Image
What is a .icns file?
A .icns file is an Apple Icon Image Format. This is an image format — a picture, drawing or graphic.
How to open a .icns file
- GIMP (free) and IrfanView open a very wide range of image formats, including obsolete ones.
- XnView MP is the best bet for unusual or legacy image types.
- Your operating system's built-in viewer may work for mainstream formats.
The registry records this extension against Apple Icon Image Format, so software from that family is the most likely match.
How to convert a .icns file
- Open it in GIMP or XnView and export as .png (lossless) or .jpg (smaller).
The technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .icns.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Icon Image Format | — | — | fmt/1185 |