Guide
Google Play vs App Store screenshots: requirements compared
A side-by-side reference for the differences between Apple's App Store and Google Play screenshot rules — dimensions, counts, formats, and review behaviour.
The two stores share the goal — show the app off to potential users — but their constraints differ in ways that affect production. Apple enforces fixed pixel dimensions per device class. Google enforces an aspect-ratio range and lets you decide the exact pixels. The table below maps every meaningful difference.
Side-by-side comparison
| Requirement | App Store | Google Play |
|---|---|---|
| Required screenshot count | At least 1 per required device size | At least 2 phone screenshots |
| Maximum per language | 10 per device size | 8 per form factor |
| Primary phone size | 1290 × 2796 (iPhone 6.7") | 1080 × 1920 (recommended) |
| Primary tablet size | 2048 × 2732 (iPad 12.9") | 1800 × 2560 (10" tablet) |
| Aspect ratio rule | Fixed per device | Max 2:1, sides 320–3840 px |
| Orientation | Portrait or landscape, must match per set | Portrait or landscape, mixed allowed |
| File formats | PNG or high-quality JPEG | PNG or 24-bit JPEG |
| Color space | sRGB or P3, RGB | sRGB, no alpha channel |
| File size cap | No published cap (keep under 5 MB) | 8 MB per file |
| Marketing text overlays | Allowed; must reflect actual app | Allowed; no misleading claims |
| Per-language sets | Yes, fully separate per locale | Yes, fully separate per locale |
| Update without resubmit | Yes (since 2023) | Yes, in Play Console |
Production tradeoffs
For Apple, the fixed dimensions mean you need a separate canvas size for each required device — typically 1290×2796 and 2048×2732 — and Apple derives smaller sizes automatically. For Google, you can use a single 1080×1920 canvas for phone screenshots across all Android devices, which simplifies design but trades flexibility for consistency.
Localization differences
Both stores support per-language screenshot sets, but Apple makes you upload a full set per locale (per device size), while Google lets you translate per form factor. If you ship to 10 markets, that's roughly 10 × 4 = 40 sets for Apple and 10 × 1 = 10 sets for Google at minimum. AI translation tools cut this from days of work to minutes by reusing the same visual layout with translated headlines.
Review and rejection patterns
Apple rejects screenshots that show pricing, stars, awards, or device chrome (status bars are fine if they reflect the live app). Google rejects screenshots that promise functionality the app doesn't deliver, that show competing brand marks, or that include explicit calls to download the app — the screenshot itself counts as the promotion.