Set Custom Folder Icons in Arc Browser

This guide shows you how to replace the default folder icons in Arc Browser with your own custom images, making your sidebar more personal and easier to scan. You’ll need a square image (PNG or JPG) saved on your computer, and a few minutes to follow the steps below.

What You’ll Need

Arc Browser installed (macOS or Windows)
An image file you want to use as the icon (PNG, JPG, or similar)
Basic file management skills (locating files on your computer)

Step-by-Step

Open Arc Browser and make sure your sidebar is visible. If it’s hidden, click the sidebar icon in the top-left corner or press Cmd/Ctrl + S to toggle it.
Locate the folder you want to customize. Folders appear in the sidebar under “Spaces” or as standalone folders. If you don’t have one yet, create a new folder by clicking the “+” button at the bottom of the sidebar and selecting “New Folder.”
Right-click (or Ctrl-click) on the folder name in the sidebar. A context menu will appear.
Select “Edit Folder…” from the context menu. This opens a small dialog box where you can rename the folder and change its icon.
Click the current icon (the default folder icon) in the dialog. This will open a file picker window.
Navigate to your image file and select it. Click “Open” or “Choose” to apply it. The folder icon in the sidebar will update immediately.
Click “Done” or press Enter to close the dialog and save your changes.

That’s it! Your folder now has a custom icon. Repeat these steps for any other folders you want to personalize.

Common Mistakes

Using a non-square image: Arc will crop or stretch the image to fit the icon space. For best results, use a square image (e.g., 512×512 pixels).
Choosing a file with transparency: PNG files with transparent backgrounds work well, but if the image has a solid background, it will appear as a square block. Consider using a transparent PNG or an image with a rounded shape.
Selecting the wrong folder: Make sure you right-click the exact folder you want to change, not a space or a folder inside a space (unless that’s what you intend).
Forgetting to click “Done”: If you close the dialog by clicking elsewhere, changes may not save. Always click “Done” to confirm.

Tips

Use simple, high-contrast icons: Small icons in the sidebar are easier to recognize when they have bold shapes and contrasting colors.
Keep a consistent style: If you’re customizing multiple folders, try to use icons from the same set or with similar color palettes for a cohesive look.
Use emoji as icons: If you don’t have an image, you can paste an emoji into the folder name field in the Edit Folder dialog. Arc will use the emoji as the icon automatically.
Backup your icons: If you’re using a set of icons, keep them in a dedicated folder so you can reapply them if you reset Arc or switch computers.

Troubleshooting

The icon doesn’t change after selecting the file. Make sure the file is a supported image format (PNG, JPG, GIF, etc.). If it’s a format like SVG or WEBP, convert it to PNG first. Also, ensure the file isn’t corrupted by opening it in a preview app.

The icon appears but looks distorted. This usually happens when the image isn’t square. Crop it to a square aspect ratio using any image editor (even the built-in Preview on Mac or Paint on Windows) before applying it.

The Edit Folder option is grayed out. This can happen if the folder is a system folder or a shared space folder that doesn’t allow customization. Try creating a new folder and see if the option is available.

Changes don’t persist after restarting Arc. This is rare, but if it happens, try restarting your computer. If the issue persists, check if you’re using a work or school profile with restrictions on customizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an image with a transparent background?

Yes, PNG files with transparency work perfectly. Arc will render the transparency, so your icon won’t have a solid background.

What image size is best for folder icons?

A square image around 256×256 or 512×512 pixels is ideal. Larger images will be scaled down, but very small images may appear blurry.

Can I set custom icons for spaces as well?

Yes, the process is the same. Right-click on the space name in the sidebar and select “Edit Space…” to change its icon.

Will my custom icons sync across devices?

Custom folder icons are stored locally in your Arc profile. They will sync if you have Arc Sync enabled and are signed into the same account. However, the images themselves are stored on your device, so you may need to re-upload them on another device if they don’t sync.

Can I use an icon from a website directly?

You can right-click an image on a website and choose “Save Image As…” to download it, then use that file. However, some images may be copyrighted—make sure you have permission to use them.

Is there a way to reset a folder icon to the default?

Yes, open the Edit Folder dialog, click the current icon, and press the “Reset” button (or choose the default folder icon from the file picker). If there’s no reset button, you can delete the folder and recreate it, but that will lose any pinned tabs or bookmarks inside.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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