Why the iPhone Home Screen needs a separate icon
The icon saved with a website on an iPhone is not simply the small browser-tab ICO enlarged. Prepare a separate asset and test the actual Add to Home Screen flow.
Create a dedicated PNG
Export a square PNG from the original artwork, not from a tiny favicon. A 180×180 asset is a common starting point for iPhone; check Apple’s guidance for the devices you support. Give it an intentional background and spacing, then preview the rounded presentation. An ICO is not a substitute for this PNG.
Declare the touch icon on the page
Use rel="apple-touch-icon" with the PNG’s real URL, as shown below. Verify the published HTML, especially if your CMS inserts its own icon tags. The file must be reachable from the public page; a local editor path or a broken subdirectory path will not work on the phone.
Test a fresh Home Screen shortcut
After updating, remove the old test shortcut and add the site again on a real supported device. Compare the saved icon with the PNG URL, not only with the browser tab. IcoJet exports ICO files; create the touch PNG in your image editor and keep it alongside the ICO in your delivery folder.
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">