Convert ICNS to PDF on Mac
Select the ICNS files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose PDF and press Return. FileFlip saves each PDF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert ICNS to PDF 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 “PDF” to jump to it.
Choose PDF and press Return
The PDF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The ICNS files stay as they are.
ICNS and PDF
The icon format of macOS. One ICNS file holds the same icon at several sizes, up to 1024 × 1024 pixels. A PDF looks the same on every device and is the safest way to send something to be read or printed.
What changes when you convert
- The image is placed on a PDF page, which is handy for sending, printing or attaching to forms.
| Property | ICNS | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Apple Icon Image | Portable Document Format |
| Made by | Apple | Adobe; an ISO standard since 2008 |
| Best for | Mac app, folder and file icons | Sharing, printing and archiving documents |
| Opens in | macOS; rarely anything else | Every browser, Preview, Acrobat and every phone |
| File extension | .icns | |
| 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 PDF from the Format menu and click Save. 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 pdf icon.icns \
--out icon.pdfBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about ICNS and PDF
Can I convert many ICNS files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose PDF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the PDF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .pdf extension. The ICNS file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert PDF back to ICNS?
No, FileFlip doesn’t convert PDF to ICNS.
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