Devices that can run Android apps come in a variety of form factors—phones, tablets, foldables, desktops, car displays, TVs, XR—which represent a wide range of display sizes. Android supports multiple display modes, including multi-window, multi-display, multi-instance, and picture-in-picture. Foldable devices can be in various folded states, or postures, such as tabletop posture or book posture.
To ensure your app provides a great user experience regardless of device form factor, screen size, display mode, or posture, follow the adaptive app compatibility checklists and complete the compatibility tests.
The checklists and tests define a comprehensive set of quality requirements for most types of Android apps. Your app probably doesn't need to meet all of the requirements. Implement the ones that make sense for your app's use cases.
The adaptive app quality guidelines replace and extend the guidance formerly provided in the large screen app quality guidelines.
As you enhance your app with adaptive capabilities, help users better understand your app's multi-form-factor experience by updating your app listing on Google Play. Upload screenshots that show off the app on tablets and foldables. Call attention to XR features in your app description. For more information and best practices, see Google Play Help.
For examples of optimized and differentiated layouts on screens of all sizes, see the adaptive layout gallery.
Adaptive app compatibility checklists
The compatibility checklists define criteria to help you assess the level of support your app provides for adaptive design.
Levels of support include the following:
TIER 3 (basic) — Adaptive ready
Your app runs full screen (or full window in multi-window mode) on all devices, but app layout might not be ideal. The app is not letterboxed; it does not run in compatibility mode. Users can complete critical task flows but with a less than optimal user experience. The app provides basic support for external input devices, including keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and stylus.
TIER 2 (better) — Adaptive optimized
Your app implements layout optimizations for all screen sizes and device configurations along with enhanced support for external input devices.
TIER 1 (best) — Adaptive differentiated
Your app provides a user experience designed for the device or display the app is running on. Where applicable, the app supports multitasking, foldable postures, drag and drop, and stylus input.
Complete the Tier 2 requirements to enable your app to provide an excellent user experience on all Android devices. To make your app outstanding on foldables and large screens such as desktops, complete Tier 1.
Adaptive app compatibility tests
The compatibility tests help you discover quality issues in your app. You can combine the tests or integrate groups of tests together in your own test plans.
For layout and UX purposes, test on at least the following device types:
- Foldable (841x701 dp)
- 8-inch tablet (1024x640 dp)
- 10.5-inch tablet (1280x800 dp)
- 13-inch Chromebook (1600x900 dp)
Use the following Android emulators to test adaptive device compatibility:
- Foldable phone — 7.6" Fold-in with outer display
- Tablet — Pixel C 9.94"
- Dual-display foldable — Microsoft Surface Duo
Use the Android resizable emulator to test a variety of device configurations.
Get started
Select a quality tier and get started making your app adaptive today!
Archive
Previous versions of the adaptive app quality guidelines:
2026-01-21 — Large screen app quality guidelines
ID map — large screen app quality guidelines to adaptive app quality guidelines