How to create App Preview videos for the App Store.

Apple has strict technical requirements for App Previews. Getting these wrong means rejection or failed uploads:

• Duration — 15 to 30 seconds maximum. 30 seconds is the standard.
• Resolution — Must match a device class: 1080 × 1920 px (iPhone portrait), 1920 × 1080 px (iPhone landscape), or 2048 × 2732 px (iPad portrait).
• File format — H.264 encoded MP4, up to 500 MB per file.
• Frame rate — 30 fps maximum.
• Audio — Optional. If included, must be mixed to mono or stereo.
• Content — Must show actual app UI. Apple rejects previews that are primarily device mockups with minimal app content.

30 seconds is short. Plan every second. The most effective App Previews follow a clear structure:

• 0-5s — Establish the app context: show the device with your app's home screen, add a brief text overlay if needed
• 5-25s — Demonstrate the core feature: screen recording plays showing the primary user flow (this is the main content)
• 25-30s — Conclude with the value proposition: pull back to show the full device or end on a key screen

Set your aspect ratio to 9:19.5 (for iPhone portrait previews). Design at 1080 × 1920 px — this matches the required App Preview resolution exactly.

Choose the iPhone model that matches your target device class. Apple now only requires the 6.9-inch size for screenshots, but App Previews still need to match the device class you're uploading for.

Use a clean, minimal background — solid color or subtle gradient. The focus should be on the app content, not the background. The Studio lighting preset works well because it's neutral and professional.

Position the device to fill about 60% of the frame, centered, with space around it. Unlike screenshots, the device in a preview should be large enough that the screen content is clearly visible.

The core of your App Preview is the screen recording showing your app in use. Record a smooth, intentional walkthrough of your primary feature — no fast scrolling, no awkward pauses.

In the timeline, tap Add Clip at the 5-second mark (after your establishing shot). Select your screen recording. Trim the clip to fill from 5s to 25s.

The screen recording should show exactly one coherent flow — onboarding, key feature usage, or content creation. Don't try to show everything. One clear demonstration beats three rushed ones.

App Previews with a static device feel flat. Add 2-3 keyframes for a gentle camera orbit that keeps the scene feeling alive without distracting from the screen content.

Set keyframe 1 at 0s (opening angle), keyframe 2 at 15s (slightly different angle), and keyframe 3 at 30s (return to near-opening angle). The motion should be subtle — think of it as a slow dolly move, not a dramatic reveal.

The camera motion is secondary to the screen recording. If the motion draws attention away from the app UI, reduce the angle difference between keyframes.

Export your preview at 1080 × 1920 px, 30 fps, H.264 MP4. Keep the file under 500 MB — if it's larger, reduce the bitrate or trim unnecessary frames.

In App Store Connect: go to My Apps → your app → the version → Previews and Screenshots. Select the 6.9-inch iPhone tab. Drag your preview video into the media area.

App Previews appear in search results alongside your screenshots. The first 2-3 seconds are the most important — they auto-play without sound. Make sure the opening frames clearly communicate what your app does, even without audio.

You can upload up to 3 App Previews per device class. Use them to show different features or user flows. A/B test which preview drives the highest conversion using Apple's Product Page Optimization.