Everything developers need to know about creating beautiful, effective iOS app icons that follow Apple's guidelines and drive downloads.
Examples of successful iOS app icons on the App Store
Your app icon is the first visual element users see in the App Store and on their home screens. It's not just a small graphic—it's your brand's first impression, a crucial marketing asset, and a key factor in your app's success.
Studies show that apps with professionally designed icons see up to 30% higher download rates and improved user retention. In the crowded App Store ecosystem, your icon needs to stand out while clearly communicating your app's purpose and value.
Apple requires specific icon sizes for different devices and contexts. Here's the complete list of sizes you'll need for iOS app submission in 2024.
| Device/Context | Dimensions | Format |
|---|---|---|
| App Store | 1024 × 1024 px | PNG format, no alpha |
| iPhone (iOS 7+) | 180 × 180 px (60pt @3x) 120 × 120 px (60pt @2x) | PNG format, no alpha |
| iPad (iOS 7+) | 167 × 167 px (83.5pt @2x) 152 × 152 px (76pt @2x) | PNG format, no alpha |
| iPad Pro | 167 × 167 px (83.5pt @2x) | PNG format, no alpha |
| App Store Small | 512 × 512 px | PNG format, no alpha |
| Spotlight | 120 × 120 px (60pt @2x) 80 × 80 px (40pt @2x) | PNG format, no alpha |
| Settings | 87 × 87 px (29pt @3x) 58 × 58 px (29pt @2x) | PNG format, no alpha |
| Notifications | 60 × 60 px (20pt @3x) 40 × 40 px (20pt @2x) | PNG format, no alpha |
Apple no longer accepts icons with transparency (alpha channels). All icons must have a solid background. Additionally, iOS automatically applies rounded corners and a drop shadow to your icon, so you should submit square images with right-angled corners.
Follow these Apple-recommended design principles to create effective, visually appealing icons.
Focus on a single central element or concept. Avoid cluttering your icon with too many details or text elements.
Your icon should be instantly recognizable even at small sizes. Test your design at different dimensions to ensure clarity.
Choose 2-3 primary colors that reflect your brand. A focused color palette creates a more cohesive, professional look.
Ensure your icon looks good against both light and dark backgrounds as users may use either mode.
Use Apple's grid system to align elements perfectly. This creates a more polished, professional appearance.
Subtle shadows and layering can add dimension, but don't overdo 3D effects that might clash with iOS design language.
Learn from these frequent errors that can lead to App Store rejection or poor user engagement.
Text in app icons becomes illegible at small sizes. Apple specifically discourages text in app icons unless it's part of a recognized logo.
Photos often don't scale well to different sizes and can look blurry. Vectorized graphic elements tend to work better for clarity.
Apple prohibits using its UI elements, such as tabs, buttons, or system icons in your app icon design.
Placing important elements too close to the edge can result in them being cut off by iOS's automatic corner rounding.
If your app is cross-platform, maintain brand consistency while respecting each platform's design guidelines.
Professional resources to help you create, test, and perfect your iOS app icon.
Automatically creates App Store-ready icons in all required sizes
Official documentation on icon design principles
Pre-configured templates with the correct dimensions and guidelines
Export your icon in all required iOS sizes with one click
See how your icon will look on actual iOS devices
Test your icon on different device sizes and screen resolutions
Test different icon designs with real users before launch
Ensure your icon works well for users with visual impairments
Skip the complicated design process. Our AI-powered app icon generator creates professional, App Store-ready icons instantly.
Common questions about iOS app icon design
No, Apple does not allow transparency (alpha channels) in app icons. All icons must have a solid background. iOS automatically applies rounded corners to your icon.
The primary App Store icon should be 1024 × 1024 pixels in PNG format with no transparency. This master asset will be used to generate all the other required sizes.
Apple strongly discourages using text in app icons unless it's part of a recognized logo or brand mark. Text typically becomes illegible at smaller sizes.
Yes, you need to provide all the required sizes for proper display across different iOS devices and contexts. However, our AI generator can automatically create all required sizes from your design concept.
Major icon changes should be strategic and infrequent. Consider updating your icon for major app updates, to reflect significant brand evolution, or if your current icon isn't performing well.
Yes, you can A/B test different icon designs through platforms like Firebase or TestFlight before deciding on a final version. Some developers also use phased rollouts with different icons to measure performance.
