Converting stock .png graphics

Updated: December 12, 2009



For whatever reason, the pngs on the iPhone have some additional data in them that prevent the end user from just opening the graphic and editing it. Apple also skews the color channels on the pngs. To be able to modify these pngs, you must use a program that can convert them to a usable state. It's my understanding the pngs are modified like this to make it easier/quicker for the iPhone to process and render. Thanks go out to a reader who informed me of a newer program that does the conversions as it is much easier to use. I will keep the instructions for the original program I wrote about at the end of this tutorial.

Step 1.

If you try to view stock graphic files in the firmware, you'll see they refuse to display.

Step 2.

I found this great program at Mac Update.com that converts the .png into a usable format.

Decompress the download file and you will have an application to click on.




Drag the .png you want to convert into the program. Then click the Start button.




You will be prompted to select a location to save the converted .png to.




The program will let you know when it has finished the conversion. Click OK.




And here it is, a completely editable image. You do not need to do anything fancy to put this graphic back onto the iPhone, other than making sure it stays in .png format.

Old method - Step 1.

If you try to view stock graphic files in the firmware, you'll see they refuse to display.

Old method - Step 2.

I found this great program at the DWBlog that not only converts the .png into a usable format, but also corrects the color skewing. You can download the program here.

When you've decompressed the file you will be left with a folder that looks like this.




Put the .png you want to convert into this folder.

Old method - Step 3.

Go to your Applications/Utilities folder and launch the application called Terminal. Assuming you saved the downloaded program on your desktop, enter the following commands:

cd Desktop/iPhonePNG
./iPhonePNG icon.png (or the name of your .png)

It will decode and convert the .png immediately.




It will place the converted .png into the same folder as your original.




And here it is, a completely editable image. You do not need to do anything fancy to put this graphic back onto the iPhone, other than making sure it stays in .png format.