use sidebar icon (as Downloads) with regular folder or external one

[alfon_sico]

as many of us have the basic macs with 256GB seem usual the we use external disc to save some libraries and folders, as downloads, in a external drive

so I would like add the external folder in finder sidebar and change the default folder icon with the arrow sign

i know where the icns are in resources and i have change the regular icon with information window, however I don’t know how change the sidebar icon

 

[Madonepro]

Right click on the icon, and select 'get info'

 

[gilby101]

Right click on the icon, and select 'get info'

The icon in the sidebar? Not the same as the icon in Get Info or in the main Finder pane.

 

[zevrix]

however I don’t know how change the sidebar icon

Apple killed normal sidebar back in OS X Lion.

Unfortunately, now you can't change Apple's bland sad sidebar icons without 3rd party utilities.

You'll need either TotalFinder or XtraFinder.

Then, after enabling the sidebar color icons option, the sidebar will display the actual real custom icon you apply to your folders.

TotalFinder

TotalFinder adds tabs to your native Finder and more!

totalfinder.binaryage.com

XtraFinder add Tabs, Dual Panel, and numerous features to Mac's native Finder

trankynam.com

 

[gilby101]

You'll need either TotalFinder or XtraFinder.

Are either of these supported for macOS 14? If not, do either of these work with macOS 14?

 

[zevrix]

Are either of these supported for macOS 14? If not, do either of these work with macOS 14?

XtraFinder works on Sonoma for sure. I didn't try TotalFinder yet.

 

[splifingate]

Sorry, but I have all externals listed.

I'm unsure of what you're asking.

 

[zevrix]

Sorry, but I have all externals listed.

I'm unsure of what you're asking.

If I understand correctly, the OP wants to see the REAL icons, including custom icons, not the lame replacement symbols Apple is using since Lion.

The OP was referring to a custom folder icon he'd like to see in the sidebar (which is also impossible without 3rd-party utilities).

For example, that's how real icons look in the sidebar (enabled by XtraFinder). Custom folder icons will also look properly when added to the sidebar:

 

[splifingate]

If I understand correctly, the OP wants to see the REAL icons, including custom icons, not the lame replacement symbols Apple is using since Lion.

The OP was referring to a custom folder icon he'd like to see in the sidebar (which is also impossible without 3rd-party utilities).

For example, that's how real icons look in the sidebar (enabled by XtraFinder). Custom folder icons will also look properly when added to the sidebar:

View attachment 2382413

Ah!

That makes sense.

I predominately focus-upon textual names, and spend little attention to icons, and such

 

[zevrix]

I predominately focus-upon textual names, and spend little attention to icons, and such

Ok I see. Yes, you're lucky in this case.

It indeed depends on the personal visual perception type (or whatever the hell the correct scientific term for this is).

I know some people who didn't even notice that Apple changed the sidebar in Lion and were surprised that it made any difference to me.

On the other hand, there are also tons of users who hated this change and wanted the real icons back. Especially users who created custom icons for various projects - and lost the ability to quickly identify the desired folders in the sidebar by the look of the icon. Fortunately, some 3rd-party utilities appeared to address this (with various degrees of success, stability, and installation complicity).

If Apple actually listened to the users, it would've provided an option to use the real icons in the sidebar. Especially that technically it doesn't even take any effort to implement. (What takes effort is to replace the real icons with their substitutes).

However, Apple has completely ignored countless requests for this option that users have submitted over the years.

 

[gilby101]

XtraFinder works on Sonoma for sure. I didn't try TotalFinder yet.

I gave up on XtraFinder a few years ago. Time to have it running again. Thanks.

 

[Ben J.]

In Finder settings I have "Bens mac" selected to show in the sidebar and use that as the top level with custom icons:

 

[zevrix]

In Finder settings I have "Bens mac" selected to show in the sidebar and use that as the top level with custom icons:

I may misunderstand your approach but the point was to display the real icons in the actual sidebar (instead of the replacement symbols)...

P.S. Every time I see screenshots of Windows File Explorer it reminds me that Windows users actually do have this feature...

 

[Ben J.]

I may misunderstand your approach but the point was to display the real icons in the actual sidebar (instead of the replacement symbols)...

View attachment 2383756

P.S. Every time I see screenshots of Windows File Explorer it reminds me that Windows users actually do have this feature...

I'm sorry. I'll try not to bother you again.

 

[zevrix]

I'm sorry. I'll try not to bother you again.

why? please do as much as you wish. like i mentioned, i wasn't sure if i interpreted your approach correctly.

 

[alfon_sico]

I may misunderstand your approach but the point was to display the real icons in the actual sidebar (instead of the replacement symbols)...

View attachment 2383756

P.S. Every time I see screenshots of Windows File Explorer it reminds me that Windows users actually do have this feature...

My question in deed is now about real icon or new sidebar icons. The question is relate a “download icon” with a folder called “Donwllads” even if the folder is in another unit instead of the “common folder icon” shown for common folders