Android Custom App Icons: Tips and Tricks

Understanding Android Icon Customization

Customizing app icons on Android can personalize your device significantly. While Android doesn't offer native functionality to change app icons, several workarounds and tools can help. Understanding the basics of how icons work on Android is essential before diving into customization.

Using Third-Party Launchers

One effective way to customize app icons is by using third-party launchers. These launchers offer a wide range of customization options, including the ability to change app icons.

1. Install a Third-Party Launcher: Several third-party launchers are available in the Google Play Store, such as Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, and Hyperion Launcher. Each launcher has its own set of features and customization options.
2. Open the Launcher Settings: After installing your chosen launcher, open its settings. This is usually done by tapping and holding on the home screen and then selecting the launcher settings.
3. Customize Icon Appearance: Within the launcher settings, look for the "Look and Feel" or "Appearance" section. Here, you can select the icon style and theme. For example, in Nova Launcher, you can choose from various icon themes or even create your own custom theme.
4. Change Individual App Icons: To change the icon of a specific app, tap and hold on the app icon on your home screen. This will bring up an edit option. From there, you can select the app icon image and change it to any photo from your gallery.

Using Themed Icons

Themed icons match the colors and themes of your device's wallpaper, providing a seamless and visually appealing experience.

1. Install Shortcut Maker: To create themed icons, install an app called Shortcut Maker from the Google Play Store. This app allows you to create custom-made themed icons for any app in your app drawer.
2. Create a Themed Icon:
   • Long-tap on your home screen and select Widgets.
   • Find Shortcut Maker and drag Shortcut (Standard) to your home screen.
   • Select App and find the app you want to create a themed icon for.
   • Tap Icon and select Themed. Choose the color palette you want and adjust the icon size as needed.
   • Hit the checkmark to save your themed icon.
3. Using an Icon Pack: Alternatively, use an icon pack from the Google Play Store. The Material You Dynamic Icon Pack is a popular choice that can be easily installed and integrated into your existing setup.

Customizing App Icons with Image Asset Studio

For developers, creating custom icons for an app can be done using Image Asset Studio in Android Studio. This tool helps generate icons from material icons, custom images, and text strings.

1. Open Image Asset Studio:
   • In Android Studio, go to File > New > Image Asset.
   • Select Launcher Icons (Adaptive and Legacy) in the Icon Type field.
2. Add Assets:
   • In the Foreground Layer tab, select an Asset Type (e.g., Material Icon, Custom Image, or Text String).
   • Add your chosen asset and configure it as needed.
3. Generate Icons:
   • Image Asset Studio will generate a set of icons at appropriate resolutions for each pixel density supported by your app.
   • The newly generated icons will be placed in density-specific folders under the res/ directory in your project.
4. Adaptive vs Legacy Icons:
   • Adaptive Icons: These icons can display as various shapes across different device models and are available in Android 8.0 (API level 26) and higher.
   • Legacy Icons: These icons are intended for use on devices running Android 7.1 (API level 25) or lower and do not display as varying shapes across device models.

Tips for Customizing App Icons

1. Choose the Right Colors: When designing an app icon, select colors that align with your brand. Bright colors can attract users' attention, but using too many colors can be overwhelming. Simple app icons drive more conversion than complex ones.
2. Reflect on Your Brand Colors: Apps like Headspace use simple icons that reflect their brand colors. This simplicity helps users understand what to expect from the app after downloading it.
3. Consider Dark Mode: Ensure that your app icon looks good in both light and dark modes. Use contrasting colors to make it polished on both white and black backgrounds. For Android, using a transparent background in the app icon can help it adapt to the user's preferred mode.
4. Follow App Store Guidelines: When designing an app icon for the App Store or Google Play, adhere to the guidelines set by each store. For example, on the App Store, create an app icon design that works well on multiple platforms, prioritize graphical images over photos, and avoid screenshots or UI components in your icon.
5. Use Material Design Icons: Material icons are most useful for action bar icons, tab icons, or notification icons. They follow the material design style and are recommended for launcher icons even if you support older Android versions.
6. Customize Icons for Specific Devices: If you're targeting specific devices like Google Pixel phones, you can use their dynamic theming feature to change app icons based on the colors of the wallpapers. However, this feature is currently in beta and only changes icons on the home screen.
7. Explore Icon Packs and Themes: Icon packs like Material You Dynamic Icon Pack can provide a wide range of themed icons that match your device's wallpaper. These packs can be easily installed from the Google Play Store and integrated into your existing setup.
8. Use Third-Party Apps for Customization: Apps like Shortcut Maker and X Icon Changer offer extensive customization options for app icons. These apps allow you to create custom-made themed icons for any app in your app drawer and can be installed from the Google Play Store.

Customizing app icons on Android can provide a personalized and visually appealing interface. By using third-party launchers, themed icons, and tools like Image Asset Studio, developers and users can create custom icons that match their brand identity and device settings. Following the tips and tricks outlined in this article will help you navigate the process of customizing app icons effectively.

Whether you're looking to change individual app icons or create a uniform home screen with themed icons, there are numerous tools and methods available to achieve this. By leveraging these customization options, you can make your Android device truly unique and tailored to your preferences.