Flutter Desktop – How to Change App Icon for Windows MacOS and Linux
Introduction
Flutter is a popular framework for building cross-platform applications. When developing a desktop application using Flutter, one of the essential tasks is to change the app icon. The app icon represents the application and is displayed on the user’s desktop, taskbar, or dock. In this article, we will explore how to change the app icon for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Changing App Icon for Windows
To change the app icon for a Windows application, you need to create an `.ico` file with the desired icon and place it in the `windows/runner/resources` directory. You can use a tool like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop to create an `.ico` file. Once you have created the `.ico` file, you can specify it in the `pubspec.yaml` file. Here is an example:
“`yaml
flutter:
assets:
– assets/icon.ico
“`
Then, you need to update the `windows/runner/main.cpp` file to use the new icon:
“`c
#include
int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance, LPSTR lpCmdLine, int nCmdShow) {
// …
HWND hwnd = CreateWindowEx(
0,
L”FLUTTERRUNNER”,
L”Flutter App”,
WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW,
CW_USEDEFAULT,
CW_USEDEFAULT,
CW_USEDEFAULT,
CW_USEDEFAULT,
nullptr,
nullptr,
hInstance,
nullptr
);
// …
HICON hIcon = LoadIcon(hInstance, L”icon”);
SendMessage(hwnd, WMSETICON, ICONBIG, (LPARAM)hIcon);
// …
}
“`
Changing App Icon for macOS
To change the app icon for a macOS application, you need to create an `.icns` file with the desired icon and place it in the `macos/Runner/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset` directory. You can use a tool like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop to create an `.icns` file. Once you have created the `.icns` file, you can specify it in the `pubspec.yaml` file. Here is an example:
“`yaml
flutter:
assets:
– assets/icon.icns
“`
Then, you need to update the `macos/Runner/Info.plist` file to use the new icon:
“`xml
“`
Changing App Icon for Linux
To change the app icon for a Linux application, you need to create a `.png` file with the desired icon and place it in the `linux/runner/resources` directory. You can use a tool like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop to create a `.png` file. Once you have created the `.png` file, you can specify it in the `pubspec.yaml` file. Here is an example:
“`yaml
flutter:
assets:
– assets/icon.png
“`
Then, you need to update the `linux/runner/main.cpp` file to use the new icon:
“`c
#include
int main(int argc, char argv) {
// …
gtkwindowseticon(GTKWINDOW(window), gdkpixbufnewfromfile(“icon.png”, NULL));
// …
}
“`
Conclusion
Changing the app icon for a Flutter desktop application is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily change the app icon for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Remember to create the necessary icon files and update the `pubspec.yaml` file accordingly.
FAQ
1. What is the recommended size for an app icon?
The recommended size for an app icon varies depending on the platform. For Windows, the recommended size is 256×256 pixels. For macOS, the recommended size is 1024×1024 pixels. For Linux, the recommended size is 128×128 pixels.
2. What file format should I use for my app icon?
The file format for an app icon depends on the platform. For Windows, use an `.ico` file. For macOS, use an `.icns` file. For Linux, use a `.png` file.
3. How do I create an app icon?
You can create an app icon using a tool like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop.
4. Where do I place the app icon file?
The location of the app icon file depends on the platform. For Windows, place it in the `windows/runner/resources` directory. For macOS, place it in the `macos/Runner/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset` directory. For Linux, place it in the `linux/runner/resources` directory.
5. Do I need to update the `pubspec.yaml` file?
Yes, you need to update the `pubspec.yaml` file to specify the location of the app icon file.
