How to design an Android app icon
Follow these steps in order. Each one is something we do on client work.
- Design the adaptive icon. Separate foreground and background layers so launchers can mask them.
- Keep the symbol centred. Leave a safe margin for different mask shapes.
- Export the Play icon. 512 × 512 px, 32-bit PNG, up to 1,024 KB.
- Avoid badges. No ranking text or fake notification dots (metadata policy).
- Test on launchers. Circle, squircle and rounded square.
- Match the in-app icon to the store icon. Users expect the same symbol.
Android app icon design: key rules and context
Play Store icon
512 x 512, 32-bit PNG with alpha, max 1 MB. Google applies the mask and shadow; don't add them (specs).
Adaptive icons. Foreground and background layers, each 108 x 108 dp; the system masks to circles, squircles and more. Keep the logo inside 66dp (Android: adaptive icons).
Themed icons. Provide a monochrome layer so Android 13+ can tint your icon to the user's wallpaper.
Tools and testing. Android Studio's Image Asset tool builds the layers: Android icon creator. Test with store listing experiments.
Worked example (hypothetical)
This example is illustrative. The app is made up, and so are any numbers in it.
Say Habitly places its checkmark close to the edge. On circular launchers it gets clipped. We'd scale the foreground to sit within the safe zone and add a solid colour background layer.
Common mistakes
- Content near edges. Gets masked.
- Text in icons. Unreadable.
- Different store and launcher icons. Confusing.
- Misleading symbols. Policy issue.
If you want this handled for you, our pricing page lists every fixed package.
Icon specs for both stores
Design once at high resolution, then export to each store's rules.
| Store | Size | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| App Store | 1024 × 1024 px master | Layered icon; the system applies the mask, so don't bake in rounded corners |
| Google Play | 512 × 512 px | 32-bit PNG with alpha, max 1,024 KB |
| Google Play policy | — | No badges, ranking text or misleading symbols (e.g. fake notification dots) |
| App Store policy (2.3.8) | — | Icons must suit a 4+ audience even if the app is rated higher |
How we measure the result
The icon shows up everywhere: search results, charts, the product page and the home screen. That makes it one of the highest-leverage things to test. On iOS, product page optimization can test alternate icons included in the app binary; on Google Play, store listing experiments can test graphics, including the icon. We judge icons on conversion data from those tests, not on team votes. We also check the icon after launch in real search results next to competitors, because that's the context users actually see.
Checklist
Copy this list into your release notes or ticket and tick each item off before you ship.
- Adaptive layers
- Safe-zone content
- 512 px Play export
- No badges
- Tested on launchers
Sources
- Android Developers: Google Play icon design specifications (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Android Developers: Adaptive icons (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Play Console Help: Metadata policy (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Apple Human Interface Guidelines: App icons (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Play Console Help: Add preview assets to showcase your app (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Apple: App Review Guidelines (accessed 26 October 2026)
Questions
What size is the Play Store icon?
512 x 512 px.
What is the safe zone?
The central 66dp of the 108dp canvas.
Do I need a monochrome icon?
Recommended for themed icons.
Can the Play icon differ from the launcher icon?
They should match closely.
Can you design it?
Yes.
What is an adaptive icon?
An Android icon made of foreground and background layers that launchers mask into different shapes.