Restart the app to see the changes.

Check Out Replacement icons and Mac Replacement Icons (Free)

The Bottom Line

Macos App Store

Most of the tools are freemium and you can check out the demo anytime. Coming to the options, we’d recommend uBar if you’re looking for some serious change and customization options. As we said, uBar brings a Windows task-bar feel to the whole macOS interface. On the other hand, if you want to boost the existing dock’s functionality, HyperDock would be something impressive. Also, let us know which one is your favorite.

Read: Get Microsoft Paint for Mac With These 5 Apps