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Android XR supports apps in different stages of development. It's built to
minimize the effort it takes for a developer to create an app for multiple
platforms and form factors.
Android XR automatically runs compatible Android apps designed for mobile and
large screens. With a few adaptations, you can convert it to a differentiated
app if you want to make it feel more immersive.
XR compatible mobile app
An existing mobile app that hasn't been
modified to adapt to a large screen or any other form factor. This type of app
is automatically compatible with Android XR as long as it doesn't
require any features
that are unsupported, such
as telephony. Users can complete critical task flows. They are automatically
made available on the Play Store.
XR compatible large screen app
A large screen
Tier 1
or Tier 2
Android app that has implemented layout optimizations for all screen sizes and
device configurations (for example, large screens in addition to mobile), along
with enhanced support for external input devices and multitasking. They are
automatically made available on the Play Store.
XR differentiated app
An XR differentiated app has a user experience explicitly designed for XR, and
it implements features that are only offered on XR. You can take full advantage
of Android XR capabilities and differentiate your app's experiences by adding XR
features like spatial panels or XR content such as a 3D video.
Design Android XR differentiated apps
When running in Full Space, your XR app can use features to create a sense of
presence and deeper level of engagement. To take advantage of the infinite
canvas, consider adding the following elements:
Identify key moments where spatial features will improve the user experience
and unlock the unique capabilities of XR.
Add clear visual cues to let users quickly switch between Full Space and Home
Space. For example, you can use collapse content and
expand content icons for buttons to trigger transitions.
Content and code samples on this page are subject to the licenses described in the Content License. Java and OpenJDK are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Last updated 2025-07-03 UTC.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-07-03 UTC."],[],[],null,["# Design for Android XR differentiated apps\n\nAndroid XR supports apps in different stages of development. It's built to\nminimize the effort it takes for a developer to create an app for multiple\nplatforms and form factors.\n\nAndroid XR automatically runs compatible Android apps designed for mobile and\nlarge screens. With a few adaptations, you can convert it to a differentiated\napp if you want to make it feel more immersive.\n\n\n**XR compatible mobile app**\n\nAn existing [mobile](/design/ui/mobile) app that hasn't been\nmodified to adapt to a large screen or any other form factor. This type of app\nis automatically compatible with Android XR as long as it doesn't\n[require any features](/guide/topics/manifest/uses-feature-element)\nthat are [unsupported](/develop/xr/get-started#app-manifest), such\nas telephony. Users can complete critical task flows. They are automatically\nmade available on the Play Store.\n\n**XR compatible large screen app**\n\nA large screen\n[Tier 1](/docs/quality-guidelines/large-screen-app-quality#large_screen_differentiated)\nor [Tier 2](/docs/quality-guidelines/large-screen-app-quality#large_screen_optimized)\nAndroid app that has implemented layout optimizations for all screen sizes and\ndevice configurations (for example, large screens in addition to mobile), along\nwith enhanced support for external input devices and multitasking. They are\nautomatically made available on the Play Store.\n\n**XR differentiated app**\n\nAn XR differentiated app has a user experience explicitly designed for XR, and\nit implements features that are only offered on XR. You can take full advantage\nof Android XR capabilities and differentiate your app's experiences by adding XR\nfeatures like spatial panels or XR content such as a 3D video.\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nDesign Android XR differentiated apps\n-------------------------------------\n\nWhen running in Full Space, your XR app can use features to create a sense of\npresence and deeper level of engagement. To take advantage of the infinite\ncanvas, consider adding the following elements:\n\n\n[Spatial panels](/design/ui/xr/guides/spatial-ui)\n\nExpand your app across a user's space without constraints. Users can move\npanels for a personalized experience. \n\nAlas, your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. That's OK! You can still [download the video](/static/videos/design/ui/xr/xr-3d-content-opt.mp4) and watch it with a video player.\n\n[3D models](/design/ui/xr/guides/3d-content)\n\nEncourage hands-on learning and exploration with 3D models that users\ncan rotate, resize, and move. \n\n[Spatial environments](/design/ui/xr/guides/environments)\n\nTransport users to a new space and heighten focus with custom-built\nimmersive scenes.\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nTips to get started quickly\n---------------------------\n\n- Customize your app UI however you like, just like on Android.\n- Follow Material Design's [large-screen guidelines](/docs/quality-guidelines/large-screen-app-quality) to ensure apps look and function correctly at any size.\n- Follow Android XR [visual design](/design/ui/xr/guides/visual-design) recommendations for typography, colors, and [motion](/design/ui/xr/guides/motion). Consider using [Material Design components](https://m3.material.io/components) to make your app feel native to the platform.\n- Identify key moments where spatial features will improve the user experience and unlock the unique capabilities of XR.\n- Add clear visual cues to let users quickly switch between Full Space and Home Space. For example, you can use [collapse content](https://fonts.google.com/icons?icon.query=collapse+content) and [expand content](https://fonts.google.com/icons?icon.query=expand+content) icons for buttons to trigger transitions."]]
