Understanding App Icon Sizes in Android
Android utilizes a system of multiple icon sizes to ensure optimal display across different devices and resolutions. Choosing the correct icon size is crucial for a polished and professional app experience. Let’s delve into the essential icon sizes and guidelines for achieving the best visual results.
Recommended Icon Sizes for Android
Launcher Icons:
Launcher icons are the primary representations of your app on the device’s home screen and app drawer. They should be easily recognizable and visually appealing.
| Resolution | Size (px) |
|---|---|
| LDPI (low density) | 36×36 |
| MDPI (medium density) | 48×48 |
| HDPI (high density) | 72×72 |
| XHDPI (extra-high density) | 96×96 |
| XXHDPI (extra extra-high density) | 144×144 |
| XXXHDPI (extra extra extra-high density) | 192×192 |
Notification Icons:
Notification icons appear in the notification bar to alert users about events or updates related to your app.
| Resolution | Size (px) |
|---|---|
| LDPI (low density) | 18×18 |
| MDPI (medium density) | 24×24 |
| HDPI (high density) | 36×36 |
| XHDPI (extra-high density) | 48×48 |
| XXHDPI (extra extra-high density) | 72×72 |
| XXXHDPI (extra extra extra-high density) | 96×96 |
Content Icons:
Content icons are smaller icons used within your app’s UI to represent actions, elements, or data. They need to be clear and easily understandable.
| Resolution | Size (px) |
|---|---|
| LDPI (low density) | 12×12 |
| MDPI (medium density) | 16×16 |
| HDPI (high density) | 24×24 |
| XHDPI (extra-high density) | 32×32 |
| XXHDPI (extra extra-high density) | 48×48 |
| XXXHDPI (extra extra extra-high density) | 64×64 |
Icon Preparation and Integration
Create Icons in Different Resolutions:
For optimal display across various devices, prepare your app icons in all the recommended resolutions. This can be done using vector graphics tools like Adobe Illustrator or Sketch. Save each icon size in a separate PNG file.
Organize Icons in the “mipmap” Folder:
Create a folder named “mipmap” in your Android project’s “res” directory. Inside “mipmap,” create subfolders for each density (e.g., “mipmap-mdpi,” “mipmap-hdpi,” “mipmap-xhdpi”). Place the corresponding icon sizes within their respective density folders.
Specify the Launcher Icon:
In your AndroidManifest.xml file, use the
<application>
tag’s
android:icon
attribute to designate the launcher icon for your app. For instance:
<application
...
android:icon="@mipmap/app_icon" >
Handling Amazon Kindle Fire
Amazon Kindle Fire devices often run customized versions of Android. While the standard icon sizes are generally compatible, it’s wise to include additional icons for Kindle Fire to ensure a seamless experience.
Kindle Fire Icon Sizes:
Kindle Fire devices support a specific set of icon sizes:
| Resolution | Size (px) |
|---|---|
| Launcher Icons | 128×128 |
Add Kindle Fire Icons:
To support Kindle Fire devices, create additional icons in the 128×128 resolution. Place these icons within the “mipmap-hdpi” folder, as Kindle Fire devices often fall within the HDPI density range. While Kindle Fire is known to be more sensitive to icon sizes, using the “mipmap-hdpi” folder might be your best option if you’re not aiming for an exact match for the 128×128 pixel icons required for this device.
Conclusion
By adhering to the recommended icon sizes for Android and ensuring proper Kindle Fire compatibility, you can enhance your app’s visual appeal and provide a consistent experience for your users. The right icons contribute significantly to an overall polished and professional app presence.