Convert ICNS to PNG on Mac
Select the ICNS files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose PNG and press Return. FileFlip saves each PNG next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert ICNS to PNG 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 “PNG” to jump to it.
Choose PNG and press Return
The PNG files appear next to the originals with the same names. The ICNS files stay as they are.
ICNS and PNG
The icon format of macOS. One ICNS file holds the same icon at several sizes, up to 1024 × 1024 pixels. PNG keeps every pixel and supports transparency, which is what you want for screenshots, graphics and further editing.
What changes when you convert
- Both formats are lossless, so the image itself doesn’t change. Only file size and compatibility do.
| Property | ICNS | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Apple Icon Image | Portable Network Graphics |
| Made by | Apple | PNG Development Group |
| Compression | Usually PNG inside | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Mac app, folder and file icons | Screenshots, logos, graphics and images with text or transparency |
| Opens in | macOS; rarely anything else | Everywhere, including every web browser |
| File extension | .icns | .png |
| 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 PNG 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 png icon.icns \
--out icon.pngBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about ICNS and PNG
Does converting ICNS to PNG 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 PNG. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the PNG file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .png extension. The ICNS file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert PNG back to ICNS?
Yes, FileFlip converts PNG 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