Default JPG icon instead of actual picture in Finder on macOS Sequoia 15.6

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Level 1

10 points

Default JPG icon instead of actual picture in Finder on macOS Sequoia 15.6

Why are some of my pictures showing the default jpg icon instead of the actual picture as the icon in Finder? This is happening in both "Icon view" and "Icon and text view". I noticed the difference in files showing the default jpg icon have the file & extension grayed out in the Get Info. Also, the ones that are grayed out do not automatically open with Preview even though it is set as the "Open with: default". See pictures below. The 1st 2 pictures go together showing the icon, the actual picture and the Get Info information. Notice the file name and extension are NOT grayed out. The 2nd 2 pictures show the default icon and the Get Info for that file. Notice the name & extension are grayed out. (Both pictures were Air Dropped from my iPhone.) Can someone tell me how to fix this so that all pictures show up as the icon when I choose icon view? MY OS is Sequoia Version 15.6.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Seeing jpg default icon instead of actual picture as icon in Finder when looking at a file in icon or icon and text view

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Sep 4, 2025 10:32 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

214,236 points

Sep 4, 2025 02:13 PM in response to croftca

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

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Answer 2

croftca Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 4, 2025 04:49 PM in response to Old Toad

Exactly how do I get to the screen you are showing? Why would this make a difference when only some are not showing the pic icon. while others are? The fact that something is greyed out in the ones that do not act as normal tells me it has something to do with that.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

88,666 points

Sep 4, 2025 05:07 PM in response to croftca

I'm not exactly sure why this is happening. But I suspect that it is caused by the way that you are moving the images/photos from your iPhone to the Desktop Folder on your Mac.

What happens when you Import the Photos from your iPhone directly into the Photos App.

Then move copies of them from the Photos App to the Desktop Folder.

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