CODEWITHSUNDEEP
androideclipseiconsproject
Magnus
Magnus

Reputation: 18788

What does the ic_launcher-web.png in my project root do?

Unbelievably enough, I couldn't find an answer when Googling for this very basic question!

I noticed that since I upgraded from Eclipse Helios to Eclipse Juno and updated the Android SDK, Eclipse places a file called ic_launcher-web.png in the project root whenever I create a new Android project. The file is the same as the application icon selected in the project creation dialog, but what does it do? As mentioned, it's in the project root, not in any of the /res/ folders. So is it included in the finished .apk file, and what is it's purpose?

Upvotes: 81

Views: 28137

Answers (4)

Cat
Cat

Reputation: 67522

It's for the Play Store, which accepts 512x512 high-resolution icons:

  • High Resolution Application Icon (Required):
    • Use: In various locations in Google Play.
    • Specs: 512x512, 32-bit PNG with alpha; Max size of 1024KB.

-- Google Support

(A more tutorial like explanation can be found here.)

It is not used in your actual app or the launcher, so it is not packaged in the APK.

Upvotes: 106

Androidcoder
Androidcoder

Reputation: 4679

If you keep this file make sure to change it to duplicate your regular launcher file. You manually add the regular launcher file to the play site when submitting your project anyway so the extra web launcher file may not be needed. My first project never had one.

Upvotes: -1

lord_sneed
lord_sneed

Reputation: 824

There is a little bit of an explanation here on this page:

http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/ui_guidelines/icon_design_launcher.html#size

Upvotes: 2

Ahmad
Ahmad

Reputation: 72613

This is the icon for the google play store. You need to provide a 512 x 512 icon.

Upvotes: 4

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