File Extension Library


.ICNS File Extension

  • Developer by: Apple
  • Category: System Files
  • Format: Binary

What are .ICNS files and how to open them?

Can't open .ICNS file? Are you wondering what it contains? On our site we will explain to you what this file is, what it is used for and what software opens the .ICNS file.

What is a .ICNS file extension?

.ICNS file extension is created by Apple. .ICNS has been classified as System Files. The format of .ICNS file is Binary.

.ICNS is Mac OS X Icon Resource File

An ICNS file is an icon file used by Mac OS X applications. It stores one or more images, typically which were originally .PNG files and supports 1-bit and 8-bit alpha channels. ICNS files are used for displaying the application icon in the Mac OS X Finder and in the OS X dock.

ICNS file open in Apple Preview 10

ICNS files are generally located within the Contents/Resources/ directory inside the application package. They are also referenced by the application's .PLIST file (Info.plist) using the CFBundleIconFile property.

Mac OS X icon files can be viewed with the Apple Preview program included with Mac OS X. They can also be created using Icon Composer, another utility included with Mac OS X. ICNS files support icon images of 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, 128x128, 256x256, and 512x512 pixels, as well as 1024x1024 pixels as of Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

List of all softwares that can open the Mac OS X Icon Resource File
Windows
Axialis IconWorkshop
Inkscape
XnViewMP
Microsoft File Explorer
Mac
Apple Preview
Iconographer
Folder Icon X
Inkscape
Snap Converter
Adobe Photoshop with IconBuilder for Macintosh plugin
XnViewMP
Linux
Inkscape
XnViewMP

How to fix problems with .ICNS files

  1. You need to update the application that you normally use to open .ICNS files. Only the latest version of the software supports the current .ICNS file format
  2. You need to check the .ICNS file for viruses. To do this, you need to scan it with a popular antivirus (Norton, Nod32, Kaspersky, Dr.Web, etc.)