How to change a folder color on Mac
macOS doesn't have a “folder color” option anywhere in Finder or System Settings — no menu lets you tint a folder red, green, or blue the way some other systems do. That surprises a lot of people, since coloring an icon or a tag feels like it should be just as easy. Here's what's actually possible: the honest limitation, the native workaround that gets you close, and a way to color the real folder shape directly with Mac+.
macOS has no native folder color setting
Search Finder's preferences, right-click menus, or System Settings and you won't find a “folder color” control anywhere. The closest built-in feature is Finder tags — small colored dots you can attach to a file or folder — but a tag only adds a label next to the name. It doesn't recolor the folder icon itself, which is what most people actually mean when they search for this.
The only way to change how a folder looks on macOS is to replace its icon entirely, through the Get Info window. That's an icon swap, not a color setting — worth knowing before you go looking for a preference that isn't there.
The workaround: paste a colored folder image via Get Info
Since there's no direct color option, the native trick is to find or create an image of a colored folder and paste it over the real folder's icon using Get Info. We cover the exact copy-paste mechanics — including the mistakes people usually hit — in our guide on how to change a folder icon on Mac. In short: you need a square image, you paste into the small icon preview at the top-left of the Get Info window (not onto the folder itself), and you can undo it any time by selecting that icon and pressing Delete.
It works, but it means finding a folder image in the exact shade you want at the right resolution, then repeating the process for every folder you want to match.
The direct way: recolor the real folder shape with Mac+
Mac+ skips the image-hunting step. It's a native macOS app with 44 color palettes that apply directly to the real macOS folder shape — not a flat image pasted on top — so the result still looks and behaves like an actual Finder folder, just in the color you picked. Select a folder, pick a palette, apply: done in a couple of clicks, and reversible with one click if you change your mind.
Mac+ also includes 52 icon patterns across 24 families if you'd rather add a motif than a flat color, and you can still import your own image for anything more specific. Everything renders locally, with no telemetry. The free tier includes 6 folder icons to try before deciding; the full version is a one-time €9.99 lifetime unlock (or an optional €1.99/month plan). It runs on macOS 13 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel.
How to get a folder color in a few clicks
- Open Mac+ and select the folder you want to recolor.
- Choose one of the 44 color palettes (or a pattern, if you'd rather add a motif than a flat color).
- Click Apply — the real folder shape updates instantly, no image needed.
- Change your mind? Select the folder again and click Reset to return to the default macOS blue.
macOS 13 or later. Apple Silicon and Intel. Free tier includes 6 folder icons, no account required.
Frequently asked questions
Does macOS have a built-in folder color setting?
No. Finder and System Settings have no “folder color” control. The closest native feature is colored tags, which add a small dot next to a file or folder name but don't recolor the folder icon itself.
How do I color a folder on Mac without installing anything?
Paste an image of a colored folder over the real icon using Get Info (⌘ + I). It's the same copy-paste mechanic used to change any folder icon — see our full step-by-step guide for the exact clicks and common mistakes.
What's the difference between a folder color and a folder icon?
A color just tints the folder itself; an icon replaces it with a different image or motif entirely. Natively, both are done the same way — pasting an image via Get Info — which is why macOS treats them as one feature rather than two separate settings.
How many folder colors does Mac+ offer?
44 palettes, applied directly to the real macOS folder shape rather than a pasted image, plus 52 icon patterns across 24 families if you want more than a flat color.
Can I undo a folder color change?
Yes. With the native Get Info method, select the small icon and press Delete. In Mac+, select the folder and click Reset — either way it's back to the default blue instantly.