Custom icons for any kind of item (e.g., folder, file, app) are displayed in lower quality in the Finder when choosing smaller sizes (i.e., below 32px). I usually set the Finder to display my files in the list view option, which allows us to set the icon size to either small or large (which I assume corresponds to 16px and 32px, respectively). But regardless of choosing the list view or any other option in the Finder, any item that uses a custom icon that is set to 32px or below is displayed in a lower quality. By “lower quality” I’m referring to the icon’s definition in the sense that it is displayed blurrier and less crisp, with white pixels around the edges. The edges seem less crisp and in a few icons there is an overall drop in definition. When inspecting the icons in Preview.app, icon sizes below 32px are indeed of worse quality in the custom icon folder.
This issue occurs regardless of using the “copy-paste” or the “drag .icns” methods through “get info” to assign custom icons (see https://www.lifewire.com/personalize-mac-by-changing-desktop-icons-2260911). This issue occurs regardless of using “macOS’ default system icons” (see http://osxdaily.com/2014/07/27/mac-os-x-system-icons-location/) or any other icons to assign custom icons. This issue appears to occur regardless of using a retina display or not. This issue occurs in macOS Catalina and has been on macOS at least since the previous iteration (macOS Mojave).
The example in this screenshot (https://www.dropbox.com/s/wmsvz9e4xgu5uya/custom_icon_quality.png?dl=1) shows a comparison between the original “Downloads” folder (“Descargas” in Portuguese) and a folder (named “Descargas custom icon) assigned with the “DownloadsFolder.icns” located in the previously mentioned “macOS’ default system icons” folder. The lower part of the image is magnified in order to better see the issue.
I’m assuming this is a macOS bug and not simply something there might be a workaround. I have already submitted a feedback entry to Apple in the hope this issue is addressed.
I presume everyone is getting this issue, right? Does anyone get different results? Has anyone go any answer from Apple?
Thanks for listening!!