Personalizing the smartphone interface is not just a way to stand out, but also an opportunity to improve the ergonomics of using the device. Standard sets of graphics often look boring or don't match the overall color scheme of your theme. That is why many users are thinking about how to make a pack of icons for Android on their own in order to get a perfectly suitable visual style.
The process of creating custom graphics requires an understanding of the basics of work launchers, image formats and the structure of Android file systems. You don't have to be a professional designer or programmer to get started. Modern tools allow you to implement this task using only a tablet or even a smartphone itself, although working on a PC significantly speeds up the process.
In this article we will analyze all the stages: from choosing a style and preparing source codes to final packaging and installation of the finished product. You will learn what applications are needed for drawing, how to correctly name files for automatic application, and what limitations exist in different system shells.
Preparing a concept and choosing a style
Before you start drawing, you need to clearly define what your future one will look like icon pack. A unified style is the main requirement that distinguishes a professional set from a chaotic collection of pictures. You can choose minimalism, neomorphism, retro style of the 8s or strict geometric shapes.
It is important to consider that application icons will be adjacent to widgets and system notifications. Therefore color palette should be selected so as not to overload visual perception. Too bright or contrasting elements can quickly tire the eyes when using the interface every day.
⚠️ Attention: When choosing a style, consider the screen resolution of your device. Too small details in complex drawings can turn into an unreadable mess on screens with low pixel density.
To get started, it is recommended to create a “reference board” or simply collect examples of the works you like. This will help you stay on track while creating dozens of similar images.
- 🎨 Determine the basic shape: circle, rounded square, hexagon or complete freedom.
- 🌈 Select 3-4 primary colors that will dominate all images in the set.
- 📐 Set uniform padding for all elements so that they visually appear the same size.
Required drawing tools
Creating high-quality graphics is impossible without the right software. There are many solutions on the market, and the choice depends on your platform and skill level. For professional work, they most often use Adobe Illustrator or Figma, which allow you to work with vector graphics.
If you plan to draw directly on an Android device, you will need powerful mobile editors. The leader in this niche is the application Infinite Design, which supports working with layers and vectors. Also, excellent results are achieved Conceptshaving an infinite canvas.
The key point is support for a transparent background. All your images must be saved in a format that supports an alpha channel, otherwise instead of transparent areas you will end up with white squares that will ruin the whole look.
Don't forget about the grids. Adaptive Icon Templates are available in the Google Play Store to help maintain correct proportions and safety zones when drawing.
Technical requirements and image sizes
Android uses adaptive icons that were introduced in version 8.0 Oreo. This means that the system itself crops the image depending on the shape selected by the user in the launcher. However, for maximum compatibility with older devices and third-party launchers, it is better to prepare universal files.
The standard size for the source file is 1024x1024 pixels. This resolution is enough for the system to scale the image to any screen density (mdpi, hdpi, xhdpi, xxhdpi, xxxhdpi) without loss of quality. It is not recommended to use a smaller size.
| Screen density | Recommended size (px) | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| mdpi | 48x48 | 1.0x |
| hdpi | 72x72 | 1.5x |
| xhdpi | 96x96 | 2.0x |
| xxhdpi | 144x144 | 3.0x |
| xxxhdpi | 192x192 | 4.0x |
File format should be strictly PNG. Using JPG is unacceptable, as this format does not support transparency and adds compression artifacts around the edges of the image, which looks extremely unsightly.
Save sources in vector format (SVG) if you are working in Figma or Illustrator. This will allow you to change the export size at any time without losing quality if Android standards change.
Rendering process and graphics export
Start drawing by creating a new document sized 1024x1024 pixels. Place guides on the canvas to indicate the safe zone. In responsive Android icons, it is important that the main content does not extend beyond the central circle with a diameter of approximately 66% of the canvas size.
When drawing, avoid using thin lines and small text. The icon should be instantly readable, even if it is reduced to the size of a thumbnail. Use contrasting colors recognizable symbols associated with the application's function.
