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

Master Icon

• 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

Existing Apps

• Audit against new rules
• Make Liquid Glass variants
• Add Android monochrome layer
• Test across devices & themes

New Apps

• Design for both platforms from the start
• Check legibility at 29×29px
• Keep brand consistent
• Plan seasonal/A/B test variations

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.