Android App Splash Screen Dimensions: Everything You Need to Know

When we launch our android application to playstore, the major part which helps us with the branding of the app is splash screen image. In the following table, we have listed the various sizes of the splash screen image ( in jpg ) i.e. Splash Screen Dimensions used for different screen sizes.

The splash screen is the first impression users get when they open your Android app, so it’s essential to get it right. The proper splash screen design, including the correct dimensions, enhances the user experience and establishes your brand identity. But what are the correct Android app splash screen dimensions? In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about splash screen dimensions, how to set them up, best practices, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Whether you’re a beginner developer or an experienced app designer, understanding the optimal dimensions for splash screens can significantly enhance the usability of your app.

What is an Android App Splash Screen?

A splash screen is a graphical introduction that appears when you launch an app. It usually displays the app’s logo or branding for a few seconds while the app loads in the background. The goal of a splash screen is to provide a seamless experience and give the user a visual cue that the app is launching.

• Key Features of a Splash Screen:
• Establishes brand identity.
• Provides a smoother transition into the app.
• Acts as a placeholder while the app loads.

Example: The Google Play Store app uses a splash screen with the Google logo that helps users recognize the app instantly.

Understanding Android Splash Screen Dimensions

When creating a splash screen for your Android app, using the correct dimensions is crucial for ensuring that the image looks good on a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets. Android devices come in different screen sizes and densities, so you must create multiple versions of your splash screen to accommodate these variations.

Splash Screen Image Sizes for Different Screen Densities

Android devices use different screen densities such as ldpi, mdpi, hdpi, xhdpi, xxhdpi, and xxxhdpi. Here are the recommended splash screen dimensions for each density category:

These dimensions are important to ensure that the splash screen image doesn’t look pixelated or stretched on devices with different screen sizes and resolutions.

How to Create the Perfect Splash Screen for Android

To create a splash screen for Android, follow these steps to ensure it looks great on all devices:

1. Design with Multiple Resolutions in Mind: Use graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma to create images at multiple resolutions. This ensures that the splash screen scales well on different devices.
2. Use 9-Patch Images: Android supports 9-patch images to scale graphics appropriately. A 9-patch image is a special type of PNG that allows certain parts to be stretched without distorting other areas.
3. Set Up in Android Studio: Use Android Studio to create your splash screen. Include all the image assets in the appropriate folders, such as drawable-mdpi, drawable-hdpi, etc.

Example Code for Setting Up a Splash Screen

Here is an example of how to set up a splash screen in Android Studio using Kotlin:

import android.content.Intent
import android.os.Bundle
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity
import com.example.myapp.MainActivity

class SplashScreenActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_splash_screen)

        val splashScreenDuration = 3000 // duration in milliseconds
        android.os.Handler().postDelayed({
            val intent = Intent(this, MainActivity::class.java)
            startActivity(intent)
            finish()
        }, splashScreenDuration.toLong())
    }
}

• Explanation:
• SplashScreenActivity: Displays the splash screen for 3 seconds before navigating to MainActivity.
• The Handler is used to introduce a delay, simulating the app loading process.

Best Practices for Android Splash Screen Dimensions

1. Maintain Aspect Ratio: Always keep the correct aspect ratio of the splash screen image to prevent it from being stretched or squished.
2. Use High-Quality Graphics: Ensure that the images used are of high quality. Avoid blurry or pixelated images, as they create a poor user experience.
3. Keep It Simple: The splash screen should load quickly, so keep the design simple. Use minimal text and avoid animations that can increase loading times.
4. Add Branding Elements: Use your brand’s colors, logo, and tagline to reinforce brand identity. This helps create a strong first impression.
5. Test on Multiple Devices: Always test your splash screen on various devices to ensure that it looks great regardless of screen size or resolution.

Common Issues and Solutions When Creating Splash Screens

1. Splash Screen Image Appears Stretched

If your splash screen image appears stretched, it is likely because the aspect ratio doesn’t match the screen resolution of the device.

Solution: Ensure that you create multiple versions of the splash screen image to cover all major Android screen densities, and always maintain the original aspect ratio.

2. Slow Splash Screen Loading Time

A long splash screen duration can frustrate users, especially if it delays app functionality.

Solution: Keep the splash screen as lightweight as possible. Use simple graphics and avoid large file sizes.

3. Blurry Splash Screen on High-Resolution Devices

Blurry splash screens are often caused by using low-resolution images that don’t match the screen density of the device.

Solution: Provide multiple versions of your splash screen image (e.g., xxhdpi, xxxhdpi) to ensure that high-resolution devices use the best quality available.

Alternatives to Splash Screens

Instead of using traditional splash screens, you can consider using skeleton screens or progress indicators that provide immediate feedback to users. This helps reduce perceived loading times and provides a better user experience.

• Skeleton Screens: Displays a lightweight version of the main UI while content loads in the background.
• Progress Indicators: Shows a progress bar or spinner to inform users that the app is loading.

Conclusion

Creating the perfect splash screen for your Android app requires careful consideration of dimensions, image quality, and user experience. By following the recommendations and best practices outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your splash screen not only looks visually appealing but also enhances the overall usability of your app.

Remember that splash screens are often the first impression your users get, so make sure to design them in a way that reflects your brand and keeps users engaged.