App previews — the short videos that autoplay at the top of your App Store product page — follow their own specification, separate from screenshots. Upload the wrong resolution or codec and App Store Connect rejects the file, just like it does with incorrectly sized screenshots.
This guide is the complete 2026 reference for app preview video specifications: accepted resolutions per device, duration, formats, and the rules that trip developers up. For the official source, see Apple's app preview specifications.
The Core Rules #
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15–30 seconds |
| Maximum file size | 500 MB |
| Frame rate | Up to 30 fps |
| Previews per device size | Up to 3, per locale |
| Orientation | Portrait or landscape (Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro: landscape only) |
| Poster frame | Chosen in App Store Connect; defaults to the 5-second mark |
A few consequences worth calling out:
- 30 seconds is a hard ceiling. Plan your demo around 2–3 features, not a full tour.
- Up to 3 previews show alongside your screenshots — previews play first, so they set the first impression.
- Capture at 30 fps if you can. Converting 60 fps ProMotion captures down to 30 fps can stutter; recording at the target rate looks smoother.
Accepted Video Formats #
H.264 #
- Target bit rate: 10–12 Mbps (VBR)
- Progressive, up to High Profile Level 4.0
- File extensions:
.mov,.m4v,.mp4
Apple ProRes 422 (HQ only) #
- Target bit rate: ~220 Mbps (VBR)
- Progressive, no external references
- File extension:
.movonly
Audio #
- 256 kbps AAC (H.264), or 256 kbps AAC / PCM (ProRes)
- 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sample rate
- Stereo — and all audio tracks must be enabled
H.264 .mp4 is the practical choice for most developers: smaller files, faster uploads, and every screen recorder can produce it.
Accepted Resolutions by Device #
iPhone #
| Display size | Portrait | Landscape | Example devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.9" | 886 × 1920 | 1920 × 886 | iPhone 17 Pro Max, 16 Pro Max |
| 6.5" | 886 × 1920 | 1920 × 886 | iPhone 14 Plus, 11 Pro Max |
| 6.3" | 886 × 1920 | 1920 × 886 | iPhone 17 Pro, 16 Pro, 15 Pro |
| 6.1" | 886 × 1920 | 1920 × 886 | iPhone 16e, 14, 13 |
| 5.5" | 1080 × 1920 | 1920 × 1080 | iPhone 8 Plus |
| 4.7" | 750 × 1334 | 1334 × 750 | iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) |
Yes — the modern iPhone preview resolution really is 886 × 1920, which doesn't match any screenshot size or actual device resolution. Don't reuse screenshot dimensions for video.
iPad #
| Display size | Portrait | Landscape |
|---|---|---|
| 13" / 12.9" / 11" / 10.5" | 1200 × 1600 | 1600 × 1200 |
| 9.7" | 900 × 1200 | 1200 × 900 |
Mac, Apple TV, and Vision Pro #
| Platform | Resolution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mac | 1920 × 1080 | Landscape only, 16:9 |
| Apple TV | 1920 × 1080 | Landscape only, 16:9 |
| Apple Vision Pro | 3840 × 2160 | Landscape only, 16:9 |
Apple Watch #
App previews are not supported for watchOS apps. Screenshots are your only visual asset there — see our Apple Watch and Vision Pro screenshot sizes guide.
How Scaling Between Sizes Works #
Like screenshots, previews scale down: if you only provide a 6.9" preview, Apple uses it for the smaller iPhone sizes that lack their own. That means one portrait 886 × 1920 iPhone preview and one 1200 × 1600 iPad preview cover most of the matrix — a much lighter lift than it first appears.
Content Rules That Cause Rejections #
The technical spec is only half the requirement. App Review also checks that previews:
- Show the app itself. Screen captures of real app UI, not concept animations or live-action footage with no interface.
- Match the app's actual behavior. Features shown must exist in the submitted build.
- Are appropriate for a 4+ audience, regardless of your app's age rating — previews can autoplay to anyone browsing.
- Avoid pricing and time-limited claims that could become inaccurate.
Review the App Store Review Guidelines before you storyboard.
A Practical Production Workflow #
- Script 15–30 seconds around your strongest feature. The first 5 seconds matter most — that's also the default poster frame territory.
- Capture on device or simulator at the largest size per platform (6.9" iPhone, 13" iPad).
- Record at 30 fps, or export at 30 fps from your editor.
- Add captions rather than voiceover — many viewers browse muted.
- Export H.264
.mp4, 10–12 Mbps, stereo AAC audio track enabled (even if silent). - Upload in App Store Connect, set the poster frame, and preview on both light and dark backgrounds.
Previews and Screenshots Work as a Set #
Your previews play first, then browsers swipe into screenshots — so the two should tell one story: preview shows the app moving, screenshots let people linger on the details. If your screenshot set needs work first, that's usually the higher-leverage fix; screenshots do the conversion heavy lifting for the majority of visitors who never unmute a video.
Screenshot Studio handles that half of the equation: design once, export every required screenshot size for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, TV, and Vision Pro, localize the captions, and upload straight to App Store Connect — so the tedious part of your product page is done before you press record.
Conclusion #
App preview specs in one breath: 15–30 seconds, 500 MB max, 30 fps, H.264 or ProRes 422 HQ, 886 × 1920 for modern iPhones, 1200 × 1600 for iPad, 1080p for Mac and TV, 4K for Vision Pro, three per device size, no Watch support. Get those right and the technical review is a non-event — then spend your energy on the first five seconds.
And when the video's done, get the screenshots done in minutes instead of hours.