Folder Covers: Thumbnails
Photo & Video Icons, Automatic
Only for Mac
Free · In‑App Purchases
See what's inside a folder without opening it.
A photo or video from inside becomes the folder icon, and it updates when files change.
Ever lost time opening folder after folder to find the right one?
Folder Covers turns a photo or video from inside each folder into that folder's icon, so you can tell them apart before you open them.
The folder keeps its familiar shape, and the picture fills it.
FOR PEOPLE WITH A LOT OF MEDIA
• Photographers and video editors with hundreds of shoot folders
• Designers and creators who keep reference images per project
• Anyone who sorts travel albums and family photos into folders
• Anyone who stores lots of videos and images and revisits them often
FEATURES
• Folder icon becomes a photo or video frame from inside the folder
• Apply to subfolders in one go
• Check how many folders will change, and which covers will be used, before applying
• Auto Update: new photos and videos refresh the covers
• Right-click a folder > Services > Add to Folder Covers
• Pause Auto Update per folder, or remove a folder from the list
• Restore the original icons
HOW TO USE
1. Add a folder and choose its path. Subfolders are optional.
2. Check how many folders will change, then click Apply and Save.
PRIVACY
• Only the folders you choose are processed, on your Mac. Original photos and videos are never edited or uploaded.
• No app account, no analytics, no tracking.
* Free to download, with free covers for up to 10 folders. More folders need the Lifetime Access purchase.
Requires macOS 15 or later. Available in English, 한국어, 日本語 and 繁體中文.
more • Folders that generate file thumbnails now show their file thumbnail count on the main screen and in the folder list.
• Added a File Thumbnails total next to the Folder Covers total.
• Counts refresh as soon as thumbnails finish.
1.1.15 20h ago
• You can now apply covers to up to 10 folders for free.
• Folder icons now have an even rim on every side, and the corners follow the folder outline.
• Fixed videos that kept showing "Needs attention" when a thumbnail couldn't be made. A broken file is skipped and the next photo is used.
1.1.14 2d ago
• You are told when a new version is available and encouraged to update.
• You can choose to start automatically when you turn on your Mac, from Settings or the menu bar icon.
You can also pick a quiet start without a window.
• A folder that is moved, deleted or disconnected is no longer reported as an issue.
• The Issues screen no longer freezes when there are many items, and it shows progress and why a button is unavailable.
• Clicking a notification opens the app and takes you straight to the issue.
• Fixed the same problem sending repeated notifications.
• Added an Issues tab that gathers everything that needs fixing in one place.
It shows the cause and numbered steps, and can fix several folders at once.
• Folders locked in Finder can now be unlocked with one click on “Fix automatically”.
• Folder cards show a “Some issues” notice with a button that opens the Issues tab.
• Photo and video thumbnails now show their type and mark files that cannot be read.
• Removed the first-run guide and the purchase confirmation window so adding a folder is faster.
• Error messages now state the cause and what to do next, and empty states are centered.
1.1.13 Oct 31
• A folder that is moved, deleted or disconnected is no longer reported as an issue.
• The Issues screen no longer freezes when there are many items, and it shows progress and why a button is unavailable.
• Clicking a notification opens the app and takes you straight to the issue.
• Fixed the same problem sending repeated notifications.
• Added an Issues tab that gathers everything that needs fixing in one place.
It shows the cause and numbered steps, and can fix several folders at once.
• Folders locked in Finder can now be unlocked with one click on “Fix automatically”.
• Folder cards show a “Some issues” notice with a button that opens the Issues tab.
• Photo and video thumbnails now show their type and mark files that cannot be read.
• Removed the first-run guide and the purchase confirmation window so adding a folder is faster.
• Error messages now state the cause and what to do next, and empty states are centered.
1.1.12 Oct 30
• The Issues screen no longer freezes when there are many items, and it shows progress and why a button is unavailable.
• Clicking a notification opens the app and takes you straight to the issue.
• Fixed the same problem sending repeated notifications.
• Added an Issues tab that gathers everything that needs fixing in one place.
It shows the cause and numbered steps, and can fix several folders at once.
• Folders locked in Finder can now be unlocked with one click on “Fix automatically”.
• Folder cards show a “Some issues” notice with a button that opens the Issues tab.
• Photo and video thumbnails now show their type and mark files that cannot be read.
• Removed the first-run guide and the purchase confirmation window so adding a folder is faster.
