Submit your tvOS apps to the App Store
Build with Xcode 14.1
Build your apps using Xcode 14.1, which includes SDKs for all the latest Apple platforms. All libraries and frameworks used in tvOS apps must be built for tvOS, including any third-party libraries. Make sure your tvOS apps don’t link against frameworks or libraries built for iOS.
Please note that starting July 31, 2023, all tvOS apps submitted to the App Store must be built with Xcode 14.1 and tvOS 16.1 SDK or later.
Optimize for tvOS 16
With cross-device connectivity, you can integrate your tvOS app with your iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS app to unlock new experiences on Apple TV. Multiuser support makes it easier for people to enjoy your Apple TV app with improved system integration for user profiles. With credentials stored in a shared keychain, users won’t need to sign in and choose their profile every time they launch your app. Customize your app’s interface and provide even more functionality with SwiftUI. Create custom button styles and effects that accent your design, take advantage of standard gestures, such as Tap and Touch, and add consistency to interactions with the Focus APIs.
Game controllers
Let users play your game using more of their favorite PlayStation and Xbox controllers, including Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Accept input from additional types of devices, like a touchpad, a keyboard, or a mouse. Access additional device attributes, such as battery level, haptics, and light.
Multiuser games
With multiuser support for gaming, your game can switch dynamically between users and use both Game Center and iCloud to keep track of multiple players’ individual game levels, leaderboards, and invitations.
On-demand resources
Your submission may contain up to 4GB in the main bundle and up to 20GB of on-demand resources. To enable smaller app bundles, faster downloads, and more app content for your tvOS app, use on-demand resources to request content hosted on the App Store that is separate from your main app bundle.
Xcode
Xcode provides everything you need to create great apps for Apple platforms.
Test on device
Before submitting your app for review in App Store Connect, make sure that it follows the review guidelines, functions properly, and is ready to be publicly released.
Beta testing with TestFlight
Before finalizing your app for release, get valuable feedback with beta testing to make sure it’s ready for your users. Upload your apps to App Store Connect and use TestFlight to install and test them on an Apple TV.
Universal purchase
Let users enjoy your app and in-app purchases on all Apple platforms with only one purchase. To offer universal purchase, create your app for each platform using a single app record or add platforms to your existing app record in App Store Connect. Then upload your apps using a single bundle ID in Xcode.
For more information, view the universal purchase support page.
App Review
Learn about the review process, view the App Store Review Guidelines, and receive advice on how to avoid common issues before you submit.
Update your product page and submit
App name
Searching by app name is a key way users find apps on the App Store for Apple TV. Search is incremental, so users see results each time they type a letter. Keep your tvOS app name short to help users quickly find what they’re looking for. If your tvOS app uses the same app ID as your iOS app, the apps will share one name. If your tvOS app uses a separate app ID, you’ll need to create a new name. Do not include the phrases Apple TV, tvOS, or ATV in your app name. Apple TV is a trademark and should always be written in English, even when it appears within text of another language.
App icon
Layered images are required to support the parallax effect that creates the sense of depth and vitality for icons on Apple TV. For guidance on creating app icons and specifications, view the Human Interface Guidelines.
Description
Your tvOS app has its own app description. Use the description to explain the ways in which the app is optimized for a large screen and how the app leverages the features of the Apple TV Remote to create an immersive, intuitive experience.
Keywords
Your tvOS app has its own unique set of keywords, with a limit of 100 characters. Maximize the number of words that fit in this character limit by avoiding terms such as TV, television, and app. Don’t use the phrases Apple TV, tvOS, or ATV. Apple TV is a trademark and should always be written in English, even when it appears within text of another language. For more information on writing effective keywords, view Making the Most of Your Product Page.
Screenshots
You can upload up to 10 screenshots of your tvOS app. Take advantage of all 10 to fully highlight your app’s features. For compatibility with the new Apple TV 4K, App Store Connect supports screenshots that are 3840 by 2160 pixels, as well as 1920 by 1080 pixels. For details on uploading screenshots, view App Store Connect Help.
App previews
App previews demonstrate the features, functionality, and user interface of your app or game in a short video that users can watch by selecting the preview button on an app’s product page. Each preview can be up to 30 seconds long and appears in all regions where your app is available.
App privacy details
Enter all necessary information about your app’s privacy practices, including the practices of third-party partners whose code you integrate into your app, in App Store Connect. These details inform the app privacy label on your App Store product page and are required to submit new apps and app updates to the App Store.
App Store Connect
Find details and step-by-step instructions on how to upload your app icon, previews, screenshots, and metadata in App Store Connect.
Promote your app
Use the Download on the App Store badge, Apple TV images, and recommended messaging when promoting your tvOS app on the App Store.
Messaging
When marketing your tvOS app, direct users to the App Store for Apple TV and provide a clear call-to-action to search for your app by its exact name. Include your app icon in your marketing creative to help users connect your marketing message with the app as it appears on the App Store on Apple TV. Alternatively, you can provide a link to your tvOS product page on the App Store for iPhone and iPad to give users another way to download your app to Apple TV. If your app is only for Apple TV, highlight this with a phrase such as “Exclusively for Apple TV.” If your app is already available for iPhone and iPad, promote your new tvOS app to existing iOS users with phrases such as “Also Available on the App Store for Apple TV” or “Now Available on the App Store for Apple TV.”
Linking to tvOS apps
Product pages for tvOS apps are also available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. Users who have enabled their Apple TV to automatically install apps can download your app straight to Apple TV from their iOS device or computer when they follow a direct link to your product page. Simply get the link from Apple Services Marketing Tools and use it when promoting your app. While tvOS apps with universal purchase are discoverable on the App Store for iPhone and iPad through searching and browsing, apps exclusively on the App Store for Apple TV can only be found through this direct link.
App Analytics
Measure user engagement and monetization for your tvOS apps with App Analytics in App Store Connect. In addition to seeing data on product page views, downloads, and engagement, you can see how many iOS users acquired with your marketing campaigns opened the same app on Apple TV. You can also promote your tvOS app in another tvOS app and track the results using campaign links.
Download artwork
Display your tvOS app in Apple TV images approved by Apple to introduce users to your app on this platform. If your app is also available for iPhone and iPad, use the overlapping product image to display your app on all devices. You can also use the Download on the App Store badge as a clear call to action in your marketing communications.
