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Sachin Motwani
Sachin Motwani

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iOS vs Android: App Icon Guidelines for 2025

Essential guide to designing app icons for both platforms with the latest updates — including iOS Liquid Glass and Android Material You enhancements.

iOS vs Android: App Icon Guidelines for 2025

Designing the perfect app icon now means keeping up with major updates on both platforms. Here’s the essential info — no fluff.

What’s New:

iOS 26
— Liquid Glass Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” style adds translucent, light-responsive effects. Your existing PNGs still work, but .icon files built with Xcode's new Icon Composer unlock:

  • Light, dark, clear, and tinted modes
  • Dynamic highlights and depth
  • Layered SVG/PNG designs
  • Android — Material You Upgrade Adaptive icons now pull colors from user wallpapers. Without a proper monochrome layer, your icon will look dated.

iOS Requirements

  • 1024×1024px PNG, sRGB (P3 optional)
  • No transparency, text, or pre-rounded corners
  • Scales down to 29×29px cleanly
  • Auto “squircle” mask (20% corner radius)

(Optional Liquid Glass)

  • Export layers as PNG/SVG
  • Compile with Xcode 26
  • Extra time for effect tuning

Android Requirements
Adaptive Icons

  • Foreground + background layers (108×108dp each)
  • Safe zone: 66×66dp for key elements
  • PNG or vector

Google Play

  • 512×512px PNG
  • Square shape — Google applies rounding/shadows

Material You

  • Add a monochrome 108×108dp layer for theming
  • Design Principles

iOS — Consistency & clarity Android — Boldness & flexibility

Keep it simple: 2–3 elements, strong contrast, safe zone intact.

Common Mistakes

  1. Cluttered icons 2. Poor contrast for dark/light modes 3. Ignoring safe zones 4. Transparency on iOS or pre-rounded icons on Android 5. Missing enhanced effects when they’d help

Quick Checklist

  • Audit against new rules
  • Make Liquid Glass variants
  • Add Android monochrome layer
  • Test across devices & themes
  • Design for both platforms from the start
  • Check legibility at 29×29px
  • Keep brand consistent
  • Plan seasonal/A/B test variations
  • Press enter or click to view image in full size

Tools:

  • Figma / Sketch / Illustrator — Design
  • Icon Composer — iOS Liquid Glass
  • IconCraft — AI icon generation
  • MakeAppIcon — Batch resizing
  • Bottom line: The best 2025 icons combine clean design, platform-specific optimization, and adaptability for dynamic effects and user themes.

Try Iconcraft — Easiest tool to create high quality app icons

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