Linux desktop environments offer unmatched flexibility in customization. One way to give it a sleek, polished feel is by using macOS-inspired icon themes. These sets help recreate that elegant Apple-like appearance—right on your Linux machine.
Here are 5 icon themes that bring the macOS look to life, each with its own design touches and system compatibility.
1. WhiteSur Icon Theme
- Author: VINCELIUICE
- Best for: GNOME, KDE, XFCE
- Style: macOS Big Sur replica
- Variants: 7 Color variants
- Download: WhiteSur on Pling
A complete and faithful macOS Big Sur icon pack. Highly polished and actively maintained.
2. Mkos-Big-Sur
- Author: ZAYRONXIO
- Best for: GNOME and XFCE users
- Style: Flat and colorful macOS style
- Variant: 1 Variant
- Download: Mkos-Big-Sur on Pling
Bright and lively interpretation of macOS Big Sur. Lightweight and vibrant.
3. La Capitaine
- Author: KROURKE
- Best for: GNOME, Cinnamon, XFCE
- Style: macOS-inspired with a twist
- Variant: 1 Varian with 11 different version
- Download: La Capitaine on Pling
One of the most refined icon sets in the open-source world—Apple feel with personality.
4. Cupertino Icons
- Author: UMAYANGA
- Best for: iMac/macOS lovers
- Style: Pure macOS clone
- Variants: 4 Variants
- Download: Cupertino Icons
Ideal if you want your Linux setup to be indistinguishable from macOS.
5. Big Sur Icon Theme
- Author: YEYUSHENGFAN258
- Best for: GNOME Shell and Unity
- Style: Big Sur + GNOME fusion
- Variant: 2 Color Variant
- Download: Big Sur Icon on Pling
Combines macOS visuals with Linux-friendly adjustments. Simple and effective.
How to Install Icon Themes from Pling Store
Most themes on Pling Store come in compressed archives (.zip or .tar.xz). Here's a general way to install them:
- Download the icon theme archive from the Pling link.
- Extract it using your file manager or terminal.
- Move the extracted folder to one of these locations:
~/.icons(for single user)/usr/share/icons(for system-wide, requires sudo)
- Use your system’s appearance settings or a tool like GNOME Tweaks or KDE System Settings to apply the new theme.
Need a quick terminal command? Here's one:
mkdir -p ~/.icons
mv [extracted-folder-name] ~/.icons/That’s it! Enjoy your new look.
Or check the product's description if the above method doesn’t work.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a fan of Apple aesthetics or just want a fresh, unified look, these icon themes give your Linux desktop that signature macOS vibe. They pair beautifully with matching GTK themes like WhiteSur or Big Sur GTK for maximum effect.
From detailed iconography to elegant folder styles, these themes offer a wide range of customization for both lightweight and full-featured desktop environments.
Already tried one of them? Share your experience in the comments and help others discover their next favorite setup!
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