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Apple and Google have certain guidelines that you need to follow in order to get your app listed without any hiccups!
If you’d like to know how to get the store listing process started with Mobimint, head over to this article to learn more!
Apple
App name
- Simple, catchy, compelling and easy-to-understand
- Communicate the key purpose of your app
- 30 characters long
- Differ from competitors’ app names
- Exclude generic terms, popular app titles, special characters (e.g. #, @), prices, as well as celebrity names, trademarked terms and other protected words
Subtitle
- Should encourage users to explore your product page and download your app
- Limited to 30 characters
- Shouldn’t include generic descriptions, for example, “world’s best app”
- Focus on your distinctive features or typical uses
- Should comply with App Store’s standard metadata rules
- Avoid misleading or false product claims or inappropriate content, and never exploit competitor’s apps by any means
Icon sizes
| Device or context | Icon size |
| iPhone | 180px × 180px (60pt × 60pt @3x)
120px × 120px (60pt × 60pt @2x) |
| iPad Pro | 167px × 167px (83.5pt × 83.5pt @2x) |
| iPad, iPad mini | 152px × 152px (76pt × 76pt @2x) |
| App Store | 1024px × 1024px (1024pt × 1024pt @1x) |
Icon attributes
- Format: PNG;
- Color space: sRGB or P3
- Layers: flattened with no transparency;
- Resolution: varies.
- Shape: square with no rounded corners.
Screenshot Technical
The highest resolution source for screenshots:
- For iPhones: upload 5.5-inch visuals;
- For iPads: upload 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
Screenshot sizes
| Display size (inches) | Device | Portrait orientation (pixels) | Landscape orientation (pixels) |
| iPhones | |||
| 6.5 | iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR |
1242 x 2688 | 2688 x 1242 |
| 5.8 | iPhone X
iPhone XS |
1125 x 2436 | 2436 x 1125 |
| 5.5 | iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 8 Plus |
1242 x 2208 | 2208 x 1242 |
| 4.7 | iPhone 6
iPhone 6s iPhone 7 iPhone 8 |
750 x 1334 | 1334 x 750 |
| 4 | iPhone SE | 640 x 1096 (without status bar)
640 x 1136 (with status bar) |
1136 x 600 (without status bar)
1136 x 640 (with status bar) |
| 3.5 | iPhone 4s | 640 x 920 (without status bar)
640 x 960 (with status bar) |
960 x 600 (without status bar)
960 x 640 (with status bar) |
| iPads | |||
| 12.9 | iPad Pro (3rd generation) | 2048 x 2732 | 2732 x 2048 |
| 12.9 | iPad Pro (2nd generation) | 2048 x 2732 | 2732 x 2048 |
| 11 | iPad Pro | 1668 x 2388 | 2388 x 1668 |
| 10.5 | iPad Pro | 1668 x 2224 | 2224 x 1668 |
| 9.7 | iPad
iPad mini |
High resolution:
1536 x 2008 (without status bar) 1536 x 2048 (with status bar) Standard resolution: 768 x 1004 (without status bar) 768 x 1024 (with status bar) |
High resolution:
2048 x 1496 (without status bar) 2048 x 1536 (with status bar) Standard resolution: 1024 x 748 (without status bar) 1024 x 768 (with status bar) |
App Previews
- Use the footage of the app in use, enhanced by graphic elements, textual or video overlays and narration, if the video requires additional explanation.
- Avoid using animated hands gesturing or real people navigating the device, as well as the caption of your app’s development;
- Since previews autoplay, it’s recommended to make the first few seconds visually engaging.
- The preview should be 15-30 seconds long;
- The maximum file size is 500MB;
- Upload 1-3 previews for each supported localization;
- Don’t rely on specific seasons or events, keep the videos general;
- Use a disclaimer at the end of a preview if your app requires to log in or subscribe, or if you demonstrate features which are only available on an in-app purchase basis;
- Avoid adult themes, objectionable content, profanity and violence, so that your previews comply with age restrictions – aged 4 and older;
- Never demonstrate protected content without licensing rights.
