How to Change Folder Colors on Mac Running macOS Catalina

Last Updated: June 23, 2020 5:56 pm

To personalize your Mac, you may like to change the color of folders from the default blue to a shade of your choice. This customization will also help you quickly differentiate an important folder and know about it even without looking at its name. The idea behind modifying folder color in macOS Catalina is the same as changing apps and folder icons. So without further delay, let’ get started.

How to Change Color of Folders on Mac

You can do this for an existing folder as well as a new folder. In this guide, I am using a new folder.

Step #1. Right-click in Finder or Desktop and click New Folder.

Step #2. Right-click on this folder and click Get Info.

Step #3. Click on the blue folder icon from the top left. You will see a dark outline around it.

Step #4. Press Command(⌘)+C or click Edit from Menu Bar and then select Copy.

Step #5. Now open Preview from Launchpad. Or, open Finder → Applications → Preview.

Step #6. Click on File from the top. Next click New from Clipboard.

Step #7. Click on the pencil icon (mark up icon).

Step #8. Click on the prism icon.

Step #9. Now, use the sliders to change the color. Possibilities are limitless. You will see significant color changes when you drag the slider named Saturation, Tint, and Sepia. Play with every slider you see to achieve your desired color.

Step #10. Once done, close the Adjust Color pop-up.

Step #11. Click Edit from the top and choose Select All. You will see the dotted lines. If not, click on the big colored folder icon and then Select All.

Step #12. Next, click Edit → Copy.

Step #13. Go back to Get Info window and click on the folder icon from the top.

Step #14. Press Command(⌘)+V or click Edit from Menu Bar and then select Paste.

Step #15. Done! You may now close all open Windows-like Get Info and Preview.

The macOS folder color has been successfully changed.

That’s all, mate!

Now, you may go ahead and repeat this process for existing folders. Chances are little, but even if something goes wrong, the contents of the folder won’t be deleted. So, feel free to be creative.