AEP guideline: Preload Caching

Implement predictive media caching to minimize playback start latency and eliminate buffering pauses when switching between media items. This ensures seamless, high-performance playback in scrollable media feeds, delivering a premium user experience. Implementation through Jetpack Media3 is recommended.

Required implementation

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

  • Asset transitions must occur in less than 50 ms.

Guideline applicability

This guideline applies to:

  • Apps that include continuous or sequential video playback where the next video is predictable. For example, short-form video (SFV), linear playlists, or auto-playing lists.
  • All form factors on which the app is available.

Exemptions

The following exemptions apply for this guideline:

  • Apps where the user must actively navigate to and select their next video from a distinct UI (such as a grid, list, or recommendation menu) after the current video completes.
  • Apps where the core use case is live, peer-to-peer, or server-mediated streaming (such as chat apps and live-streaming apps). These videos are real-time and hence cannot be cached.
  • Apps can use an equivalent alternative framework that provides similar quality, user capabilities, stability and compatibility across the ecosystem. Contact support if you have a suitable framework for consideration.

Feature documentation and resources

The following resources provide implementation guidance and technical details on the Preload Caching feature. These resources are for your reference only and don't contain additional program requirements.