Test the Monochrome Layer of an Android Themed Icon

Your full-color icon may read well while its themed version looks like a solid blob. Color can separate shapes in the original art, but that contrast can disappear when the launcher applies a palette.

Reduce the artwork to a recognizable mark

Work from a duplicate. For a compass, keep the outer ring and the diagonal needle, then remove tiny tick marks and gradients. View it at the size it will occupy on the home screen. Put the same silhouette on light and dark backgrounds. If the needle merges into the ring, open the gap before adding details back.

Compare two theme palettes on an installed build

1. Prepare the monochrome layer using Android's adaptive icon guide. Check which resource the build actually references.
2. On a launcher that supports themed icons, toggle the setting and record what appears. Keep the OS version and launcher in the test notes.
3. Change the wallpaper to get a contrasting palette and check the shape again. Inspect the regular icon separately.

If the palette never changes, check the launcher support, setting and resource reference first. If the icon changes colors but becomes hard to read, revisit its negative space. Record the tested launcher and settings when approving the result.

For asset preparation, open the Tooliva tool. Run the acceptance checks in your own working files and target environment.