iOS vs Android Icon Requirements: What You Need to Know

Understanding the differences between iOS and Android icon requirements is crucial for successful app store submissions. This comprehensive guide breaks down the specifications, best practices, and common pitfalls for both platforms.

Platform Overview

iOS: Precision and Consistency
Apple's approach to app icons emphasizes consistency, quality, and adherence to strict guidelines. The iOS ecosystem values:
- Uniform appearance across all apps
- High-quality imagery with no compromises
- Strict compliance with Human Interface Guidelines
- Automatic corner radius application by the system

Android: Flexibility and Adaptation
Google's Android platform offers more flexibility while introducing complexity through adaptive icons:
- Adaptive icon system for dynamic theming
- Multiple format support for different Android versions
- Flexible shapes determined by device manufacturers
- Backward compatibility considerations

Detailed Size Requirements

iOS Icon Specifications

App Store and Device Icons
- App Store Icon: 1024×1024px (PNG, no transparency)
- iPhone App Icon: 60×60pt (120×120px @2x, 180×180px @3x)
- iPad App Icon: 76×76pt (152×152px @2x, 167×167px @2x for iPad Pro)
- Apple Watch: Multiple sizes from 24×24px to 108×108px
- Mac Catalyst: 16×16px to 1024×1024px (various densities)

Settings and Spotlight Icons
- iPhone Settings: 29×29pt (58×58px @2x, 87×87px @3x)
- iPhone Spotlight: 40×40pt (80×80px @2x, 120×120px @3x)
- iPad Settings: 29×29pt (58×58px @2x)
- iPad Spotlight: 40×40pt (80×80px @2x)

Technical Requirements
- Format: PNG only
- Color Space: sRGB or P3
- Transparency: Not allowed
- Compression: Lossless
- Layers: Flattened image only

Android Icon Specifications

Adaptive Icons (Android 8.0+)
- Foreground: 1024×1024px (108×108dp safe area in center)
- Background: 1024×1024px (solid color or simple pattern)
- Full Size: 1024×1024px (combined layers)
- Safe Zone: 66×66dp (center area guaranteed visible)

Legacy Icons (Android 7.1 and below)
- LDPI: 36×36px (0.75x)
- MDPI: 48×48px (1x baseline)
- HDPI: 72×72px (1.5x)
- XHDPI: 96×96px (2x)
- XXHDPI: 144×144px (3x)
- XXXHDPI: 192×192px (4x)

Google Play Store
- High-res Icon: 512×512px (PNG, 32-bit)
- Feature Graphic: 1024×500px (optional but recommended)

Design Guidelines Comparison

iOS Design Principles

Visual Characteristics
- Realistic depth and dimension
- Rich, saturated colors
- Subtle gradients and shadows
- Crisp, clean edges
- No text overlays

Best Practices
```
✅ DO:
- Use the full 1024×1024px canvas
- Create depth with gradients and shadows
- Ensure icon works on all backgrounds
- Test at smallest size (29×29px)
- Follow Apple's design language

❌ DON'T:
- Add transparency or alpha channels
- Use system UI elements
- Include text that becomes unreadable
- Create overly complex designs
- Ignore accessibility guidelines
```

Android Design Principles

Adaptive Icon System
The adaptive icon system consists of two layers:

1. Foreground Layer: Your main icon design
2. Background Layer: Solid color or simple pattern

```xml





```

Material Design Guidelines
- Bold, graphic, intentional
- Consistent with Material Design principles
- Scalable and recognizable
- Works across different shapes and sizes

Platform-Specific Considerations

iOS Specific Requirements

App Store Review Guidelines
- Icons must accurately represent the app's functionality
- No placeholder or generic icons
- Must be original artwork (no copyrighted material)
- Should not include Apple hardware or software elements
- Must be appropriate for all audiences if targeting general audience

Technical Validation
```bash

Validate iOS icons using command line tools
xcrun altool --validate-app -f YourApp.ipa -t ios -u username -p password

Check icon specifications
sips -g pixelWidth -g pixelHeight icon.png
```

Android Specific Requirements

Adaptive Icon Considerations
- Keyline shapes: Circle, square, rounded square, squircle
- Dynamic theming: Icons adapt to user's theme preferences
- Animation support: Foreground can animate independently
- Backward compatibility: Provide legacy icons for older devices

Google Play Console Requirements
- High-resolution icon must be exactly 512×512px
- PNG format with 32-bit color depth
- No transparency in the background
- Must represent the actual app functionality

Common Mistakes and Solutions

iOS Common Issues

1. Using Transparency
- ❌ Problem: Adding alpha channels or transparent backgrounds
- ✅ Solution: Use solid backgrounds or gradients

2. Poor Small-Size Legibility
- ❌ Problem: Complex designs that become unclear at 29×29px
- ✅ Solution: Test at all sizes, simplify if necessary

3. Inconsistent Branding
- ❌ Problem: Icon doesn't match app's visual identity
- ✅ Solution: Maintain consistent color palette and style

Android Common Issues

1. Ignoring Safe Area
- ❌ Problem: Important elements outside the 66×66dp safe zone
- ✅ Solution: Keep critical elements within the safe area

2. Complex Backgrounds
- ❌ Problem: Detailed background layers that conflict with foreground
- ✅ Solution: Use simple, solid colors or subtle patterns

3. Legacy Icon Neglect
- ❌ Problem: Not providing fallback icons for older Android versions
- ✅ Solution: Include complete legacy icon set

Testing and Validation

iOS Testing Checklist
- [ ] Test on all device sizes (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch)
- [ ] Verify appearance on light and dark backgrounds
- [ ] Check App Store Connect validation
- [ ] Test with iOS simulator at various sizes
- [ ] Validate accessibility contrast ratios

Android Testing Checklist
- [ ] Test adaptive icon on different launcher shapes
- [ ] Verify legacy icon appearance on older devices
- [ ] Check Google Play Console validation
- [ ] Test with different Android themes
- [ ] Validate on various screen densities

Automation and Tools

Recommended Tools

Design Tools
- Figma: Free, collaborative design platform
- Sketch: Mac-only, professional design tool
- Adobe Illustrator: Vector-based design for scalability
- Affinity Designer: Cost-effective alternative to Adobe

Generation Tools
- Expo Icon Generator: Automated generation for React Native
- App Icon Generator: Multi-platform icon creation
- Android Asset Studio: Google's official icon generator
- Icon Slate: Mac app for icon generation

Automated Workflow Example
```javascript
// Example automation script
const generateIcons = async (sourceImage) => {
const iosIcons = await generateiOSIcons(sourceImage);
const androidIcons = await generateAndroidIcons(sourceImage);

return {
ios: iosIcons,
android: androidIcons,
validation: await validateIcons(iosIcons, androidIcons)
};
};
```

Conclusion

Success in both app stores requires understanding and respecting each platform's unique requirements. While iOS emphasizes consistency and quality, Android offers flexibility through adaptive icons.

Key takeaways:
- Plan for both platforms from the design phase
- Test extensively on real devices
- Automate generation to ensure consistency
- Stay updated with platform guideline changes

Next Steps

1. Audit your current icons against these guidelines
2. Create platform-specific versions if needed
3. Set up automated testing for future updates
4. Monitor app store feedback for icon-related issues

Ready to create compliant icons for both platforms? Use our [Expo Icon Generator](/) to automatically generate all required sizes and formats.