Understand the two-layer model
Adaptive icons separate foreground artwork from a background. Launchers can apply circles, rounded squares, squircles, or device-specific masks, so the visible silhouette is not fully under your control.
Keep the essential symbol in the centre and treat the outer area as breathing room. A logo pushed into a corner can be clipped or feel crowded on real launchers.
Design for reduction
Test the icon at a small launcher size before adding decorative detail. If the product can be identified from the silhouette and a few primary shapes, it will usually remain legible after downscaling.
Do not bake a long product name, store badge, or short-lived promotion into the icon.
Prepare for release
Keep a high-resolution master, a foreground-safe version, and approved background colors. Export from the master, then check resource names and adaptive-icon XML in Android Studio. Test on a device or emulator and verify current Play Console requirements before publishing.