App Store Preview Video Specifications (2026)
The current App Store preview requirements in one launch-ready checklist: duration, file size, codecs, accepted resolutions, upload limits, and the creative rules that keep your demo honest.
Quick answer
What are the App Store preview video specifications in 2026?
An App Store preview must be 15–30 seconds, no larger than 500 MB, and use H.264 or ProRes 422 HQ. H.264 uploads may be .mov, .m4v, or .mp4 at up to 30 fps; use an accepted device-specific resolution. You can upload up to three optional previews per supported device size and language.
- 15–30 seconds; 500 MB maximum
- H.264 or ProRes 422 HQ; up to 30 fps
- Up to three previews per device size and localization
- Portrait or landscape for iOS; landscape-only for macOS, tvOS, and visionOS
- Previews appear before screenshots on the product page
On this page
An App Store preview is the short product video that can autoplay ahead of your screenshots on an App Store product page and in search. It is optional, but it is not a place for a generic brand trailer: Apple expects a concise, representative demonstration of the app people can download today.
This page is the technical checklist. Pair it with our App Store screenshot size guide when you are packaging the rest of the listing.
App Store preview requirements: quick reference
| Requirement | Current specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 15 seconds minimum; 30 seconds maximum |
| File size | 500 MB maximum |
| Uploads | Up to 3 app previews per supported device size and language |
| H.264 container | .mov, .m4v, or .mp4 |
| ProRes container | .mov only; ProRes 422 HQ |
| Frame rate | 30 fps maximum |
| Orientation | Portrait or landscape for iOS; landscape only for macOS, tvOS, and visionOS |
| Default poster frame | 5-second mark; choose a custom poster frame after upload if needed |
Keep the final file inside 15–30 seconds and 500 MB. H.264 is the practical export for most teams; ProRes 422 HQ is accepted when you need a high-quality master.
Accepted iPhone preview resolutions
| Display class | Portrait | Landscape | Fallback behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.9, 6.5, 6.3, and 6.1-inch modern iPhone | 886×1920 | 1920×886 | Apple can scale an available larger matching preview |
| 5.5-inch iPhone | 1080×1920 | 1920×1080 | Scaled when a newer class preview is not supplied |
| 4.7-inch iPhone | 750×1334 | 1334×750 | Scaled from 5.5-inch when needed |
Apple groups modern 6.9-, 6.5-, 6.3-, and 6.1-inch iPhones around the same 886×1920 accepted preview raster; do not assume your screenshot pixel dimensions are also accepted video dimensions.
What to show in the first 30 seconds
- Open with the problem and most recognizable outcome in the first two seconds.
- Show a real in-app flow, using believable account data and the same UI customers receive.
- Move through one short story: promise → key action → result. Do not cram in every feature.
- End on a clear in-app result or return to the product’s core screen; the poster frame should still make sense without audio.
Preview video mistakes that cause rework
- A 10-second social cut or a 45-second demo: both miss Apple’s 15–30-second window.
- A 60 fps export: App Store Connect caps accepted previews at 30 fps.
- A video that shows unreleased features, invented UI, misleading claims, or interfaces from another platform.
- Tiny marketing text that cannot be read on a phone product page.
- Treating the video as independent from the first screenshots instead of continuing the same promise.
App Store preview production checklist
Export and upload an App Store preview
Use this compact delivery flow to avoid a last-minute App Store Connect rejection.
Plan one customer story
Choose one outcome and one representative flow. Write the beat sheet before recording.
Record a clean device session
Use a current build, filled realistic data, and a stable orientation. Remove system notifications and sensitive account information.
Edit to 15–30 seconds
Lead with the value, trim pauses, and make silent viewing understandable. Keep claims grounded in the version under review.
Export Apple-compatible media
Use H.264 at 30 fps or less, 10–12 Mbps target bitrate, accepted dimensions, and a supported container. Keep the file under 500 MB.
Upload, select the poster frame, and check the full listing
In App Store Connect, upload under the relevant device and localization. Review the preview beside the first screenshots before submission.
Frequently asked questions
Are App Store preview videos required?
No. They are optional. Screenshots are required, but Apple allows up to three previews per supported device size and language.
How long can an App Store preview be?
It must run at least 15 seconds and no more than 30 seconds.
Can an App Store preview be vertical?
Yes for iOS: Apple accepts portrait and landscape previews. macOS, tvOS, and visionOS previews must be landscape.
Do app previews appear before screenshots?
Yes. On iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV product pages, a preview precedes screenshots even if you reorder the media.
Free tools that help here
ASO Character Counter
Count characters for every App Store and Google Play metadata field against exact store limits. Live counts and over-limit warnings - nothing gets truncated at submission.
Screenshot Beautifier
Add polished backgrounds, padding, shadows, and rounded corners to any screenshot in seconds. Perfect for social posts, docs, and portfolios.
Make the preview and screenshots tell one story
AppGrowthKit turns real product screens into on-brand App Store and Google Play screenshot sets, with editable layers and store-ready exports.
Try AppGrowthKit for Free