Games icon MacBook: How to add and customize game shortcuts

MacBooks are not just for productivity and creative work; they’re also powerful enough to support a wide range of games. Many users find it helpful to keep their favorite games easily accessible by adding a games icon on their MacBook. While MacOS is designed with a clean interface, it may not be immediately clear how to organize and create game shortcuts on the desktop or dock.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to add, organize, and customize a games icon MacBook, making it easy to launch games with just a click.

Why add a games icon MacBook?

Having a dedicated games icon MacBook provides quicker access to your favorite titles and makes it easy to launch them without going through folders or using search. Whether you’re playing popular titles through services like Steam or enjoying Mac-native games, adding a games icon can help streamline your gaming experience on a MacBook.

A well-organized desktop or dock can also make the MacOS experience more efficient, especially if gaming is a regular part of your routine. Adding a games icon MacBook is a great way to keep your system clean, organized, and game-ready.

How to add a games icon to the dock on a MacBook

The dock is one of the most convenient places to add shortcuts to your favorite apps, including games. To add a games icon MacBook for easy access to a game directly from the dock, follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate the game in Finder

Before you can add the game to the dock, you need to locate its application file. To do this:

1. Open Finder.
2. Go to the Applications folder.
3. Find the game you want to add to the dock.

If you’re using a game from Steam or another gaming platform, make sure the game is installed and the application file is present in the Applications folder.

Step 2: Add the game to the dock

Once you’ve located the game in Finder:

1. Click and drag the game’s icon from the Applications folder to the dock.
2. Release the icon in the dock, and it will automatically stay there.

This creates a games icon MacBook for that specific game, which can now be launched directly from the dock with one click.

Step 3: Organize the dock

You can move the new game’s icon along the dock to position it wherever it’s most convenient. For example, some users prefer keeping all their game icons together on one side of the dock, separate from productivity apps. Simply click and drag the icons to reorganize.

How to add a games folder to the dock on a MacBook

For gamers with multiple titles installed, it might be more efficient to add a games folder to the dock rather than individual icons for each game. This keeps your dock clutter-free while still providing easy access to all your games.

Step 1: Create a games folder

1. Open Finder.
2. Right-click on an empty space in the Applications or Documents folder.
3. Select New Folder and name it “Games.”

Step 2: Move game shortcuts into the games folder

To add game shortcuts to the new folder:

1. Drag the game applications from the Applications folder into your new Games folder. Make sure to copy the app instead of moving it to avoid accidentally uninstalling it.
2. You can also create aliases (shortcuts) of the games by right-clicking the app and selecting Make Alias, then dragging the alias into the folder.

Step 3: Add the games folder to the dock

Now that your games are organized into a single folder:

1. Drag the Games folder from Finder to the right-hand side of the dock (next to the trash bin).
2. Release the folder, and it will appear as a games icon on the MacBook in the dock.

Clicking on this icon will open a folder menu with all your games, making it easy to launch whichever game you want to play without cluttering the dock.

Customizing the games icon MacBook

To make your game’s icon on a MacBook more visually appealing, you can customize the folder or app icons. Custom icons give your desktop a personal touch and can make it easier to differentiate between your games and other apps.

Step 1: Download a custom icon

There are many websites that offer free icons that you can use for games or folders. Simply search for game-related icons or general icon packs that fit your style. Some popular sites for downloading icons include:

• Flaticon
• IconArchive
• DeviantArt

Download the icon you like and save it to your desktop.

Step 2: Apply the custom icon to your game or folder

Once you’ve chosen your custom icon:

1. Open Finder and navigate to your Games folder or game application.
2. Right-click the folder or game and select Get Info.
3. Open the custom icon image file that you downloaded.
4. Copy the image (Command + C).
5. In the Get Info window for the folder or game, click the small folder or app icon in the top-left corner and paste the image (Command + V).

Now, your game’s icon on MacBook will display the custom image instead of the default folder or app icon.

Using third-party apps to manage game icons

For users who want a more advanced organization or prefer a more customized experience, third-party apps can help manage game icons and improve the overall gaming setup on MacBook.

1. Alfred

Alfred is a powerful productivity app that allows users to create custom workflows for launching applications, including games. With Alfred, you can create a specific gaming workflow that launches multiple apps at once, organizes your game icons, and offers quick access via hotkeys.

2. RocketDock

For users who want a more advanced customization of their dock, RocketDock allows for adding and managing shortcuts, including game icons. With RocketDock, you can create a separate dock for games or simply modify your existing dock to make accessing games more efficient.

How to remove a games icon on a MacBook

If you ever want to remove a game icon on your MacBook from the dock, it’s easy to do without uninstalling the game:

1. Click and drag the game or folder icon out of the dock.
2. Once the icon turns into a Remove symbol (trash bin or X icon), release it.
3. The icon will be removed from the dock, but the game will still remain installed on your MacBook.

Final thoughts

Adding a games icon on a MacBook is a simple and effective way to streamline your gaming experience. Whether you’re adding individual game icons, organizing them into a folder, or customizing icons for a more personalized look, these tips make it easy to launch your favorite games quickly. With a well-organized dock and desktop, gaming on a MacBook becomes more efficient, allowing you to focus on what really matters—enjoying your games.