Bring Back Color iTunes Icons in OS X Lion

Yes, you can bring back the colorful iTunes icons in OS X Lion, but not through a simple setting. Apple replaced the classic multi-hued icon with a flat, blue music note design starting with iTunes 10.5, and the change was locked into the app itself. To restore the older look, you need to manually replace the icon file inside the iTunes application package, a process that still works on Lion and later versions of macOS.

Why Apple Changed the Icon

The shift from the glossy, colorful icon to a flat blue note was part of a broader design language Apple introduced around 2012. The original iTunes icon featured a CD with a musical note and a vibrant blue gradient, which matched the Aqua aesthetic of Mac OS X. When Apple moved toward a more minimalist look with OS X Lion and the upcoming iOS 7, it simplified app icons across its ecosystem. The change was controversial among long-time users, many of whom preferred the older, more detailed artwork.

It is worth noting that the icon change was not a bug or a user setting. It was a deliberate redesign by Apple, so there is no checkbox in System Preferences or iTunes preferences to revert it. The only way to restore the old icon is to modify the application bundle manually.

How the Icon Replacement Works

On macOS, every application bundle contains a file called Icon.icns inside its Contents/Resources folder. The Finder reads this file to display the app’s icon in the Dock, Launchpad, and Finder windows. By replacing that file with one containing the old artwork, you can change the icon that appears for iTunes.

However, macOS has a security feature called code signing. When you modify an application, the signature becomes invalid, which can cause Gatekeeper to block the app from launching. To work around this, you must re-sign the app after making changes, or temporarily disable Gatekeeper. For OS X Lion, Gatekeeper was introduced in Mountain Lion (10.8), so on Lion itself, you may not need to re-sign, but it is still a good practice to do so for compatibility with later systems.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restore the Icon

1. Back up the original icon: Before making any changes, copy the current Icon.icns file from iTunes to a safe location, so you can restore it later if needed.
2. Download the old icon: You need to obtain a copy of the classic iTunes icon. This can be found on fan sites or by extracting it from an older version of iTunes (pre-10.5). Be cautious about downloading from untrusted sources, as some may contain malware.
3. Replace the icon file: Right-click on iTunes in the Applications folder, select “Show Package Contents,” then navigate to Contents/Resources. Replace the existing Icon.icns with the old one you downloaded.
4. Re-sign the app (if needed): Open Terminal and run the command codesign -f -s - /Applications/iTunes.app to re-sign the application with an ad-hoc signature. This step is necessary on newer macOS versions to allow the app to run.
5. Clear the icon cache: The Finder may cache the old icon. You can clear the cache by logging out and back in, or by running killall Finder in Terminal.

What to Do If the App Won’t Launch

If iTunes fails to open after the modification, it is usually because the code signature is invalid. Follow these troubleshooting steps:

• Re-sign the app again using the command above, ensuring you have the correct path.
• Check if Gatekeeper is blocking it: Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and allow apps from anywhere, or right-click the app and select “Open” to bypass the check.
• If the problem persists, restore the original Icon.icns file from your backup and re-sign again.
• On OS X Lion, you may not need to re-sign, but if you are on a later version, this step is critical.

Alternatives to Manual Replacement

If you are not comfortable modifying system files, there are alternative approaches:

• Use a custom icon: You can create your own icon using an image editing tool and set it via the “Get Info” window. This does not modify the app bundle and is safer.
• Use a third-party app: Some utilities allow you to change app icons without altering the bundle, but they may require disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) on modern macOS.
• Live with the new icon: The blue note icon is not going away, and Apple will likely continue to use it in future versions of macOS.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that you can simply drag an old icon onto the app in the Get Info window and it will stick. This method works for folders and some apps, but iTunes is code-signed and will revert the icon on the next launch. Another misconception is that the icon change is a system setting that can be toggled. As mentioned, it is not.

Another myth is that the old icon is still present in the system and can be enabled with a terminal command. While the icon file may exist in older backups, it is not part of the current system files.

Safety and Security Considerations

Modifying application bundles can compromise the integrity of the app and potentially expose your system to security risks. The code signature is there to ensure the app has not been tampered with. By re-signing with an ad-hoc signature, you are telling the system that you trust the modified version, but this also means that if the app were compromised, the system would not detect it. Only download icon files from reputable sources, and always keep a backup of the original app.

If you are using a newer version of macOS, you may need to disable System Integrity Protection (SIP) to modify files in the Applications folder. This is not recommended for everyday use, as it weakens the security of your system. Instead, consider using a virtual machine or an older Mac for the nostalgic look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work on macOS Mojave or Big Sur?

The process is similar, but you will need to re-sign the app and may need to disable SIP. However, iTunes was replaced by separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps in Catalina, so the icon for the Music app is what you would need to modify. The same technique applies.

Can I just change the icon in the Get Info window?

Yes, you can paste an image into the Get Info window, but the app will revert to its default icon after a relaunch because of code signing. To make it permanent, you must modify the bundle.

Is it legal to modify the icon?

Modifying the icon for personal use is generally considered legal, but redistributing the modified app or the icon file could infringe on Apple’s copyright. It is best to keep it for personal use only.

Will this break iTunes updates?

When you update iTunes, the update will replace the icon with the new one, so you will need to repeat the process after each update. You can prevent updates by disabling automatic updates for iTunes in System Preferences.

What if I don’t want to use Terminal?

There are graphical tools that can re-sign apps, but they are often less reliable. If you are not comfortable with Terminal, it may be safer to use the Get Info method and accept that the icon will revert.

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