Convert JPEG to ICNS on Mac
Select the JPEG files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose ICNS and press Return. FileFlip saves each ICNS next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert JPEG to ICNS with FileFlip
Select the JPEG 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 JPEG. Type “ICNS” to jump to it.
Choose ICNS and press Return
The ICNS files appear next to the originals with the same names. The JPEG files stay as they are.
JPEG and ICNS
JPEG is lossy and has no transparency, so it’s a poor fit for graphics, screenshots or files you’ll keep editing. ICNS is what macOS uses for app and folder icons.
What changes when you convert
- ICNS is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that JPEG compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
- ICNS holds icon sizes up to 1024 × 1024 pixels, so a square source image of at least that size works best.
| Property | JPEG | ICNS |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joint Photographic Experts Group | Apple Icon Image |
| Made by | Joint Photographic Experts Group | Apple |
| Compression | Lossy | Usually PNG inside |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| Best for | Photos you want to send, upload or print anywhere | Mac app, folder and file icons |
| Opens in | Every computer, phone, browser and photo app | macOS; rarely anything else |
| File extension | .jpg, .jpeg | .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 JPEG in Preview, choose File → Export, pick ICNS from the Format menu and click Save. If ICNS 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 icns photo.jpg \
--out photo.icnsBuilt into macOS. Use a square image; run sips --formats to check what your macOS version supports.
Questions about JPEG and ICNS
Does converting JPEG to ICNS lose quality?
ICNS is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that JPEG compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
Can I convert many JPEG files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose ICNS. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
What size should the source image be?
Square, and ideally 1024 × 1024 pixels, the largest size an ICNS file holds.
Where is the ICNS file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .icns extension. The JPEG file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert ICNS back to JPEG?
Yes, FileFlip converts ICNS to JPEG 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