TL;DR
App store preview videos boost installs by 20–40% vs screenshots alone (StoreMaven / SplitMetrics). Apple requires 15–30 second MP4/MOV files at device-specific resolutions. Google Play requires a public YouTube link — not a direct upload. Screen Script records your app from a browser tab or emulator on any OS — no Mac, no Xcode, no equipment.
What is an app store preview video?
An app store preview video is a short screen recording — 15 to 30 seconds on Apple, up to 2 minutes on Google Play — that shows your app running in real time on the store listing page. It auto-plays muted when a user views your app, before they decide whether to install.
Conversion impact: Adding a preview video can boost install conversion rates by 20–40% compared to screenshot-only listings. The average Apple App Store listing converts at 25% — preview videos push that meaningfully higher for apps that show well in motion.StoreMaven / SplitMetrics internal data · AppTweak / Adapty 2024
Auto-plays muted
Both Apple and Google Play auto-play your video without sound. Visual storytelling carries the full weight — sound is a bonus, not a requirement.
Apple: real footage only
Apple requires genuine in-app screen recordings. No hands, no live action, no competitor platform footage. Google Play gives you more creative freedom — overlays, branding, and lifestyle footage are permitted.
Appears above screenshots
The preview plays first in the media strip — it's the first thing a high-intent user sees on your listing page.
Platform requirements at a glance
Apple is the most restrictive — exact resolutions per device size, strict content rules, and no hands in frame. Google Play requires a YouTube URL, not a direct upload. Shopify is the most flexible and the most overlooked.
Google Play gotcha: Google Play does not accept MP4 file uploads. You must upload your video to YouTube as public or unlisted, enable embedding, disable monetization, and then paste the URL into Play Console. A private YouTube video will not work.
For a general browser-based recording workflow, see our online screen recorder guide.
What to show in the first 5 seconds
The first 5 seconds of your preview determine whether a user keeps watching. Open on your app's most visually compelling moment — not a splash screen, not a login form, not an onboarding flow they won't finish.
Lead with the core value
Show what your app does in the first 3 seconds — not how to get started. If your app helps people track workouts, open on a completed workout summary, not the sign-up screen.
Record the happy path
Show the smoothest, most impressive user flow. No loading spinners, no error states, no in-progress data. Use a polished demo account with complete data.
Use zoom effects for key UI moments
Apple mutes your video by default. Zoom effects replace audio cues — click-to-zoom draws the eye to the action the user would otherwise miss without sound.
No hands for Apple submissions
Apple's guidelines prohibit showing a device being held or fingers interacting with the screen. Record screen footage only — any hand visible in frame is a rejection risk.
Add captions if you use audio
Most users will never hear your audio track. Add on-screen text or captions for any narration — or design the preview to be fully self-explanatory without sound.
The same principles apply to product demo videos — leading with the result, not the setup.
How to record your app preview with Screen Script
Three steps: open your app in a browser tab or emulator, record with Screen Script, trim and export as MP4. Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux — no Xcode, no QuickTime.
- 1
Open your app
Run your app in a browser tab (web apps and PWAs), an iOS Simulator, or an Android Emulator. Open Screen Script in a separate tab at screenscript.app/launcher. No download required.
- 2
Select your source and record
Choose the browser tab running your app or the emulator window. Click record and capture your app's best user flow in one take.
- 3
Trim and export as MP4
In the editor, trim dead air from the start and end, then add zoom effects to highlight key UI moments — zoom draws viewer attention without relying on audio. Export as MP4. For Apple, verify the output resolution matches your target device spec. For Google Play, upload to YouTube first, then paste the URL into Play Console.
Works on any OS — no Mac required
Screen Script runs in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Record from an Android Emulator on Windows, an iOS Simulator on macOS, or a mobile browser emulator in Chrome DevTools — no native screen recording software needed.
Ready to record your app preview?
Free to start. No install. No watermark.
Common mistakes that get previews rejected
Apple rejects more previews than developers expect. The review process is automated and strict — even a single frame outside the rules triggers a rejection and sends you back to the start.
Wrong resolution for the device slot
Each device size (6.9", 6.1", 5.5", iPad) requires its own correctly sized video. Submitting an iPhone 6.9" recording into the 5.5" slot — even at similar proportions — will be rejected.
Hands or fingers visible in frame
Even a fingertip at the edge of the frame counts. Apple's guidelines require screen footage only — no physical device interaction visible.
Footage from another platform
Submitting Android footage for an iOS listing, or showing your web app in a browser window, violates the "real in-app footage" rule.
Marketing overlays or pricing text
Text like "Download now", "#1 App", or any promotional pricing is prohibited on Apple. Keep overlays to feature labels that describe what the user is seeing.
Duration outside 15–30 seconds
14 seconds is rejected. 31 seconds is rejected. Trim to exactly within the window — aim for 15–25 seconds to give yourself margin.
Google Play note: Google's review is less automated but videos that misrepresent app functionality can be removed post-publish — and your listing may be flagged. Record actual app behavior; don't show features that aren't available in the current version.
Frequently asked questions
Apple requires 15–30 seconds. Google Play recommends 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Keep Apple previews closer to 15–20 seconds — most users decide in the first 5–10 seconds whether to keep watching.
Yes. Screen Script runs in any browser on Mac, Windows, or Linux. Record your app from a browser tab or emulator window and export as MP4 — no Mac, no Xcode, no QuickTime required.
It depends on the device size. Modern iPhones (6.1"–6.9") require 886×1920 portrait or 1920×886 landscape. Legacy 5.5" iPhones require 1080×1920. You need one video per supported device size — you can't submit a single file for all iPhones.
No. Google Play requires a YouTube URL — not a direct file upload. Upload your MP4 to YouTube as public or unlisted, enable embeds, disable monetization, then paste the URL into your Play Console listing.
Not directly. Apple requires a specific resolution file per device size submitted as a direct upload. Google Play requires a YouTube URL. You can use the same recorded footage, but you'll need to export at different resolutions and submit through different methods.
Record your app preview in under 30 minutes
- No Mac required — works on Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Records from browser tabs, iOS Simulator, and Android Emulator
- Zoom effects highlight key UI moments without audio
- MP4 export — ready for App Store Connect or YouTube upload
- Free to start, no watermark, no install