SVG vs PNG for App Store Icons

Apple requires PNG for App Store icon submission — here's how to design in vector and hit the exact required specifications.

Apple's PNG Requirement

App Store Connect requires app icons as PNG at a specific resolution (1024x1024px for the App Store listing icon, with additional sizes for various iOS UI contexts generated automatically by Xcode from that master) — SVG submission isn't supported at any point in Apple's app icon pipeline, despite iOS supporting vector-like scaling for other UI elements.

1024x1024px PNG is required for the App Store listing icon
Xcode generates smaller UI-context icon sizes from that master
No SVG submission path exists anywhere in Apple's icon pipeline

Vector-First Icon Design Workflow

Design your app icon as SVG for maximum precision on the fine details that read well at small sizes, then export a flawless 1024x1024 PNG as your master — this workflow catches design issues (overly fine detail that won't survive scaling down to a 60x60 home screen icon) more easily than working in raster from the start.

Vector design catches fine-detail issues before final PNG export
Test how the icon reads at the smallest deployed size (as small as 40x40px)
Export the final 1024x1024 master PNG without any transparency (Apple disallows it)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my app icon have a transparent background?

No — Apple's App Store icon requirements disallow transparency; the 1024x1024 PNG must have a fully opaque background, unlike some other platforms' icon specifications.

How do I make sure my icon reads well at small sizes?

Test your vector design at the smallest deployed size (down to roughly 40x40px for some iOS contexts) before finalizing — fine details that look great at 1024px often disappear or blur at home-screen icon size.

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