A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of design requirements, technical specifications, and best practices for creating effective app icons across both major mobile platforms.
iOS automatically applies rounded corners
Icons must have solid backgrounds
iOS adds a slight drop shadow and glossy finish
App Store submission requires this size
Aligns with Apple's design language
Separate foreground and background layers
Circle, squircle, rounded square, etc.
Background layer should be opaque
Google Play Store submission requires this size
Shadows and depth according to Material principles
Understanding these platform-specific requirements is essential for creating effective cross-platform apps.
iOS
Single layer design with system-applied visual effects
Android
Adaptive icons with separate foreground and background layers
iOS
Fixed rounded square shape applied by iOS
Android
Various shape masks depending on device manufacturer/user settings
iOS
No transparency allowed, solid backgrounds required
Android
Transparency allowed in foreground layer only
iOS
Flat design, SF Symbols, consistent with Apple Human Interface Guidelines
Android
Material Design language with guidelines for shadows, depth, and motion
iOS
1024×1024px for App Store with specific device sizes (180×180px for iPhone)
Android
512×512px for Play Store with density-specific sizes (mdpi, hdpi, xhdpi, etc.)
How to maintain brand consistency while respecting platform-specific guidelines.
Create a core design with your brand's essential elements, then adapt it for each platform's specific requirements while maintaining visual consistency.
Let our AI-powered tool handle the complexity of creating icons that look great on both iOS and Android. Generate all required sizes and formats with a single click.
Common questions about cross-platform app icon design
While you can use the same core design, you should adapt it to meet each platform's specific requirements. For iOS, you need a square icon with no transparency. For Android, you should create separate foreground and background layers for adaptive icons.
Design your Android icon with a 'safe area' in the center where the most important elements are placed. This ensures your icon will look good regardless of which shape mask is applied (circle, square, squircle, etc.).
Ideally, create platform-specific versions. If resources are limited, consider your target audience—if you have more iOS users, prioritize Apple's guidelines, and vice versa. Our tool can help you generate both versions with minimal effort.
Use platform-specific preview tools like the iOS Simulator and Android Studio's virtual devices. Alternatively, our app icon preview tool lets you see how your icon will appear across multiple devices and screen sizes.