---
title: PWA Icons: What an Installable App Needs
description: A PWA needs specific icons before a browser will offer to install it: 192x192 and 512x512 in the manifest, ideally a maskable one, plus apple-touch-icon for iOS.
canonical: https://favicontools.com/glossary/pwa-icons
---

# PWA Icons: What an Installable App Needs

For a browser to treat your site as an installable PWA, its manifest must list at least a 192x192 and a 512x512 PNG icon. A maskable icon is strongly recommended so Android can shape it to the launcher, and iOS still needs a separate apple-touch-icon because it ignores the manifest for home-screen icons. Miss the 192/512 pair and the install prompt won't appear.

## The install gate

Chrome and other Chromium browsers won't offer to install a PWA until the manifest lists both a 192x192 and a 512x512 icon. That pair is a hard requirement: without it there is no install prompt, no matter what else the manifest contains.

The 192 also serves the home-screen shortcut and the 512 feeds the splash screen and high-density displays. A maskable version lets Android crop the icon to whatever shape the launcher uses instead of framing it in a white box.

## Icons a PWA needs

| Icon | Why it's needed |
| --- | --- |
| 192x192 PNG | Install requirement and home-screen shortcut |
| 512x512 PNG | Splash screen and high-density displays |
| Maskable icon | Lets Android shape the icon to the launcher |
| apple-touch-icon 180x180 | iOS home screen: the manifest doesn't cover it |

> **iOS is the exception:** Safari uses the apple-touch-icon, not the manifest, for a home-screen icon. A PWA that only lists icons in the manifest gets a blurry screenshot on iOS. Always ship a separate apple-touch-icon.

## PWA icons FAQ

### What icon sizes does a PWA need?

At minimum a 192x192 and a 512x512 PNG in the manifest, ideally with a maskable variant, plus a 180x180 apple-touch-icon for iOS home screens.

### Why won't my PWA install?

The most common cause is a manifest missing the 192x192 or 512x512 icon: both are required before the browser shows an install prompt. Check the manifest's icons array first.

### Do PWA icons cover iOS home screens?

No. iOS ignores the manifest's icons for the home screen and uses the apple-touch-icon instead, so you need that file as well.