IOS 5 introduces a new way to specify app icons. The old path is supposed to be compatible with iOS 5 in Xcode 4, but depending on the old method in iOS 5, it seems to be broken. I saw two problems in iOS Simulator:
- General purpose icons (white) are displayed on the home screen.
- iOS 5 uses a 50-pixel image. Doc says 57 should be used.
Tip. To check which image file is actually in use, modify all of your images. For example: Add '57', '57 @ 2x ', etc. In bold. I used Preview.app to edit my images. First, back up your images for recovery later.
► The workaround is as follows: use the old method and the new way to specify application icons.
Old path (later versions of iOS 3 plus iOS 4) In the Info.plist app Info.plist add a line called Icon files . Note the plural with 's'! In the oldest times, there was only one version ( Icon file ) that is no longer in use.
New way (iOS 5 and later) In the Info.plist app Info.plist add a line called Icon files (iOS 5) . A new line will appear with a couple of subheadings: Primary Icon and Newsstand Icon . Add Home view icons under the first. Or, as a shortcut, drag one of the icons into the project > Targets > Summary > App Icons application, and Xcode will copy all the files named in the old way.
If present, the new way surpasses the old way when working on iOS 5 or later. But in the apple documentation, the new way is optional. It is logical that you only need a new way if you are trying to announce badges in the press. But, unfortunately, experience shows that new methods are needed to prevent errors. Keep the old way if you also support iOS 4.
Here is a snapshot of the plc Xcode editor. Note:
- The old method, visible in the upper half of the screen, for compatibility with iOS 4.
- A new way is shown in the lower half, for iOS 5 and 6.
Tip. When adding a line, select the key from the pop-up menu. Enter "Icon" (uppercase "i") to filter the menu for items associated with the icon.
The key must be entered exactly like that, because a specific phrase in Xcode is used to create the Core Foundation key. So, Icon files displayed in CFBundleIconFiles , and Icon files (iOS 5) displayed on CFBundleIcons .
Tip # 2: Xcode 4 may be a mistake, so when reconfiguring your icons, you may need to do any of the following:
- Clean your project. Select
Xcode > Product > Clean . - Uninstall the application from your simulator or even reset the Simulator by choosing
iOS Simulator > Reset Content and Settings . - Close both iOS Simulator and Xcode, then restart them.
The methods described above worked for me in Xcode 4.4.1 (latest version for iOS 4.2.1, as well as 5 and 6).
Read the documents to find out other details, such as: Omit the file name extensions as shown in the screenshot above, thereby causing any Retina dual-resolution images with the same name plus “@ 2x” to be used automatically, without having to the names are individually in the plist.
Reading:
Application Icons on iPad and iPhone
Keys of the core core
If not targeting iOS 4
When starting a new project in Xcode 4.6.3 targeting iOS 5 and later, the situation is much simpler. Just name all of your app icons according to Apple docs, marked with naming conventions, place them at the top level of your project’s folder, and you’ll do it. You can check if the files were recognized by seeing that the icons are displayed visually in the Project Navigator, select your project, in the main Xcode area, select the target below the TARGETS label and go to the Summary tab.