Changing Folder Colours on macOS Without Third-Party Apps
Customising folder colours on macOS can significantly enhance your productivity and organisation skills. While third-party apps offer solutions for this task, macOS itself provides a built-in way to change folder colours, allowing you to personalise your system without additional software.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Folder Colours on macOS:
- Select the Folder: Begin by choosing the folder you want to customise. Right-click on the folder and select ‘Get Info’.
- Open the Info Panel: In the Info panel that appears, click on the folder icon at the top left corner. It will be highlighted in blue.
- Choose a Colour: Click on the ‘Edit’ menu in the top menu bar and select ‘Copy’.
- Open Preview: Open the ‘Preview’ app on your Mac.
- Create a New Image: In Preview, go to the ‘File’ menu and select ‘New from Clipboard’.
- Customise the Colour: In the ‘Tools’ menu, choose ‘Adjust Color’ to change the hue, saturation, and brightness of the image.
- Save the Image: Once you’re satisfied with the colour, save the image to your desired location.
- Return to the Info Panel: Go back to the Info panel of the folder you want to customise.
- Replace the Icon: Click on the folder icon in the Info panel, then go to the ‘Edit’ menu and select ‘Paste’. This will replace the folder icon with your customised image.
- Done! You have successfully changed the folder colour without using any third-party apps.
Benefits of Colour-Coding Folders:
Colour-coding folders on macOS can revolutionise the way you organise files and boost your productivity. Here are some benefits:
- Visual Organisation: Different colours help visually categorise folders, making it easier to locate specific files at a glance.
- Efficient Workflow: Colour-coding enables you to prioritise tasks and streamline your workflow by grouping related files together.
- Personalisation: Customising folder colours adds a personal touch to your Mac, making it more aesthetically pleasing and reflective of your style.
- Reduced Clutter: By assigning colours to folders, you can declutter your desktop and file system, leading to a more organised digital environment.
Embrace the power of colour-coding folders on macOS to transform your desktop into a well-structured and efficient workspace. With these simple steps, you can enhance your Mac experience without the need for third-party applications.

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