AEP guideline: Title Availability

Release new app titles simultaneously on all required Android form factors alongside other comparable non-Android platforms to maintain title availability and qualify for program rate card benefits.

Required implementation

To qualify for AEP, your app must adhere to the following requirements:

ID Guideline
AEP-TA-GAA For titles to be eligible for the program rate card benefits, those titles must be released on Android supported form factors at the same time they become available on any other comparable, non-Android form factors from September 30, 2026 and moving forward.

Currently required Android supported form factors include:

  • Mobile & Large Screen (Tablet, Googlebooks, PC)
  • Android XR (with titles running in a 2D window on the XR device)
  • Android TV
  • Android Auto
  • Android Wear

Titles that don't meet this title availability guideline will become eligible for the Apps Experience program rate card benefits following a 6-month waiting period, once all user experience guidelines are fully met.

Examples:

  • If a title is applying to be in the Apps Experience program and such title is currently available on other comparable non-Android form factors, such title must be launched on all comparable Android form factors for at least 6 months prior to enrollment into the Apps Experience program otherwise they will not be eligible for the program benefits until 6 months after the launch of their title on the Android form factor. The 6 month waiting period does not apply if the title was launched on the non-Android form factor prior to September 30, 2026.
  • If a title currently enrolled in the program launches a comparable non-Android form factor and does not launch on the comparable Android form factor simultaneously, they will become ineligible for program benefits for 6 months

Guideline applicability

This guideline applies to all apps across all supported form factors.

Exemptions

The following exemptions apply for this guideline:

ID Exemption
AEP-TA-EAA Differences between device platforms: Not every app is technically or conceptually suited for every hardware configuration; therefore, the title will be exempt if the developer can demonstrate that a specific Android form factor's constraints would meaningfully degrade the user experience against the comparable non-Android platform or if there is no viable technical solution for that hardware.
AEP-TA-EAB Launch Grace period: To account for unforeseen technical hurdles, store review delays, or "soft launches," we will implement the following:
  • Standard Grace Period: Developers are granted a 15-day window to achieve "live" status on the Google Play Store.
  • Extended Grace Period: In exceptional circumstances where a developer can demonstrate that the delay was caused by a Google-side technical issue or an unusually long app review process, the grace period may be extended to 30 days upon manual review.
AEP-TA-EAC EEA: This guideline does not apply in the EEA. However, when distributing to the EEA, Android users should be able to access all new experiences and capabilities within the Android title provided by the developer. Developers are therefore required to fully optimize their titles for Android.