MacOS – Low-resolution icons displayed in Dock and Launchpad

docklaunchpadmacosresolution

Since about a week I have some icons in the Dock and in the Launchpad (e.g.: AppStore, Mission Control) with low-res icons.

Low-res App Store icon in Dock

However if I start the app (in this case App Store), the correct (high-res) icon is displayed:

High-res App Store icon in Dock if it is running

After quitting the application, the low-res icon will be displayed again.

I have the same symptoms for a handful of apps (mainly Apple applications).

What's the cause of this, and how can this be fixed to ensure high-res icons are shown?

Best Answer

Cheekily adding this as an answer based on a comment above as the commenter didn't include it.

The cause appears to be a mystery, but if you remove the icon from the dock (just drag it away until you get the vanishing smoke animation), and re add the icon (run the app, right click on the dock icon and click Keep, or drag the icon back in from the finder) to get the full resolution icon for any app that is doing this. It's a workaround that doesn't explain the issue, but should be good enough.