Six New Ways to Personalize the Look of Your Mac in MacOS Tahoe
Until now, macOS hasn’t been as rich in themes and customizations as we’d like, but that all changes with the new version. In macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple has added numerous ways to customize the appearance of your Mac desktop, app icons, and menu bar, among other things. And it’s not just about changing the look of Liquid Glass . If you love themes and customizations, try these tips.
Customizing application icons in the Dock
Your Mac’s Dock is likely full of colorful icons. I’ve always loved the variety of colors, but some might prefer something more uniform. If you prefer a specific hue or just want app icons to use Dark Mode, it’s easy to change. Click the Apple logo in the upper left corner of your Mac screen and go to System Preferences > Appearance > Icon & Widget Style . Here, you can change the app icon color to Dark, Transparent, or Colored. The Colored option lets you choose a single hue for all app icons, so choose the color you like best.
Customize the clock on your Mac’s lock screen
After updating to macOS Tahoe, you’ll likely notice a new clock on your lock screen. You can also customize it to your liking. Simply go to System Preferences > Wallpaper > Clock Appearance . You can choose from six clock styles. Don’t forget to adjust the slider under Saturation to change the font, making the clock more subtle or more prominent.
Customize Control Center
With the release of iOS 18 in 2024, Apple allowed you to customize Control Center on your iPhone . This year, this feature finally came to the Mac, starting with macOS Tahoe. To use it, simply click the Control Center button in the menu bar at the top of your Mac screen and select Edit Controls . There are many controls to choose from, so take your time and add what you need. You can drag any control to move it, or you can click the – (minus) button next to any control to remove it from Control Center. You can also customize your Control Center in System Preferences > Menu Bar > Menu Bar Controls .
Add a background to the Mac menu bar
One of the most controversial changes in macOS Tahoe is the replacement of the menu bar with a transparent one. The transparent color can sometimes make text difficult to read, but if you don’t like it, you can restore the menu bar background. This feature is located in System Preferences > Menu Bar > Show Menu Bar Background .
Change the color of a folder icon on a Mac
If you’re tired of the default blue folder icon color, macOS Tahoe lets you customize it to suit your style. Go to System Preferences > Appearance > Folder Color and use the drop-down menu to change the folder icon color. I never thought I’d use orange folder icons, but I guess we all have tangerine season at some point in our lives.
Change your Mac theme in Settings
macOS Tahoe also gives you limited control over your Mac’s theme. If you go to System Preferences > Appearance > Theme and choose a color, you’ll notice that this color is also applied to the cursor in writing apps and to the color of selected menu items. On the same menu page, you can choose a different color for selected text, which is a nice extra level of customization. This ensures that even if I choose a particularly vibrant color for the overall theme, I can still choose a more subdued color for selected text. This helps me focus while working, which I really appreciate.