How to change the Android app icon in Android Studio

Oscar de la Hera Gomez
Two flowers that represent Android and Android Studio with the text "App Icon" beneath them.

A step by step guide for customizing an Android app icon using Android Studio.

The following tutorial builds on our Open Source Kotlin project which can be downloaded using the link below, and aims to walk you through how to change an Android apps icon through the example of our Price After app icon.

We recommend that you checkout the main branch and carry out the steps described below. The changes that took place can be found on the tutorial/branding/icon branch.

git clone git@github.com:delasign/kotlin-android-starter-project.git

Step One: Setup the Colors

A screenshot of Android Studio showing the color.xml. We have highlighted where we have added the custom color, using the code that is available below.

Add the ARGB colors that you wish to use in your icon to the projects colors.xml file.

If you do not know how to do this, follow the tutorial linked below.

Step Two: Change the Icon's background

A screenshot of Android Studio with the ic_launcher_background.xml file selected. Highlighted is how we changed the background color.

In the res > drawable > ic_launcher_background.xml file, change the icons background.

We have highlighted how we changed the icon to have a black background.

Step Three: Create the Icon

A screenshot of our Figma project for the Price After app. We have highlighted the selection of the Android icon.

In Figma, create a frame that's 108px by 108px and place your app icon inside it.

It is imperative that the icons frame is 108px by 108px, otherwise it won't appear as desired when implemented in Android Studio.

Step Four: Export the SVG Code

A screenshot of Figma showing you the menu that appears when you right click on a frame or objects. If you select Copy / Paste as > Copy as SVG, you will export the SVG as code.

Select the frame or objects, right click and select Copy/Paste as > Copy as SVG.

Step Five: Paste into Android Studio

A screenshot of Android Studio showing ic_launcher_foreground.xml file. It shows the code that was pasted from Figma.

In the res > ic_launcher_foreground.xml file, highlight the svg paths and replace them by pasting in the code from Step Four.

Step Six: Remove everything except the paths

A screenshot of Android Studio showing ic_launcher_foreground.xml file. It shows that we have removed everything except the paths, from the code that was pasted in from Figma.

Clean up the ic_launcher_foreground.xml file, such that only the svg paths remain from the code that you pasted in Step Five.

Step Seven: Implement Android Specific Code

A screenshot of Android Studio showing ic_launcher_foreground.xml file. It shows that we have modified the code to apply android specific syntax.

In the ic_launcher_foreground.xml file, convert the svg paths to their android equivalent:

  • d -> android:pathData
  • fill -> android:fillColor
  • stroke-width -> android:strokeWidth
  • stroke -> android:strokeColor

Step Eight: Test

A screenshot of Android Studio showing the emulator. Highlighted is the updated icon.

Run the code and confirm that the app icon updates on a device or emulator.

Any Questions?

We are actively looking for feedback on how to improve this resource. Please send us a note to inquiries@delasign.com with any thoughts or feedback you may have.
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