App Preview Specifications
Publishers can provide app previews in two formats – tH.264 and ProRes 422 (HQ only). In the table below you can find detailed video specifications:
| H.264 format | ProRes 422 (HQ only) format | |
| Target bit rate | 10-12 Mbps | VBR ~220 Mbps |
| Video characteristics | Progressive, up to High Profile Level 4.0 | Progressive, no external references |
| Max frame rate | 30 frames per second | 30 frames per second |
| Audio |
Stereo configuration:
|
Stereo configuration:
|
| Supported extensions | .mov, .m4v, .mp4 | .mov |
App Preview Resolutions
| Display size (inches) | Device | Native resolutions (pixels) | Accepted portrait resolutions
(pixels) |
Accepted landscape resolutions (pixels) |
| iPhones | ||||
| 6.5 | iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR |
2688 x 1242 (19.9:5 aspect ratio) | 886 x 1920 | 1920 x 886 |
| 5.8 | iPhone X
iPhone XS |
2436 x 1125 (19.5:9 aspect ratio) | 886 x 1920 | 1920 x 886 |
| 5.5 | iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 8 Plus |
2208 x 1242 (Rendered Pixels)
1920 x 1080 (Physical Pixels) (16:9 aspect ratio) |
1080 x 1920 | 1920 x 1080 |
| 4.7 | iPhone 6
iPhone 6s iPhone 7 iPhone 8 |
1334 x 750 (16:9 aspect ratio) | 750 x 1334 | 1334 x 750 |
| 4 | iPhone SE | 1136 x 640 | 1080 x 1920 | 1920 x 1080 |
| iPads | ||||
| 12.9 | iPad Pro (3rd generation) | 2732 x 2048 (4:3 aspect ratio) | 1200 x 1600 | 1600 x 1200 |
| 12.9 | iPad Pro (2nd generation) | 2732 x 2048 (4:3 aspect ratio) | 1200 x 1600
900 x 1200 |
1600 x 1200
1200 x 900 |
| 11 | iPad Pro | 2388 x 1668 (4.3:3 aspect ratio) | 1200 x 1600 | 1600 x 1200 |
| 10.5 | iPad Pro | 2224 x 1668 (4:3 aspect ratio) | 1200 x 1600 | 1600 x 1200 |
| 9.7 | iPad
iPad mini |
2048 x 1536 (4:3 aspect ratio) | 900 x 1200 | 1200 x 900 |
Description
- Keep it concise, informative and easy-to-understand;
- Stick to the tone of your brand;
- Avoid specific terms, keep it simple;
- Avoid keyword stuffing, otherwise, your app won’t pass the review;
- Don’t mention prices: pricing is already disclosed on your product page and may also differ across the supported localizations;
- Let users know about your awards, if any, but better do it at the end of the description.
Promotional Text
Limit to 170 characters
- Limit to 170 characters
What’s New
This section is intended to describe the updates introduced into the app. Starting from April 2018, the text in “What’s new” is subject to the App Review process by Apple, just as other product page elements. Thus, developers can change the contents of the section only after the new app version is submitted to the store.
In-App Purchases
The in-app purchase is a good channel to promote content which falls into one of the four types – Consumable, Non-Consumable, Auto-Renewable Subscription and Non-Renewing Subscription
Promotional image:
- Format: PNG or high-quality JPEG;
- Dimensions: 1024 x 1024 pixels. Make sure that the image cascades down to smaller sizes flawlessly;
- 72 dpi, RGB, flattened and no rounded corners;
- It should not resemble the icon and should not be a screenshot;
- Avoid using text in the image;
- Don’t place important details in the lower left corner: this is where your app’s icon is added to the promotional image when the in-app purchase is displayed in search results.
Display name:
- Try not to be generic. Lint the display name to your app, but keep it easy-to-understand;
- Character limit: 2-30;
- Auto-renewable subscriptions should have the duration specified.
Description:
- Character limit: up to 45;
- Outline the benefits of the offering, be concise and descriptive.
App icon
Your app icon is used in various locations on Google Play, including your store listing, search results, and top charts.
Requirements
- 32-bit PNG (with alpha)
- Dimensions: 512px by 512px
- Maximum file size: 1024KB
- Meets Google Play’s icon design specifications
Short Description
Your short description is the first text users see when looking at your app’s detail page on the Play Store app and can be expanded by users to view your app’s full description.