• Error messages now state the cause and what to do next, and empty states are centered.
1.1.11 Oct 30
• Fixed videos that showed "Needs Attention" because their thumbnail could not be made.
Broken files are now skipped on their own and the folder uses its next picture.
• Folder icons now sit inside the Finder folder shape,
so they stand out from file thumbnails. You can turn this off in Settings.
• Clicking the attention badge re-checks the folder.
Brief errors from files being moved now clear on their own.
• Counts now appear inside Add Folder. Apply and Save completes registration in one step. Registered folders update automatically; re-enabling updates asks once.
• Fixed newly created parent folders after moving media albums into them.
• Subfolders Only is under Advanced options, with question-mark help. Its selected-folder icon is restored or reapplied whenever the saved option changes.
• Reopening uses one main window.
Folder Covers is now a paid app. A one-time Lifetime Access purchase is required to apply covers; the free allowance is removed. Existing icons stay, and restoring them remains free.
• See a brief count summary after choosing a folder and apply directly. Individual covers open only from Details.
• Add a selected Finder folder from the right-click Services menu.
• Reuse existing covers after moving folders or registering a new parent. Unchanged covers skip decoding and icon writes.
• Optional photo, video and RAW file thumbnails, off by default for each folder. Existing custom icons and media content are preserved.
• Apply to subfolders only to leave the selected folder and its direct files private.
• Removed the dark-mode header separator and improved processing, caching and resource limits.
• Deleted cover sources switch to the next available media; deleted folders are skipped quietly.
• Faster thumbnails. Folders are applied first, then files, and the work adjusts to how busy your Mac is.
• Folder cards show the full path. Click the picture, name or path to open it in Finder.
• If a file or folder thumbnail can't be created, its previous icon stays; if that icon is also broken, the standard macOS icon is restored.
• Fixed automatic updates turning off unexpectedly.
1.1.10 Oct 25
• Fixed videos that showed "Needs Attention" because their thumbnail could not be made.
Broken files are now skipped on their own and the folder uses its next picture.
• Folder icons now sit inside the Finder folder shape,
so they stand out from file thumbnails. You can turn this off in Settings.
• Clicking the attention badge re-checks the folder.
Brief errors from files being moved now clear on their own.
• Counts now appear inside Add Folder. Apply and Save completes registration in one step. Registered folders update automatically; re-enabling updates asks once.
• Fixed newly created parent folders after moving media albums into them.
• Subfolders Only is under Advanced options, with question-mark help. Its selected-folder icon is restored or reapplied whenever the saved option changes.
• Reopening uses one main window.
Folder Covers is now a paid app. A one-time Lifetime Access purchase is required to apply covers; the free allowance is removed. Existing icons stay, and restoring them remains free.
• See a brief count summary after choosing a folder and apply directly. Individual covers open only from Details.
• Add a selected Finder folder from the right-click Services menu.
• Reuse existing covers after moving folders or registering a new parent. Unchanged covers skip decoding and icon writes.
• Optional photo, video and RAW file thumbnails, off by default for each folder. Existing custom icons and media content are preserved.
• Apply to subfolders only to leave the selected folder and its direct files private.
• Removed the dark-mode header separator and improved processing, caching and resource limits.
• Deleted cover sources switch to the next available media; deleted folders are skipped quietly.
• Faster thumbnails. Folders are applied first, then files, and the work adjusts to how busy your Mac is.
• Folder cards show the full path. Click the picture, name or path to open it in Finder.
• If a file or folder thumbnail can't be created, its previous icon stays; if that icon is also broken, the standard macOS icon is restored.
• Fixed automatic updates turning off unexpectedly.
1.1.9 Oct 23
• Folder icons now sit inside the Finder folder shape,
so they stand out from file thumbnails. You can turn this off in Settings.
• Clicking the attention badge re-checks the folder.
Brief errors from files being moved now clear on their own.
• Counts now appear inside Add Folder. Apply and Save completes registration in one step. Registered folders update automatically; re-enabling updates asks once.
• Fixed newly created parent folders after moving media albums into them.
• Subfolders Only is under Advanced options, with question-mark help. Its selected-folder icon is restored or reapplied whenever the saved option changes.
• Reopening uses one main window.
Folder Covers is now a paid app. A one-time Lifetime Access purchase is required to apply covers; the free allowance is removed. Existing icons stay, and restoring them remains free.
