TL;DR
At minimum, every Google Play listing needs:
- 2 phone screenshots at minimum (max 8) — recommended
1080 × 1920 - 1 feature graphic — exactly
1024 × 500 - 1 hi-res icon — exactly
512 × 512
Tablet screenshots are optional unless your app is tablet-optimized, in which case they're strongly recommended.
Phone screenshots
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum count | 2 |
| Maximum count | 8 |
| Min dimension (any side) | 320 px |
| Max dimension (any side) | 3840 px |
| Max aspect ratio | 2:1 (longest side no more than 2× shortest) |
| Recommended resolution | 1080 × 1920 or 1080 × 2340 |
| Format | JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha) |
| Orientation | Portrait or landscape (portrait preferred for phone) |
| File size max | 8 MB per screenshot |
Tablet screenshots
7-inch tablet
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Count | 1-8 (optional) |
| Min dimension | 320 px |
| Max dimension | 3840 px |
| Max aspect ratio | 2:1 |
| Recommended | 1200 × 1920 portrait or 1920 × 1200 landscape |
10-inch tablet
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Count | 1-8 (optional, recommended for tablet-optimized apps) |
| Min dimension | 320 px |
| Max dimension | 3840 px |
| Max aspect ratio | 2:1 |
| Recommended | 1600 × 2560 portrait or 2560 × 1600 landscape |
Feature graphic (1024×500) — required
The feature graphic is the banner image shown at the top of your Play Store listing and in promotional placements throughout Google Play. It is required for every app.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1024 × 500 (exact) |
| Format | JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha) |
| File size | Up to 15 MB |
| Content rules | No alpha, no device frames recommended, text should be minimal (may be cropped on TV) |
| Safe zone | Keep key text and imagery within the center ~80% of the image |
| Best practices | Strong single focal point, high contrast, readable at small sizes, no small text |
Common mistake: designing a feature graphic with dense text at the edges. Google may crop the edges for display on different screen sizes. Keep key content within the center 2:1 safe zone.
The feature graphic appears at the top of your Play Store listing, in search results on some devices, and in editorial collections. It is the single most important visual asset after your app icon. A strong feature graphic can increase install conversion by 15-30% compared to a weak one.
Hi-res app icon
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 512 × 512 (exact) |
| Format | 32-bit PNG with alpha |
| File size | Up to 1 MB |
| Shape | Google applies its own mask — design works full-bleed square; corners will be auto-rounded |
Promo graphic (optional, legacy)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 180 × 120 |
| Format | JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha) |
| Status | Legacy — no longer displayed in modern Play Store. You can skip it. |
Android TV assets
| Asset | Dimensions | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| TV banner | 1280 × 720 | Required for Android TV apps |
| TV screenshot | 1920 × 1080 or 3840 × 2160, landscape only | Required — min 1, max 8 |
Wear OS assets
| Asset | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Square watch screenshot | 384 × 384 |
| Round watch screenshot | 454 × 454 circular |
PNG vs JPEG for Google Play
| Scenario | Recommended format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Photographic screenshots (games, travel, food) | JPEG | Smaller file size, smooth gradients, 8 MB limit is generous |
| UI-heavy screenshots (productivity, fintech, SaaS) | PNG | Sharp text, no compression artifacts on edges |
| Feature graphic (1024×500) | Either | Keep under 15 MB; PNG if text-heavy, JPEG for photos |
| Hi-res icon (512×512) | 32-bit PNG | Required format; alpha channel allowed for transparency |
| Android TV banner | PNG or JPEG | No alpha; keep key content in center safe zone |
Format and upload rules
- No alpha channels on screenshots, feature graphic, or promo graphic. Use a solid background.
- No device frames are required but allowed on screenshots. Feature graphic should not use a phone frame (cropped at small sizes).
- Text must be legible at both the full display size and when cropped to square or 2:1.
- Localization — Google Play supports per-language screenshots and feature graphics. Upload per locale for top markets.
- Upload pipeline — Play Console's asset uploader accepts bulk drag-and-drop. Errors are usually format or dimension mismatches.
