Dictionary App Icon - macOS 26. Is this now standard in Spotlight?

VikingOSX wrote:

I had this Dictionary icon anomaly until after I updated to Tahoe 26.0.1 and then the expected Dictionary icon appearance returned.

I noticed your post even if no one else did. :) Updating to 26.0.1 may very well fix the issue.

I had this Dictionary icon anomaly until after I updated to Tahoe 26.0.1 and then the expected Dictionary icon appearance returned.

bechard wrote:

Noticed the app icon in Spotlight and Apps (application in the Dock) both display this icon instead of the usual "Aa". However, in Finder/Applications and when I open the Application - the dock icon is still Aa.

I am asking to determine if this is the default behaviour for macOS now. Thanks.

I honestly don't know. The app icon is one of Apple's big redesigns in the xOS operating systems. Apple make a custom tool for developers just to build the new icons. To be honest, the Liquid Glass effects are way too small to be seen in an icon. The only real changes are changes to icon colours for dark mode and a new monochrome mode. Probably the biggest change in the "squircle jail" where Apple actually punishes developers for using well-designed icons instead of the new blotchy squares.

I only tell you all of this to highlight how the app icon is one of the major design changes in macOS Tahoe. So if you're going to see bugs, that's a good place.

And you've definitely found a bug. The icon you are seeing is definitely inside the Dictionary app. It's a file named "AppIconLoc.icns". It's some kind of localized icon. I don't know how it's supposed to work. Apple hasn't documented localized icons. That's obviously new and not yet finished, like the rest of the operating system.

It is possible for an app to draw a custom icon in the dock, but they should only do that when it's really meaningful. For example, I used to do that when my app was run on Ventura and later. That was the last time Apple redesigned the system icons and I wanted my app to look like other app icons in the dock. I also use this feature to draw a progress bar inside the app icon in the dock.

If you were playing around with system languages, you might just need to restart your computer. Years ago, one could change their system language at will. But that's no longer possible. Now you're supposed to restart the computer after changing your language. Otherwise, half the apps will run with the wrong language.

I don't know what Apple's doing here. Maybe it will get fixed if you restart. Maybe not.

No, it's is not normal. Nor should Dictionary & Apps have the same icon.

I would conclude that there is something decidedly non-standard about your icon in Spotlight.

Just for clarity

Dictionary icon in the Dock while running Tahoe 26.01 versus your " Dictionary App Icon - macOS 26.

Note the 0.1 trailing number

If the machine is indeed running the Original Commercially Released Tahoe 26.0

Suggest updating the the current release and then check if this may put thing right

About the security content of macOS Tahoe 26.0.1

Of if you wish

Hold off a bit longer for the Tahoe 26.1 which is still in Beta Testing

Arrive at your own conclusions