Simple Way to Change the External Storage Icon in macOS Tahoe 26

It's been about a month since the update to macOS Tahoe 26. Are you satisfied with the new features and comfortable operation, but find one thing "off"?

That is the fact that the external storage icon remains the same as in the previous version.

It's a bit disappointing when you're using the latest macOS, but the icon is still the old style, isn't it?

So, this time, we will show you how to manually change the external storage icon to the new design of macOS Tahoe 26!

For Users of Multilingual Sites

While this site supports multiple languages, even if the screenshots are in Japanese, the location of the folders and settings you need to operate should essentially be the same. Please use this as a reference.

Steps to Change the External Storage Icon to the macOS Tahoe 26 Specification

Follow these steps to copy the system's icon file and apply it to your external storage.

Step 1: Access the System Folder

First, navigate to the location where the source icon file is stored.

1. Click on "Macintosh HD".

Note: The name is usually "Macintosh HD" unless you changed it during installation. If you did change it, the startup disk (where the OS is installed) folder name is your starting point.

2. Click on the "System" folder inside.

Step 2: Go to the Library and Extensions Folders

3. Click on the "Library" folder.

Note: Be careful not to mistakenly navigate to the "Library" inside the "User" folder. Here, select the root "Library" folder that pertains to the entire system.

4. Click on the "Extensions" folder.

Step 3: Locate the Icon File

5. Right-click on the "IOStorageFamily.kext" folder within the "Extensions" folder, and click "Show Package Contents".

6. In the window that opens, click the "Contents" folder.

7. Next, click the "Resources" folder.

Step 4: Apply the Icon to External Storage

8. Locate the "External.icons" folder (this is the desired icon file) inside the "Resources" folder.

9. Select the external storage (SSD, HDD, etc.) whose icon you want to change, right-click, and click "Get Info" to open the window.

10. Look at the small icon displayed in the top-left corner of the external storage's "Get Info" window.

11. Drag and drop the "External.icons" folder you found in Step 8 directly onto the small icon in the top-left corner of the external storage's "Get Info" window.

Important: Do not drop it onto the preview area inside the "Get Info" window, but onto the small icon itself displayed in the top-left corner of the window.

Step 5: Done!

12. If successful, the external storage icon will change to the new design of macOS Tahoe 26!

You can change the icons of other external storage devices using the same procedure.

No Worries About Changing the Icon!

Even if you follow the steps incorrectly or accidentally use a different icon, you can redo this procedure to change it again.

Also, instead of the system's standard icon, you can add and apply your own favorite custom icon using the same steps.

There are no difficult operations involved. If your external storage icon is still the old style, please take this opportunity to try it out and unify your Mac desktop with the latest design!