• See a brief count summary after choosing a folder and apply directly. Individual covers open only from Details.
• Add a selected Finder folder from the right-click Services menu.
• Reuse existing covers after moving folders or registering a new parent. Unchanged covers skip decoding and icon writes.
• Optional photo, video and RAW file thumbnails, off by default for each folder. Existing custom icons and media content are preserved.
• Apply to subfolders only to leave the selected folder and its direct files private.
• Removed the dark-mode header separator and improved processing, caching and resource limits.
• Deleted cover sources switch to the next available media; deleted folders are skipped quietly.
• Faster thumbnails. Folders are applied first, then files, and the work adjusts to how busy your Mac is.
• Folder cards show the full path. Click the picture, name or path to open it in Finder.
• If a file or folder thumbnail can't be created, its previous icon stays; if that icon is also broken, the standard macOS icon is restored.
• Fixed automatic updates turning off unexpectedly.
1.1.8 Oct 20
• Counts now appear inside Add Folder. Apply and Save completes registration in one step. Registered folders update automatically; re-enabling updates asks once.
• Fixed newly created parent folders after moving media albums into them.
• Subfolders Only is under Advanced options, with question-mark help. Its selected-folder icon is restored or reapplied whenever the saved option changes.
• Reopening uses one main window.
Folder Covers is now a paid app. A one-time Lifetime Access purchase is required to apply covers; the free allowance is removed. Existing icons stay, and restoring them remains free.
• See a brief count summary after choosing a folder and apply directly. Individual covers open only from Details.
• Add a selected Finder folder from the right-click Services menu.
• Reuse existing covers after moving folders or registering a new parent. Unchanged covers skip decoding and icon writes.
• Optional photo, video and RAW file thumbnails, off by default for each folder. Existing custom icons and media content are preserved.
• Apply to subfolders only to leave the selected folder and its direct files private.
• Removed the dark-mode header separator and improved processing, caching and resource limits.
• Deleted cover sources switch to the next available media; deleted folders are skipped quietly.
• Faster thumbnails. Folders are applied first, then files, and the work adjusts to how busy your Mac is.
• Folder cards show the full path. Click the picture, name or path to open it in Finder.
• If a file or folder thumbnail can't be created, its previous icon stays; if that icon is also broken, the standard macOS icon is restored.
• Fixed automatic updates turning off unexpectedly.
1.1.7 Oct 14
• Counts now appear inside Add Folder. Apply and Save completes registration in one step. Registered folders update automatically; re-enabling updates asks once.
• Fixed newly created parent folders after moving media albums into them.
• Subfolders Only is under Advanced options, with question-mark help. Its selected-folder icon is restored or reapplied whenever the saved option changes.
• Reopening uses one main window.
Folder Covers is now a paid app. A one-time Lifetime Access purchase is required to apply covers; the free allowance is removed. Existing icons stay, and restoring them remains free.
• See a brief count summary after choosing a folder and apply directly. Individual covers open only from Details.
• Add a selected Finder folder from the right-click Services menu.
• Reuse existing covers after moving folders or registering a new parent. Unchanged covers skip decoding and icon writes.
• Optional photo, video and RAW file thumbnails, off by default for each folder. Existing custom icons and media content are preserved.
• Apply to subfolders only to leave the selected folder and its direct files private.
• Removed the dark-mode header separator and improved processing, caching and resource limits.
• Deleted cover sources switch to the next available media; deleted folders are skipped quietly.
• Faster thumbnails. Folders are applied first, then files, and the work adjusts to how busy your Mac is.
• Folder cards show the full path. Click the picture, name or path to open it in Finder.
• If a file or folder thumbnail can't be created, its previous icon stays; if that icon is also broken, the standard macOS icon is restored.
• Fixed automatic updates turning off unexpectedly.
1.1.6 Oct 13
• Fixed automatic updates when photos or videos are added to an initially empty folder.
• Empty media folders now return to the default Finder icon.
• Catch up with changes made while the app or automatic updates were off.
• Improved handling of file copies, deleted paths and incomplete media. An error in one folder no longer stops monitoring other folders.
• Selecting a folder applies available covers immediately, with faster image processing and bounded thumbnail workers.
• Automatic removal of stale icons remains available after the free trial is used.
• Simplified onboarding and improved folder registration and screenshot presentation.
1.1.5 Oct 2
• Adding a parent folder now merges all registered subfolders. A confirmation can be disabled and restored in Settings.