Your short description can appear in locations beyond your store listing, so any user should be able to use it to quickly understand the core purpose of your app or game.
Requirements
- JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha)
- Dimensions: 1024px by 500px
- Use graphics that convey app or game experiences, and highlight the core value proposition, relevant context, or story-telling elements if needed.
- Do not use prominent branding that is similar to your app icon, as this will cause duplications when shown in context with your app icon. Optimize for branding elements that serve as an extension of your app icon.
- Avoid overloading the graphic with fine details. These will not be visible on many phone screens.
- Place content to prioritize key elements and avoid cutoff zones.
- Some formats may use additional UI overlays. Failure to comply with the focal point and cutoff zones may result in ineligibility to appear in these formats.
- Restrict background elements to the edges of the graphic.
- Consider using more vibrant colors in your graphics to build interest and excitement, and avoid using pure white or dark gray. These colors can blend in with the Play Store background.
- Use a similar or complementary color theme and style in the feature graphic, app icon, and in the app itself, so users can immediately associate them with your app and brand.
- Avoid using pure white, black, or dark gray as these colors can easily blend in with Google Play’s background.
- Localize your graphic and branding text as appropriate for different markets and languages.
- Avoid any content that reflects or suggests Google Play performance, ranking, user testimonials, accolades or awards, or price and promotional information. For example, do not use words like “Best,” “#1,” “Top,” “New,” “Free,” “Discount,” “Sale,” or “Million Downloads.”
- Avoid time-sensitive content that can become outdated quickly to reduce the need to update.
- Time-bound content (like holiday-specific updates) should be swapped in and out in a timely manner.
- Avoid inappropriate or repetitive image elements, such as:
- Third-party trademarked characters or logos without proper permission.
- Device imagery (as this can become obsolete quickly or alienate some users).
- Google Play or any other store’s badge or icon.
Screenshots
Screenshots may be displayed throughout Google Play, for instance in search or on the homepage, in addition to your store listing on Google Play. When Google Play displays both your preview video and screenshots together, for example on your store listing page, and if your preview video is available then your screenshots will be shown after the preview video, followed left-to-right by the screenshots best suited for the device the user is browsing on.
Requirements
- JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha)
- Minimum dimension: 320px
- Maximum dimension: 3840px
- The maximum dimension of your screenshot can’t be more than twice as long as the minimum dimension.
- A minimum of four screenshots is required for both apps and games.
Highly Recommended
- Some sections of Google Play show groups of recommended apps and games in a large format using screenshots. To be eligible for recommendations in formats that use screenshots, the following guidelines are a requirement:
- For apps, you must provide at least four screenshots with minimum 1080px resolution. These should be 16:9 for landscape (minimum 1920x1080px) screenshots and 9:16 for portrait screenshots (minimum 1080x1920px).
- For games you must provide at least three 16:9 landscape screenshots (minimum 1920x1080px) or three 9:16 portrait screenshots (minimum 1080x1920px). Make sure that these screenshots depict the in-game experience so users can get a sense of what the gameplay will be like if they download and play
- Screenshots must demonstrate the actual in-app or in-game experience, focusing on the core features and content so users can anticipate what the app or game experience will be like.
- Use captured footage of the app or game itself. Do not include people interacting with the device (for example, fingers tapping on the device), unless the core gameplay or app usage is off-device.
- Stylized screenshots that break UI across multiple uploaded images are allowed, but prioritize UI in the first three screenshots as much as possible.
- Add taglines only if necessary to convey the key characteristics of the app or game. Taglines should not take up more than 20% of the image.
- Do not include any content that reflects or suggests Google Play performance, ranking, accolades or awards, user testimonials, or price and promotional information. For example, do not use words like “Best,” “#1,” “Top,” “New,” “Discount,” “Sale,” or “Million Downloads.”
- Avoid adding any form of call-to-action, for example, “Download now,” “Install now,” “Play now,” or “Try now.”
- Avoid overloading the screenshot with text in small font sizes or backgrounds that compete with the text. These will not be visible on many phone screens.
- Avoid time-sensitive taglines or content that can become outdated quickly to reduce the need to update.
