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App Store preview video specs 2026: sizes, length, how-to
Apple's current app preview rules — 15–30 s, 886×1920 for modern iPhones, 1200×1600 for iPad, H.264 at 30 fps — and how to export a compliant file.
App previews are the short videos at the top of an App Store product page. They autoplay muted, they are the first thing a browsing user sees, and Apple is strict about their format: wrong resolution or wrong length and App Store Connect rejects the upload. This page lists the current requirements from Apple's specification, then shows how to produce a compliant file from a device-mockup scene in OpenMock.
The rules that get files rejected
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 15 to 30 seconds |
| Frame rate | 30 fps |
| Codec | H.264 (High Profile Level 4.0, 10–12 Mbps VBR) or ProRes 422 HQ |
| Container | .mp4, .mov or .m4v |
| Audio | 256 kbps AAC stereo, 44.1 or 48 kHz (a silent track is fine) |
| File size | Up to 500 MB |
| Count | Up to 3 previews per device size, per localization |
| Poster frame | Chosen by you in App Store Connect; defaults to the 5-second mark |
| Orientation | Portrait or landscape for iPhone and iPad; landscape only for Mac and Apple TV |
Accepted resolutions by device
Apple does not accept arbitrary sizes; each display class has exactly one portrait and one landscape resolution.
| Display | Portrait | Landscape |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 6.9" (17 Pro Max, 16 Pro Max…) | 886 × 1920 | 1920 × 886 |
| iPhone 6.5" | 886 × 1920 | 1920 × 886 |
| iPhone 6.3" (17 Pro, 17, 16 Pro…) | 886 × 1920 | 1920 × 886 |
| iPhone 6.1" | 886 × 1920 | 1920 × 886 |
| iPhone 5.5" | 1080 × 1920 | 1920 × 1080 |
| iPhone 4.7" | 750 × 1334 | 1334 × 750 |
| iPad 13" / 12.9" / 11" / 10.5" | 1200 × 1600 | 1600 × 1200 |
| iPad 9.7" | 900 × 1200 | 1200 × 900 |
| Mac | — | 1920 × 1080 |
| Apple TV | — | 1920 × 1080 |
| Apple Vision Pro | — | 3840 × 2160 |
Two things surprise people. First, every modern iPhone size takes the same 886 × 1920 file — you make one iPhone preview and upload it to each size slot. Second, that is not a 9:16 frame: 886 × 1920 is roughly 19.5:9, the iPhone's own aspect ratio, so a 1080 × 1920 export will be rejected for the 6.9-inch slot (it is the 5.5-inch size).
What the preview may show
Apple's App Store Review Guidelines require previews to reflect the app in use — footage of the actual app, not concept animation, and not misleading about features. Screenshots may be marketing compositions; previews are held closer to the product. In practice:
- Footage captured from the app itself, on device or simulator, must be the substance of the video.
- Text overlays, transitions and a short branded close are common and accepted.
- Heavy device framing is a judgement call. Many teams keep the store preview close to a clean UI capture and save the cinematic 3D version for ads, Product Hunt and social. Check the current guidelines (section 2.3) before submitting a heavily framed preview.
Making a compliant preview in OpenMock
- Record the app on device at native resolution, 15–20 seconds of the key interaction. iOS Screen Recording output imports directly.
- Set the canvas. In OpenMock's top bar pick 9:16 for iPhone (you will export at Apple's exact size in step 6) or 3:4 for iPad.
- Choose how much device to show. For a clean, guideline-safe preview, use the frameless screen mode or a straight-on iPhone filling the frame so the UI is the content. For a marketing-forward preview, an iPhone 17 Pro with a gentle settle-in move — but read the guideline note above.
- Build 15–30 seconds on the timeline: a 2–3 second reveal, a 10–20 second demo, a 2–3 second text/logo close. Watch the total — under 15 seconds is rejected as surely as over 30.
- Motion blur on low, no grain, no vignette: the preview plays small and re-encoded, so keep it clean.
- Export video with size set to Custom → 886 × 1920 (iPhone) or 1200 × 1600 (iPad), 30 fps. OpenMock's App Store Video presets are 1920 × 1080 and 1080 × 1920 — those match the Mac and 5.5-inch iPhone slots; for current iPhones and iPads use the custom sizes above. Export in Pro for a watermark-free file; a watermarked preview will not pass review.
- Upload in App Store Connect under each iPhone size, pick a poster frame that shows the app clearly, and add a localized version if your app is.
Tips from rejected uploads
- Length is checked to the frame. Aim for 20–25 seconds so trimming during upload cannot push you under 15.
- Resolution is checked exactly. 886 × 1920, not 888 × 1920. Type the numbers.
- Silence is fine; music is licensed. If you add an audio clip, make sure you have the rights — store review does look.
- No competitor devices or logos, and no pricing claims that could go stale.
- Poster frame matters more than the video for users who never tap play; choose a frame where the UI is readable.
FAQ
What size is an App Store preview video for iPhone?
886 × 1920 (portrait) or 1920 × 886 (landscape) for every current iPhone size — 6.9, 6.5, 6.3 and 6.1 inch. Only the legacy 5.5-inch slot takes 1080 × 1920.
How long can an App Store preview be?
Between 15 and 30 seconds inclusive. Shorter or longer files are rejected by App Store Connect.
Can an app preview have a device frame around the app?
Apple requires previews to show the app in use; light framing and text are common, but the footage must be the real app. If in doubt, keep the store preview close to a clean capture and use the framed 3D version elsewhere.
Do I need separate previews for each iPhone size?
No — one 886 × 1920 file works for all current iPhone sizes; upload it to each slot. iPad needs its own 1200 × 1600 (or 1600 × 1200) file.
Can OpenMock export exactly 886 × 1920?
Yes. In the video export choose Custom and enter 886 × 1920 at 30 fps. Use Pro so the file has no watermark.
Specifications from Apple's App Store Connect help, checked September 2026. Apple updates these when new devices ship — re-check before a submission.