• Placed Automatic Updates below the Selected Folders heading and merged duplicate settings into one control.
• Unified labels across folders, settings, onboarding and the menu.
• Clarified folder removal and cover selection rules.
• Fixed automatic updates remaining stuck on Applying.
• Faster image cover generation and fewer unnecessary updates.
• Add, edit or remove folders while covers are being applied.
• Browse for a folder or enter and edit its path or local file URL. Invalid and overlapping locations are checked before saving.
• New folders include subfolders by default. Turn this off to apply only to the selected folder.
• Improved settings restoration and startup loading.
• Click the monitoring status to pause or resume a folder. Resuming immediately rescans it.
1.1.4 Sep 30
• Adding a parent folder now merges all registered subfolders. A confirmation can be disabled and restored in Settings.
• Placed Automatic Updates below the Selected Folders heading and merged duplicate settings into one control.
• Unified labels across folders, settings, onboarding and the menu.
• Clarified folder removal and cover selection rules.
• Fixed automatic updates remaining stuck on Applying.
• Faster image cover generation and fewer unnecessary updates.
• Add, edit or remove folders while covers are being applied.
• Browse for a folder or enter and edit its path or local file URL. Invalid and overlapping locations are checked before saving.
• New folders include subfolders by default. Turn this off to apply only to the selected folder.
• Improved settings restoration and startup loading.
• Click the monitoring status to pause or resume a folder. Resuming immediately rescans it.
1.1.3 Sep 24
• Create folder covers from macOS-supported camera RAW images, including compatible CR2, NEF, ARW and DNG files. Camera/model support depends on your macOS version. Original files stay unchanged.
• Add, edit and remove selected folders with visible buttons. Choose this folder only or include subfolders; automatic updates follow the saved scope.
• Try exactly 20 folders, including subfolders, with manual application and automatic updates.
• After the trial, unlock unlimited folders with Lifetime Access.
• Reset settings and restart onboarding while keeping purchases and folder history.
• Previously verified access opens immediately, works offline and checks periodically in the background.
• Purchase restoration now shows an outcome. Verification errors offer Verify Again, Contact Support and Purchase Access.
• Updated store screenshots and automatic media-folder descriptions.
• Change the app language instantly in Settings, without restarting.
1.1.2 Sep 19
• Create folder covers from macOS-supported camera RAW images, including compatible CR2, NEF, ARW and DNG files. Camera/model support depends on your macOS version. Original files stay unchanged.
• Add, edit and remove selected folders with visible buttons. Choose this folder only or include subfolders; automatic updates follow the saved scope.
• Try exactly 20 folders, including subfolders, with manual application and automatic updates.
• After the trial, unlock unlimited folders with Lifetime Access.
• Reset settings and restart onboarding while keeping purchases and folder history.
• Previously verified access opens immediately, works offline and checks periodically in the background.
• Purchase restoration now shows an outcome. Verification errors offer Verify Again, Contact Support and Purchase Access.
• Updated store screenshots and automatic media-folder descriptions.
• Change the app language instantly in Settings, without restarting.
1.1.1 Sep 17
A clearer folder gallery, image previews before applying, and activity history with the actual applied image.
• Try one selected folder itself for free, without changing its subfolders.
• Unlock batch application and automatic updates with a one-time Lifetime Access purchase.
• Restore purchases or redeem Apple offer codes from the Lifetime Access window.
• Earlier App Store purchasers retain lifetime access.
• Original icon restoration remains free.
1.1.0 Sep 15
• Work only in specific folders you select; whole-disk and volume-root processing is disabled.
• Existing volume entries can still be restored or removed.
• Pausing or removing a folder during cover generation is now respected.
• Monitoring preferences are preserved when a cover finishes generating.
1.0.2 Sep 6
• Full scans now take priority, and file changes wait safely until scanning finishes.
• Protected folders no longer stop the rest of a scan; access can be retried separately.
• A new onboarding flow makes adding the first location easier.
• Optional important notifications cover scan completion, permissions, and interruptions.
• Clearer controls, sharper Store visuals, and reliability improvements throughout.
1.0.1 Jul 29
• Folders that generate file thumbnails now show their file thumbnail count on the main screen and in the folder list.
• Added a File Thumbnails total next to the Folder Covers total.
• Counts refresh as soon as thumbnails finish.
more Version 1.1.15 20h ago
Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app.