Weird iPad icon after installation

Question

Weird iPad icon after installation

I just downloaded the Australian National Public Toilet App to my computer and dragged it to my iPad to install. Whilst the icon had the right artwork during installation, it changed to a grey gridded square with an X through the middle and a series of concentric circles superimposed over that. I did not lose any internet connection and have tried several approaches including downloading straight to iPad, resetting using Home and Sleep buttons and deleting it and reinstalling it. Does anyone have an idea what might be causing it?

iPad Mini, iOS 9.3.3

Posted on Jul 23, 2016 3:05 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 23, 2016 12:35 PM in response to sarah_frances

iTunes does not support drag and drop.

Delete there app then download it directly from the App Store on your iPad.

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Answer 2

Jul 23, 2016 2:27 PM in response to sarah_frances

This icon appears anytime you install a native iPhone "only" app onto an iPad. Basically, unless the app is developed specifically for iPad or has the + sign on iTunes (which means its designed for iPhone+iPad), it will show "no icon" icon (the one you described is basically Apple's sign that there's no icon available for that app).

The reason the "no icon" icon appears is because when developers upload apps to the iTunes app store, they essentially have to have separate icons for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV. If the developer doesn't make a platform specific icon, the "no icon" icon will appear.

At least, that's how I understand it.

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Answer 3

Jul 23, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

I also downloaded it directly from the App Store as another option and the same thing happened.

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Answer 4

Jul 23, 2016 5:34 PM in response to HockeyCoachBen

I have several other apps which are iPhone only but their icons appear perfectly fine. Qantas Cash App and Endeavour Energy just to name a couple. I also checked the compatibility information for the app in question and it says it runs on iPad.

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Answer 5

bobseufert

Level 6

15,904 points

Jul 24, 2016 6:03 AM in response to sarah_frances

Usually the app icon you have means the app failed to download properly. Resetting your iPad, deleting and reinstalling the app, or transferring the app from your computer usually fix the problem. Since you already did all that and the app is working properly the next step is to contact the app developer to see if other people are having the same problem.

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Answer 6

Jul 24, 2016 5:11 AM in response to sarah_frances

Hi

Go to settings - safari delete web history /data.

Cheers

Brian

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Answer 7

Jul 24, 2016 6:04 AM in response to Briansyddall

Unfortunately, clearing the history did not do anything.

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Answer 8

Jul 24, 2016 6:05 AM in response to bobseufert

Thank you. Do you know of anyone else who has had this happen with any other app?

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Answer 9

Jul 24, 2016 4:56 PM in response to sarah_frances

I, too, have some iPhone only apps on my iPad that the icons show. And I have two apps where the "no icon" icon shows. As I said before, there is nothing wrong with the app...it did install correctly and should work correctly. It just means that the developer of the app chose not to make an iPad icon as recommended by Apple. You can contact the developer and let them know you use their app on iPad and want an icon. That's the only fix that exists.

Read this article addressed to developers where it specifically mentions that developers need to create like 8 different icons across various Apple products...

https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/qa/qa1686/_index.html

Even more specifically, this passage from the section titled "iPhone Only apps"...

76x76

Icon-76.png

Home screen on iPad

Optional but recommended

Here's another help article for developers stating that app icons must be created for all platforms...this developer even asked about the situation where he created an app where the icon shows on iPhone but not on iPad...

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/21305009/app-icon-not-shown-on-ipad

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Answer 10

bobseufert

Level 6

15,904 points

Jul 24, 2016 12:48 PM in response to sarah_frances

You're welcome. Google ipad weird gray icon and you'll find plenty including me. It the basic architect of the apps. All apps have to fit inside of that basic design. If it's a widespread problem the app developer will have to issue an update to correct it. Until then as long as the app works correctly you have nothing to worry about.

What is the grey icon with a cross and circles on my homepage? I cannot remove it

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