Convert ICNS to BMP on Mac
Select the ICNS files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose BMP and press Return. FileFlip saves each BMP next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert ICNS to BMP with FileFlip
Select the ICNS files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from ICNS. Type “BMP” to jump to it.
Choose BMP and press Return
The BMP files appear next to the originals with the same names. The ICNS files stay as they are.
ICNS and BMP
The icon format of macOS. One ICNS file holds the same icon at several sizes, up to 1024 × 1024 pixels. Some older Windows software and hardware only accept BMP.
What changes when you convert
- Both formats are lossless, so the image itself doesn’t change. Only file size and compatibility do.
| Property | ICNS | BMP |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Apple Icon Image | Bitmap image |
| Made by | Apple | Microsoft |
| Compression | Usually PNG inside | Usually uncompressed |
| Best for | Mac app, folder and file icons | Older software that requires it |
| Opens in | macOS; rarely anything else | Windows and most image editors |
| File extension | .icns | .bmp |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Preview
Open the ICNS in Preview, choose File → Export, pick Microsoft BMP from the Format menu and click Save. If Microsoft BMP isn’t listed, hold Option while you click the Format menu. For several files, open them together, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and choose File → Export Selected Images.
Good for a few files now and then.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format bmp icon.icns \
--out icon.bmpBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about ICNS and BMP
Does converting ICNS to BMP lose quality?
Both formats are lossless, so the image itself doesn’t change. Only file size and compatibility do.
Can I convert many ICNS files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose BMP. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the BMP file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .bmp extension. The ICNS file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert BMP back to ICNS?
Yes, FileFlip converts BMP to ICNS as well.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole folder of images at once
FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac