How to create an Android icon with Android Studio
Follow these steps in order. Each one is something we do on client work.
- Open Image Asset Studio. Right-click res › New › Image Asset.
- Choose Launcher Icons (Adaptive and Legacy). Set foreground and background layers.
- Check the safe zone. Keep key content centred.
- Generate. Android Studio writes mipmap resources.
- Export the Play icon separately. 512 × 512 px, 32-bit PNG.
- Test on devices. Different launcher shapes.
Android icon creator: key rules and context
Steps
- res > New > Image Asset.
- Icon type: Launcher Icons (Adaptive and Legacy).
- Foreground: SVG or PNG; resize to the safe zone.
- Background: colour or image.
- Add monochrome for themed icons.
- Finish to generate mipmap folders.
Play Store icon. Export your master at 512 x 512, 32-bit PNG (specs).
Flutter apps. Use the same assets with a package like flutter_launcher_icons, or replace generated files in the android folder.
Design first. A tool won't fix a weak concept. Read Android app icon design first.
Worked example (hypothetical)
This example is illustrative. The app is made up, and so are any numbers in it.
Imagine ClockIn generates an adaptive icon but forgets the Play Store icon. The listing shows an old icon. We'd export a matching 512 × 512 PNG and upload it in Main store listing.
Icon creator options
| Tool | Output |
|---|---|
| Android Studio Image Asset | Adaptive launcher resources |
| Figma | Vector master |
| Online generators | Quick PNG sets |
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the Play icon. Separate upload.
- Content outside the safe zone. Clipped.
- Raster foreground at low res. Blurry.
- No monochrome layer. Some launchers use themed icons.
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
For Android icon creator, we treat the icon as a conversion asset first. The icon appears in search results, charts, the product page and on the home screen, which makes it one of the highest-leverage assets to test. On iOS, product page optimization can test alternate icons that are included in the app binary.
Checklist
Copy this list into your release notes or ticket and tick each item off before you ship.
- Image Asset used
- Layers set
- Safe zone checked
- Play icon exported
- Tested on devices
Sources
- Android Developers: Adaptive icons (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Android Developers: Google Play icon design specifications (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)
- Play Console Help: Metadata policy (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Apple: App Review Guidelines (accessed 26 October 2026)
Questions
Is Image Asset Studio free?
Yes, part of Android Studio.
SVG or PNG?
SVG/vector for the foreground where possible.
Does it make the Play icon?
Not directly; export 512 px separately.
Works for Flutter?
Yes, or use flutter_launcher_icons.
Can you design the source art?
Yes.
Is the Play Store icon the same file as the launcher icon?
No. Upload a separate 512 × 512 px PNG in Play Console.