After completing the drawing, you must export the file correctly. Make sure the background is completely transparent (check this by placing a bright, contrasting color underneath the layer). The file name can be anything for now, but it is better to immediately name it logically, for example, icon_whatsapp.png.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and company branding rules may change. If you are making a pack for personal use, this is not a problem, but when publishing in the Store, make sure that your icons do not violate trademark rights by using too exact copies of logos.
For batch processing of many images (for example, if you need to resize or add a filter to all of them at once), you can use desktop apps like XnConvert or online services that support batch-processing.
Creating the appfilter.xml configuration file
The hardest part of the process is getting the launcher to understand which icon to apply to which application. For this, a special XML file is created, usually called appfilter.xml. It specifies the correspondence between the application component (its internal name) and the name of your icon file.
The structure of the entry is as follows: the item tag contains an attribute component (path to the application) and an attribute drawable (the name of your file without extension). You can find the exact name of the component through various analyzer applications, for example Icon Pack Studio or Iconalyzer.
<item component="ComponentInfo{com.whatsapp/com.whatsapp.Main}" drawable="whatsapp_custom" />You will have to write such lines for each application that you want to change. This is a labor-intensive process, but it is necessary for automatic replacement. Some launchers allow simplified configuration without XML, but to create a full-fledged package this file is required.
Where can I find the name of the application component?
Run the Iconalyzer application or similar. Select the desired application from the list, and the app will show its ComponentInfo. Copy this line and paste it into the component attribute of your XML file.
There are online appfilter.xml generators that allow you to visually select an icon and application, and then download the finished code. This greatly simplifies life for beginners who do not want to understand the XML syntax manually.
Assembling and installing the pack on the device
In order for the Android system to perceive your folder with pictures and the XML file as a single one icon packs, they need to be packaged in an APK file. The easiest way to do this is with online constructors, such as Icon Pack Studio from Smart Launcher, or desktop tools like Android Icon Pack Creator.
The assembly process usually looks like this: you upload your PNG files, upload the appfilter.xml file, select an icon for the pack itself in the store and click the button "Build". The service generates an installation file.
☑️ Checklist before installation
After receiving the APK file, transfer it to your smartphone and install. After installation, you will need to go to the settings of your launcher (for example, Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Smart Launcher), find the “Icon Style” or “Look & Feel” section and select the installed package.
If the icons are not applied automatically, check the syntax of the XML file. Often the error lies in a typo in the name of the component or incorrect format of the drawable name. In such cases, the launcher will simply ignore incorrect entries.
Common problems and their solutions
When creating custom sets, users often encounter a number of common errors. One of the most common is that icons are used, but they look stretched or cropped. This indicates that you did not take into account the safe zone when drawing or set the canvas dimensions incorrectly.
Another problem is that the launcher does not see the pack. Make sure that your APK manifest (if you are building it manually or via a builder) contains the correct Intent filter. It is what tells the system that this application is an icon set and not a regular app.
- ❌ Icons are white: most likely, you saved the file in JPG format instead of PNG, and the transparency is gone.
- ❌ Only part applies: check appfilter.xml for duplicates or syntax errors in specific lines.
- ❌ The launcher resets the settings: some “heavy” packs with hundreds of high-resolution icons can consume a lot of RAM.
The main difficulty when creating a pack is not drawing, but the correct mapping (appfilter.xml). Pay maximum attention to checking the names of application components.
It is also worth considering that some smartphone manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi with MIUI or Samsung with OneUI) have profound changes to the system. On their stock launchers, third-party icon packs may not work correctly or require the installation of an additional plugin.
Do you need to be able to app to make a pack?
No, programming in the classical sense (Java/Kotlin) is not required. You only need to be able to work with graphic editors and understand the basic structure of XML files, which is more of a document skill than a coding skill.
Is it possible to make money by creating icons?
Yes, popular packs in the Google Play Store can generate income. However, competition is high, and users are willing to pay only for a unique, high-quality design and support (updating icons for new applications).
Which launcher is best for testing?
For testing, it is best to use Nova Launcher or Lawnchair. They have the most complete support for third-party packs and flexible settings, which allows you to immediately see errors in layout or size.