Convert NEF to ICNS on Mac
Select the NEF 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 NEF to ICNS with FileFlip
Select the NEF 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 NEF. Type “ICNS” to jump to it.
Choose ICNS and press Return
The ICNS files appear next to the originals with the same names. The NEF files stay as they are.
NEF and ICNS
Raw files are large and most apps and websites can’t show them, so they have to be developed into a regular image before sharing. ICNS is what macOS uses for app and folder icons.
What changes when you convert
- A raw file is unprocessed sensor data. Converting develops it into a finished image, so keep the NEF if you may want to edit it later.
- ICNS holds icon sizes up to 1024 × 1024 pixels, so a square source image of at least that size works best.
| Property | NEF | ICNS |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nikon Electronic Format | Apple Icon Image |
| Made by | Nikon | Apple |
| Compression | Unprocessed sensor data, lossless or lightly compressed | Usually PNG inside |
| Best for | Editing photos with the most room for adjustments | Mac app, folder and file icons |
| Opens in | Raw editors such as Lightroom, plus Photos and Preview when macOS supports the camera model | macOS; rarely anything else |
| File extension | .nef | .icns |
| In FileFlip | Opens | 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 NEF 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.
Works when macOS supports your camera model.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format icns DSC_0001.nef \
--out DSC_0001.icnsBuilt into macOS. Use a square image; run sips --formats to check what your macOS version supports.
Questions about NEF and ICNS
Can I convert many NEF 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.
Should I keep the NEF file?
Yes. The raw file holds more information than any finished image, so keep it if you may want to edit the photo again.
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 NEF file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert ICNS back to NEF?
No. FileFlip opens NEF files but doesn’t save them.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole shoot at once
FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac