iOS App Icon Requirements & Size Guide
Last updated: May 2026
Your app icon is the first thing users see on the App Store and on their home screen. Apple enforces strict icon requirements to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience across every device. A missing or incorrectly sized icon will cause your app to be rejected during review.
This page covers every iOS icon size you need in 2026, Apple's design guidelines, and the fastest way to generate all 15 required files from a single source image.
Required iOS App Icon Sizes
Apple defines icon sizes using a point (pt) system. Each point value is then rendered at 1x, 2x, or 3x pixel density depending on the target device. Below is the complete list of sizes you must include in your Xcode asset catalog.
| Name | Size (px) | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 20pt @1x | 20 x 20 | Notifications (iPhone) |
| 20pt @2x | 40 x 40 | Notifications (iPhone) |
| 20pt @3x | 60 x 60 | Notifications (iPhone) |
| 29pt @1x | 29 x 29 | Settings |
| 29pt @2x | 58 x 58 | Settings |
| 29pt @3x | 87 x 87 | Settings |
| 40pt @1x | 40 x 40 | Spotlight |
| 40pt @2x | 80 x 80 | Spotlight |
| 40pt @3x | 120 x 120 | Spotlight |
| 60pt @2x | 120 x 120 | App Icon (iPhone) |
| 60pt @3x | 180 x 180 | App Icon (iPhone) |
| 76pt @1x | 76 x 76 | App Icon (iPad) |
| 76pt @2x | 152 x 152 | App Icon (iPad) |
| 83.5pt @2x | 167 x 167 | App Icon (iPad Pro) |
| App Store | 1024 x 1024 | App Store listing |
By context
- Home screen (App Icon): 120 x 120, 180 x 180 for iPhone; 76 x 76, 152 x 152, 167 x 167 for iPad.
- Spotlight search: 80 x 80 and 120 x 120.
- Settings: 58 x 58 and 87 x 87.
- Notifications: 40 x 40 and 60 x 60.
- App Store: 1024 x 1024. This is never displayed on-device but is required for your store listing.
All icons must be square PNG files without alpha transparency. The file name does not matter as long as the dimensions are correct; Xcode matches by size.
iOS Icon Design Guidelines
Apple's Human Interface Guidelines define clear rules for app icons. Following them ensures your icon looks professional and avoids rejections.
Keep it simple
Use a single, recognizable subject. Avoid cramming small details that become invisible at 29 x 29 px.
Use the full square
iOS automatically applies the superellipse mask (rounded corners). Do not add your own rounded corners or padding.
No transparency
Your icon must have a fully opaque background. Alpha channels are stripped or rejected by Xcode validation.
Avoid text
Text at small sizes is unreadable. If you must include text, limit it to one or two characters at a large scale.
Test on device
Preview your icon on both light and dark wallpapers. What looks great on a monitor may not work on a home screen.
Provide 1024 x 1024
Always include the App Store size. It is used for marketing, reviews, and featured placements.
How to Generate iOS App Icons
Generating 15 icon files from one image does not need to involve Photoshop, Sketch, or complex Xcode workflows. Here is the fastest method:
Prepare your source image
Create or export your icon design as a square PNG or JPG. The recommended source size is at least 1024 x 1024 pixels so that downscaled icons remain sharp. Avoid non-square images; they will be cropped.
Upload to IconForge
Open the free icon converter at iconforge.work and drag your image into the upload area. The tool accepts PNG, JPG, and WebP up to 10 MB.
Select iOS as the target platform
Check the iOS option. IconForge will queue all 15 required sizes automatically: 20pt through 83.5pt at all density variants, plus the 1024 x 1024 App Store icon.
Download the generated icons
Click the download button. You get a ZIP file containing every iOS icon size named and organized. Drop them into your Xcode AppIcon.appiconset asset catalog and you are done.
The entire process runs in your browser using the Canvas API. No image data is uploaded to any server, and no account is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does iOS still require all 15 icon sizes in 2026?
Yes. While some newer devices only use the @2x and @3x variants, Apple’s validation checks your asset catalog for every listed size. Missing files will produce warnings or block submission.
Can I use a JPEG instead of a PNG for my icon?
No. Apple requires PNG format for all app icon assets. JPEG does not support the quality levels needed for downscaling and may introduce compression artifacts.
What happens if my icon has transparency?
Xcode will warn you, and App Store Connect may reject the build. Always flatten your icon to a solid, opaque background before generating the size variants.
Do I need different icons for iPhone and iPad?
No, you can use the same design. The system simply scales it to the appropriate size. Just make sure your design reads well at all dimensions from 29 x 29 up to 1024 x 1024.
Generate all iOS icons now
Upload your 1024 x 1024 source image and get all 15 iOS icon sizes in seconds. Free, no sign-up, 100% client-side.
Try our free iOS icon generator