- Time-bound content (like holiday-specific updates) should be swapped in and out in a timely manner.
- Localize your graphic and branding text as appropriate for different markets and languages.
- In-game UI does not need to be localized per market, but any additional taglines or text overlays should be localized.
- Edit excess elements in the notification bar before submitting. Do not show service providers or notifications. The battery, WiFi, and cell service logos should be full.
- Use high-quality images with the proper aspect ratio.
- Do not include screenshots that are blurry, distorted, or pixelated in a way that is not an intentional aspect of your brand.
- Do not include images that are stretched or compressed.
- Rotate screenshots appropriately. Do not upload images upside down, sideways, or otherwise skewed.
- Avoid inappropriate or repetitive image elements, such as:
- Third-party trademarked characters or logos without proper permission.
- Device imagery (as this can become obsolete quickly or alienate some users).
- Google Play or any other store’s badge or icon.
Preview Video
Your preview video is displayed before your screenshots on your app’s store listing on Google Play. Users can watch your preview video by tapping on the play button that overlays on your feature graphic.
In addition, the following may apply to how your preview video can appear on Google Play:
- Your preview video may also be displayed on both home and search pages.
- Your preview video may autoplay inline with muted audio up to 30 seconds depending on the user device, setting, network connection, and surface area. Whenever your video does not autoplay, a play button is overlaid on your feature graphic.
- For games, some sections of Google Play show groups of recommended games in a large format using preview videos.
Requirements
- Disable ads for your video to be shown on Google Play. When users browse Google Play, we want them to see a video about your app, not someone else’s ad, as this can be confusing for users. To disable ads, you’ll need to:
- Turn off monetization in your video, or
- Upload a different video without monetization claims and update the URL in Play Console.
Important: If your video uses copyrighted content, turning off monetization for your video may not be enough to prevent ads. In that case, you will need to use a different video (without copyrighted content that has monetization claims).
- Set your video’s privacy setting to public or unlisted. Do not set it to private.
- Do not use an age-restricted video.
- Make sure that your video is embeddable on Google Play.
Highly recommended
- Your video should set the right expectations and demonstrate the value of your app or game over similar titles.
- Show the actual in-app or in-game experience, focusing on the core features and content as early as possible within the first 10 seconds of the video.
- Aim for at least 80% of the video to be representative of the user experience.
- Limit title screens, logos, cutscenes, or other pre-rendered or promotional content.
- When using pre-rendered footage, cutscenes and graphical assets should be accessory to and supportive of the actual in-game experience.
- Keep your videos short and concise because only the first 30 seconds autoplays. Users can continue watching the full video by tapping it but we recommend keeping your video short.
- Do not include people interacting with the device (for example, fingers tapping on the device), unless the core gameplay or app usage is off-device.
- Make sure that your video is of high production quality with a high level of polish. Your video does not need to be professionally made, but the pacing, visual effects, sound effects/music, transitions and text overlays should be smooth and work seamlessly together.
- Create a video in landscape orientation rather than a portrait orientation, as your video will show in a landscape video player.
- Even if your app or game is in portrait orientation, create a landscape video that is zoomed in to the app or game experience.
- Do not leave black bars on either side of a portrait video.
- Consider using copy to give the user context if the video is muted (for example, when autoplayed). When using copy:
- Do not include any content that reflects or suggests Google Play performance, ranking, accolades or awards, user testimonials, or price and promotional information. For example, do not use words like “Best,” “#1,” “Top,” “New,” “Discount,” “Sale,” or “Million Downloads.” Awards from Google Play such as “Best Of” are allowed to be displayed.
- Do not use call-to-actions, for example, “Download now,” “Install now,” “Play now,” or “Try now.”
- Make sure that the text is legible by using readable fonts, proper font size, and displaying the text long enough for the user to read it.
- Avoid time-sensitive content or taglines that can become outdated quickly to reduce the need to update.
- Time-bound content (like holiday-specific updates) should be swapped in and out in a timely manner.
- Properly localize the video including the UI, taglines, and audio.
Having trouble coming up with ideas for your descriptions? We’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a few templates for you to use or take inspiration from or just use as a reference. Head over to the article now!