Users have a different set of expectations when watching TV, compared to using a phone or tablet. A typical TV user sits about 10 feet away from the screen, so small details are less noticeable and small text is hard to read. Since users sit away from a TV, they must use a remote control device to navigate and make selections rather than touching elements on screen. These differences significantly change the requirements for what makes a good TV user experience.
The first step toward creating a great experience for TV users is to review and follow the Android TV design guidelines, which provides instructions on how to build the best user experience for TV apps. You should also review the Building TV Apps training, to understand the basic implementation requirements for a TV app.
Important: To ensure a great user experience, apps for TV devices must meet some specific requirements for usability. Only apps that meet the following quality criteria will qualify as an Android TV app on Google Play.
Note: You will be able to submit TV apps to Google Play with the public release of Android 5.0 on November 3. Stay tuned for more information about how to submit your TV apps through the Google Play Developer Console.
These criteria ensure that your app follows critical design and interaction patterns to ensure a consistent, intuitive, and enjoyable user experience on TV devices.
| Type | Test | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Launcher | TV-LM |
App displays a launcher icon in the Android TV Launcher after installation. (Learn how) |
| TV-LB |
App displays a 320px x 180px full-size banner as its launcher icon in the Android TV Launcher. (Learn how) |
|
| TV-BN |
App launch banner contains the name of the app. (Learn how) |
|
| TV-LG |
If the app is a game, it appears in the Games row in the Android TV Launcher. |
|
| Layout | TV-LO |
All app interfaces are presented in landscape orientation. (Learn how) |
| TV-TC |
App displays core text at 16sp or higher in size. (Learn how) |
|
| TV-TA |
App displays all text at 12sp or higher in size. (Learn how) |
|
| TV-OV |
App does not display any text or functionality that is partially cut off by the edges of the screen. (Learn how) |
|
| TV-TR |
App does not partially obscure other apps. App fills the entire screen and has a non-transparent background. |
|
| Navigation | TV-DP |
App functionality is navigable using 5-way D-pad controls, unless the app requires a gamepad controller as specified in TV-GP. (Learn how) |
| TV-DK |
If the app requires a game controller, as specified in TV-GP, all functionality is navigable using standard Android game controller keys. (Learn how) |
|
| TV-DM |
App does not depend on a remote controller having a menu button to access user interface controls. (Learn how) |
These criteria ensure that your app is configured correctly and provides expected functional behavior.
| Type | Test | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Manifest | TV-ML |
App manifest sets an intent type of {@code ACTION_MAIN} with category {@code CATEGORY_LEANBACK_LAUNCHER}. (Learn how) |
TV-MT |
App manifest sets the hardware feature {@code android.hardware.touchscreen} to not required. (Learn how) |
| Game Controllers | TV-GP |
If the app requires a game controller, the app manifest sets the {@code uses-feature} setting {@code android.hardware.gamepad} to {@code required="true"}. (Learn how) |
| TV-GC |
If the app provides user instructions for use of game controllers, the instructions do not include a controller with any branding. (Learn how) |
|
| Advertising | TV-AP |
App enables interaction with any advertising using D-pad controls. (Learn how) |
| TV-AD |
For advertising that uses full-screen, non-video ads, the app allows the user to immediately dismiss the ad with D-pad controls. |
|
| TV-AU |
For advertising that uses clickable, non-full screen, non-video ads, the app does not allow ads to link to a web URL. |
|
| TV-AA |
For advertising that uses clickable, non-full screen, non-video ads, the app does not allow ads to link to another app that is not available on TV devices. |
|
| Web Content | TV-WB |
For web content, the app uses {@link android.webkit.WebView} components and does not attempt to launch a web browser app. |
| Media Playback | TV-NP |
If the app continues to play sound after the user has left, the app provides a Now Playing card on the home screen recommendation row so users can return to the app to control playback. (Learn how) |
| TV-PA |
If the app provides a Now Playing card, selecting this card takes the user to a screen that allows playback to be paused. (Learn how) |
|
| TV-PP |
If the app plays video or music content, the app toggles between play and pause of media
playback when a play or pause key event is sent during playback. |
After I submit my app, how will find out if my app does not meet all the requirements for TV devices?
If your app does not meet the usability requirements described on this page, the Play Store team will contact you through the email address specified in main Google Play Developer Console account associated with the app.
Caution: Make sure your app includes the required manifest entries for TV devices, otherwise your app will not be considered a TV app and will not be reviewed for TV usability requirements.
My app targets more than just TV devices. If my app does not meet the TV device requirements, will my new or updated app still appear on Google Play for phones and tablets?
Yes. The requirements described above only restrict distribution to the Google Play Store on TV devices. Distribution to other device types, such as phones, tablets and other devices, is not affected.
If my app meets the publishing requirements, when will it be available in the Google Play Store on TV devices?
Apps that meet the requirements for TV will appear in the Google Play Store on TV devices after the official release of Android 5.0.