App Icon Design Guide: Creating Icons for iOS and Android in 2025

Your app icon is the first thing users see. Here's how to make it memorable and effective in 2025.

Platform Requirements

iOS App Icons

Size: 1024x1024px for App Store
Format: PNG (no transparency)
Corners: System applies rounded corners
Safe area: Keep important elements 10% from edges

Android App Icons

Size: 512x512px for Play Store
Format: PNG (transparency allowed)
Adaptive: Consider foreground/background layers
Densities: Multiple sizes (48dp base)

Design Principles for App Icons

1. Instant Recognition

Must be clear at 60x60px on home screen.

Test: View at actual size on your phone.

2. Simple and Bold

One main element or symbol
No text (except single letter if necessary)
Strong silhouette
High contrast

3. Unique and Memorable

Distinctive from competitors
Ownable design
Color scheme that stands out
Recognizable shape

4. On-Brand

Matches app purpose
Appropriate for target audience
Reflects app personality

AI Prompts for App Icons

Productivity Apps

Productivity app icon with checkmark and geometric task elements,
vibrant blue gradient, modern clean style, bold simple shapes

Task management icon with organized geometric blocks,
electric purple and cyan, professional minimal design

Social Apps

Social connection app icon with abstract people nodes,
gradient pink to purple, friendly modern style, circular composition

Chat app icon with speech bubble geometric shape,
vibrant colors, playful bold style, recognizable silhouette

Finance Apps

Finance tracker icon with upward growth arrow and coins,
green and gold gradient, trustworthy professional style, clean bold shapes

Banking app icon with secure vault geometric symbol,
blue gradient, professional trustworthy aesthetic, simple strong design

Health/Fitness Apps

Fitness tracker icon with heartbeat and activity symbols,
vibrant orange and red gradient, energetic bold style

Meditation app icon with calm geometric zen symbol,
soft purple and blue gradient, peaceful minimal design

Using SVG Genie's Icon Creator

Specialized workflow for app icons:

Enter app name and description
Select industry (15 categories)
Choose platform (Mobile/Web/Social)
Pick AI style
Add keywords
Generate optimized icon

The AI creates icons specifically designed for app store requirements.

Design Don'ts

❌ Too much detail (illegible when small) ❌ Thin lines (disappear at small sizes) ❌ Complex gradients (look muddy) ❌ Text/words (hard to read) ❌ Too many colors (chaotic) ❌ Generic symbols (Apple already used)

Testing Your Icon

Home Screen Test

Place on iPhone/Android home screen
View from arm's length
Recognizable? Memorable?

Search Results Test

Small thumbnail size
Still identifiable?
Stands out from others?

All Backgrounds Test

Light backgrounds
Dark backgrounds
Colored wallpapers

Export Checklist

☑ 1024x1024px PNG (iOS App Store) ☑ 512x512px PNG (Google Play) ☑ SVG master file (for future edits) ☑ Test on actual devices ☑ Preview in store listings