How to change the application launcher icon on Flutter?

What steps must be followed to change the application launcher icon in a Flutter project, and what are the considerations to keep in mind for different platforms?

Changing the application launcher icon in a Flutter project can be done using the flutter_launcher_icons package, or manually by replacing the icon files in the appropriate directories. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Using flutter_launcher_icons Add the Package:

Add flutter_launcher_icons to your pubspec.yaml file under dev_dependencies

Run the Command:

Execute the following command to generate the launcher icons

This will automatically generate and place the icons in the appropriate directories for both Android and iOS.

Manual Method Android: Replace Icon Files:

Navigate to android/app/src/main/res/mipmap-*/ and replace the icon files (ic_launcher.png, ic_launcher_foreground.png, etc.) with your custom icons.

Update AndroidManifest.xml:

Ensure that the android:icon attribute in the application tag points to the new icons

iOS: Replace Icon Files:

Replace the icon files in ios/Runner/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/ with your custom icons.

Update Contents.json:

Ensure that the Contents.json file in the AppIcon.appiconset directory accurately references the new icons. Each size and scale factor should match the new icons.

Considerations for Different Platforms Image Quality:

Ensure your icons are high-resolution and properly scaled for different screen sizes.

Use tools like Icon Set Creator to generate icons in multiple sizes from a single image.

Platform Guidelines:

Follow platform-specific design guidelines for icons to ensure they look and feel native.

For example, iOS has Human Interface Guidelines that recommend specific sizes and styles for icons.

Testing:

Test your application on multiple devices to ensure the icons appear correctly.

Check for any issues with icon scaling or rendering on different screen resolutions.

By following these steps, you can successfully update your Flutter app's launcher icon, ensuring a consistent and professional appearance across all platforms.