How do I create custom tab bar icons?

Is Apple HIG guideline on tappable UI element inconsistent?

• Apple HIG suggests that "44 x 44 points is the comfortable minimum size of a tappable UI element." However, under "Icons and Image Sizes" section in iOS 7 Apple HIG (or "Custom Icon and Image Creation Guidelines" section in iOS 6 Apple HIG), toolbar and navigation bar icons are suggested to be about 44 x 44 pixels (not points) for Retina version, which is 22 x 22 points. I could give other examples such as 60 x 60 pixels for Tab bar icons, but I'm just curious to know why there are such obvious inconsistencies for tappable elements, and know what's the actual suggested sizes for tab bar, toolbar, and nav bar icons.

• Answer:

  You are obviously getting confused with the size of the tappable area and the size of the icon itself. For example, the bottom tab-bar icons are of 30x30 points however the tappable area of each tab-bar icon is 64x64 points. (320/5) The icon size can be as small as 10x10 points as long as the tappable area is 44x44 points. Apple HIG is really good and I have never came across any inconsistencies. This is purely from my understanding and my experience.