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App Store launch requirements by Apple platform

Compare iPhone, iPad, and Mac App Store launch requirements, screenshot specifications, previews, records, testing, and Universal Purchase behavior in one current reference.

8 minVerified

In brief

iPhone and iPad share an iOS platform version in App Store Connect, while macOS is added as another platform. Metadata and commerce can span the app record, but screenshots, builds, testing, and some product-page information remain platform-specific.

On this page
  1. Platform comparison
  2. Metadata model
  3. Screenshot requirements
  4. Preview requirements
  5. Submission model
  6. Primary sources

iPhone, iPad, and Mac at a glance

RequirementiPhoneiPadMac
App Store Connect platformiOSiOS — shared with iPhonemacOS — add to the app record
Required screenshot setAt least one current required iPhone size13-inch when the app supports iPadAt least one accepted 16:10 Mac size
Accepted screenshot range1–10 per device size and localization1–10 per device size and localization1–10 per localization
App previewsOptional; up to 3 per supported size/languageOptional; up to 3 per supported size/languageOptional; up to 3, landscape only
Separate Add Platform stepNo — the initial iOS platformNoYes, for a native or Mac Catalyst Mac version
App SandboxNot the Mac App Sandbox requirementNot the Mac App Sandbox requirementRequired for Mac App Store distribution
Creative priorityFast scan and immediate valueLarge canvas, multitasking, inputDesktop workflow, depth, continuity

The metadata model

App Store Connect holds both app-level information and platform-version information. The app name and subtitle are app-level, with current 30-character limits. Each platform version contains its own release and product-page information such as screenshots, app previews, promotional text, description, keywords, support URL, marketing URL, version, copyright, What’s New text, and review notes.

App level

Identity
Name, subtitle, bundle relationship, categories
Trust
Privacy answers should cover every platform

iOS version

Delivery
One iOS platform version supports iPhone and iPad
Creative
Device-specific screenshot and preview sets

macOS version

Delivery
Added as a platform with its own build
Creative
Mac description, promotional text, screenshots, and optional previews

Apple App Store

App name

30characters

Localized and editable only when the app version status permits it.

Official source ↗

Apple App Store

Subtitle

30characters

A concise summary shown beneath the app name.

Official source ↗

Apple App Store

Promotional text

170characters

Conversion copy that can be updated independently of a new version.

Official source ↗

Apple App Store

Keywords

100UTF-8 bytes

Comma-separated terms; Unicode characters can consume more than one byte.

Official source ↗

Apple App Store

Description

4000characters

Visible product-page copy. The first sentence should explain the product before the text is expanded.

Official source ↗

Apple App Store

What’s New

4000characters

Customer-facing release notes for the version being submitted.

Official source ↗

Current screenshot requirements

  • Count: Apple accepts 1–10 screenshots per applicable device size and localization.
  • File type: JPEG, JPG, or PNG, without alpha transparency.
  • iPhone: at least one screenshot in the current required “iPhone with Dynamic Island (medium display)” set.
  • iPad: a 13-inch iPad screenshot is required when the app supports iPad.
  • Mac: a required 16:10 screenshot using 1280 × 800, 1440 × 900, 2560 × 1600, 2880 × 1800.

App preview requirements

App previews are optional. Apple permits up to three per supported device size and language. Mac app previews must be landscape. Preview availability and accepted delivery details depend on the device and App Store Connect context, so validate the final upload there.

Builds and submissions remain platform-specific

iPhone and iPad ship through the iOS platform version. A related Mac app uses a macOS platform version and separate build. Apple allows one app-version submission per platform at a time; items for different platforms are not combined into one submission.

For Universal Purchase, use the same app record and bundle ID. Platform version and build numbers may differ. After approval on at least two platforms, Apple says the Universal Purchase remains and the platform version cannot be removed.

Primary Apple sources

These are the pages to recheck before a launch. The surrounding guides translate them into working decisions without hiding the source.

Shipping Mac?Open the Mac guide →Shipping iPhone?Open the iPhone guide →Supporting iPad?Open the iPad guide →