Google Play screenshot best practices
Google Play's listing layout differs from Apple's in key ways: screenshots appear in a horizontal carousel (not vertical), the feature graphic dominates the top of the page, and users see a truncated preview before expanding. Design accordingly.
Design the feature graphic first
The 1024×500 feature graphic is the first thing users see on your Play Store listing. It appears above the fold, before any screenshots. Treat it as your hero banner — one clear value proposition, your app name, and a visual that communicates what the app does. A strong feature graphic can lift install conversion by 15-30%.
- Keep key text in the center 80% — Google crops edges on some displays
- Use high contrast: dark text on light background or vice versa
- Include your app name or logo — users may see the feature graphic before the app name loads
- Avoid small text — it becomes illegible when the graphic is displayed at thumbnail size in search results
Optimize the first 2 screenshots for the carousel
Google Play shows screenshots in a horizontally-scrolling carousel. On most phones, 2 screenshots are visible above the fold before the user scrolls. These 2 frames account for the majority of the decision to tap "Install." Design them as a pair: frame 1 communicates the core value, frame 2 shows the key feature in action.
Use all 8 screenshot slots
Unlike Apple's vertical scroll, Google Play's horizontal carousel encourages browsing. Apps with 6-8 screenshots see 20-30% higher install conversion than apps with the minimum 2. Use the extra slots to show different features, use cases, or social proof — but maintain visual consistency across the set.
Localize for your top markets
Google Play supports per-language screenshots and feature graphics. Localizing for your top 3-5 markets can increase install conversion by 30-50% in those regions. Keep the same visual composition across locales — only translate the marketing text and adjust cultural references.
Common Google Play screenshot mistakes
- Ignoring the feature graphic. Many developers upload a placeholder or generic image. The feature graphic is the #1 visual asset on your Play Store listing — invest in it.
- Uploading only 2 screenshots. The minimum is 2, but apps with 6-8 screenshots convert significantly better. Use every slot.
- Text at the edges of the feature graphic. Google crops edges on different display sizes. Keep all important content in the center 80%.
- Using alpha/transparency. Google Play rejects screenshots with alpha channels. Export with a solid background.
- Inconsistent screenshot styles. Mixing design styles across screenshots signals low effort. Use the same background, font, and color palette across all 8.
- Not uploading tablet screenshots. If your app is tablet-optimized, missing tablet screenshots hurts your ranking for tablet users. Upload at least 2-3 tablet-specific frames.
- Using low-resolution images. While Google accepts 320px minimum, low-res screenshots look blurry on modern phones. Design at 1080×1920 or higher.
FAQ
What is the Google Play feature graphic size?
1024 × 500 pixels, exact. Required for every app. JPEG or 24-bit PNG with no alpha channel.
How many Google Play screenshots should I upload?
Upload 8 (the maximum) if you have the content. The first 2-3 matter most for conversion. Fewer is allowed (minimum 2), but more screenshots statistically correlate with higher install rates.
Can Google Play screenshots be landscape?
Yes, but portrait is typical for phone apps and displays better in Play Store listings. Games and video-editing apps often use landscape.
Do I need different screenshots for different languages?
Google Play supports per-language localization of screenshots and feature graphic. It's strongly recommended for your top 3-5 markets. Nuvex regenerates screenshots in other languages while keeping composition consistent.
Does Nuvex generate the feature graphic automatically?
Yes. The 1024×500 feature graphic is a first-class asset — generated alongside your screenshots in every project, not an afterthought.
Should I use PNG or JPEG for Google Play screenshots?
Use JPEG for photographic screenshots (games, travel, lifestyle) because file sizes stay small. Use PNG for UI-heavy screenshots (productivity, fintech, SaaS) to keep text sharp and free of compression artifacts. Both formats are accepted.
What size is the Android TV banner?
The Android TV banner must be 1280 × 720 pixels in landscape. It is required for any app that supports Android TV. Keep key text and imagery in the center safe zone because edges may be cropped on different TV screens.
Generate every Google Play asset in one run
Phone screenshots, tablet screenshots, and the 1024×500 feature graphic — all from one Nuvex generation. Designed to match, ready for Play Console upload.