Can we use VectorDrawable or VectorXML as icons for push notifications in android?

VectorDrawables will only work as notification icons for versions higher than (or equal to) Android Lollipop - i.e. API 21.

I know this because I did try using .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.my_vector) as shown in one of the other answers here, and although this works perfectly fine for API 21 and above, I got the following error for versions prior to Lollipop:

android.app.RemoteServiceException: Bad notification posted from package com.example.app: Couldn't create icon: StatusBarIcon(pkg=com.example.appuser=0 id=0x7f02005a level=0 visible=true num=0 )

There are also other answers on Stack Overflow supporting this argument:

• One by CommonsWare
• Another by ianhanniballake

Can we use VectorDrawable or VectorXML as icons for push notifications?

Yes, just call the vector drawable the standard way for notifications:

.setSmallIcon(R.drawable.my_vector)

In order to use the transparency (notification icons are only white and/or transparent), you will have to use the alpha channels when settings the colors in the vector XML, meaning #00000000 for transparent and #FFFFFFFF for white.

UPDATE 2020

Yes, it is definitely possible. But let Android Studio take care of icon creation. Otherwise you will be at risk of not supporting older Android versions (check other answers).

So how to create the right files with Android Studio:

1. Right click on a file on the left side of Android studio
2. New > Image Assets
3. Icon Type > Notification Icons

5. Select a vector image (.svg for example)

Android studio will create all the correct files needed.