Welcome to our App Builder, our state-of-the-art tool that enhances the mobile app development experience for our clients!
With a primary focus on streamlining the app development process, this platform enables clients to effortlessly share all the necessary app assets required for our team to build their mobile applications.
This comprehensive guide serves as an essential index, providing detailed explanations for each form question, ensuring a smooth and efficient asset-sharing experience. Collaborate with our development team and witness your app ideas take shape without any hassle. Let's embark on this journey together, simplifying the path to extraordinary mobile apps.
Table of Contents
Get Started (Branding)
App Store
Content
Support
Developer Account
Get Started (Branding)
Accent Colors
An accent color is a custom color that will appear throughout your apps in various locations. This color should complement your branding and provide excellent contrast against the background of your app.
ℹ️ INFO: In mobile apps, it’s possible to select two accent colors: one for each app theme. The app below is using a different shade of purple for its Dark Theme and Light Theme.
Contrast
To make sure the buttons and important text in your app grab the attention of your users, select an accent color that provides a high degree of contrast against the background of your app.
The App Previewer in your Admin Area will let you know if the color you selected has an appropriate amount of contrast.
Color Locations (Mobile)
Select buttons, select headers, terms of service, and privacy policy links.
Color Locations (TV)
Video selection box
App Icon
Your app icon is the visual representation of your app. It should look clear and compelling, even at a small size.
ℹ️ INFO: This icon is visible in app stores and device home screens.
Mobile Apps
Image Requirements:
1024x1024px JPEG or PNG file
No rounded corners
Looks good when cropped as a circle
Can have a solid or transparent background
✨ Mobile App Icon Example
Icon Reshaping
Different app stores and devices will alter your icon's shape. Some Android devices will even display app icons as a circle. Please ensure your logo will be fully visible when your icon is reshaped.
Mobile Icon Examples
iOS Home Screen Apple App Store
TV Apps
Image Requirements:
1280x768px JPEG or PNG file
Solid background
Android TV requires the icon to display the app name!
✨ TV App Icon Example
AppleTV:
Android & Fire TV:
Roku:
Launch Screen
Appears briefly when the app opens
Do not include URLs in the image
The image used needs to fit different screen sizes
It enlarges on small screens and can appear to "cut off" the graphic
To ensure the image is visible on all devices, center the graphic/logo in the Safe Area (1200 x 2250), as below:
Optional Header Image
The App Header has to be a transparent logo
Shown at the top of the Home Page
It's placed over the background
Make sure the graphic will be visible against the background color
You can use and provide:
The same image for both app themes (light and dark backgrounds)
A different image for each theme to ensure that images will be visible
📝 NOTE: The header image is optional. If you don't provide an image, your app will not show any.
App Store
Subtitle
On the App Store (iOS and Apple TV apps), you can add a subtitle. It can be used to provide a brief description of your app.
The Subtitle field can be used in conjunction with the app's name.
💡 TIP: Avoid using generic sentences like "the best app in the world." Instead, emphasize the distinctive features or common applications of your app that resonate with your target audience.
This is currently an iOS/tvOS-only field that will show up below your app's title in the App Store. This field has a 30-character limit, so keep it simple and to the point.
🔗 Learn more about Apple Guidelines
Short Description
On some platforms, you can add a short description to your app. It is pretty much what you expect: a very brief corollary to your app's title.
This is currently supported on Amazon TV, Android, and Android TV, and will show up below your app's title in the app store.
💡 TIP: This field has an 80-character limit, so keep it simple and to the point.
Overall Google Guidelines
A short description should convey your app or game's message in 80 characters or fewer
Provide users with a concise summary of your app's key benefits in the short description
Don't repeat your short description in your full description
🔗 Learn more about Best Practices for App Descriptions
Full Description
Use this field to provide an engaging description that highlights the features and functionality of your app.
Users read your store listing to learn about your app - and to decide whether to try it. Well-written descriptions that communicate valuable information provide a high-quality experience for users, both with your app and across the platform.
Each platform has its own limits for this field. It can span from 1300 (Roku) to 4000 characters (Google).
💡 TIP: Refrain from adding unnecessary keywords to your description in an attempt to improve search results.
Also, avoid including specific prices in your app description since it is already shown on the product page, and references within the description may not be accurate in all regions.
Here are the guidelines for each platform:
Writing Good App Descriptions
For your app to stand out, it's essential to format the description well, so customers can easily read it and to help make sure that your app is approved with ease.
✅ What TO DO
Pay attention to grammar and punctuation.
This has a big impact on the perception of your app's quality and polish.
There may be the odd case where 'bad grammar on porpoise' is part of your tone and how you captivate the audience.
Outside of that, keep the language closer to formal.
Include your app's benefits in your description.
Ask yourself questions like: "What do people get from downloading your app? What is your proposition of value?".
Answer these questions as succinctly as possible.
Use simple, accessible language.
Making your description easy to understand will increase your chances, as more people will understand it.
Structure your description from most important to least important, even if you think everything is important.
Explain your app in one sentence.
Then expand with one paragraph, about 300 characters.
You may want to describe your app more, but your customer may stop reading right here.
Then expand with 2 or 3 extra paragraphs, keeping it below 1500 characters.
Bullets are a good option too, for easy reading.
Finally, if you still have more to say, of course, you can, just be aware that the customer may not read the trailing part.
Keep your description between 300 and 1500 characters
Some app store platforms may limit the answer to those lengths.
It's OK to provide longer descriptions, but Uscreen may have to shorten them, depending on the platform.
🚫 What NOT TO DO
Don't self-rank your app.
Sentences like "#1 app in the App Store" will be rejected by the app stores.
Superlative words that place your app as better than everything else will be rejected: "
Best app for ..." will be rejected.
No profanity.
Even if your content and audience are geared toward an adult audience, the app store is not age-restricted.
Although not prohibited, innuendo may have a likely chance of being rejected.
No cryptic bullet lists of single words or terse statements.
While it's OK to provide lists or bullets, try to be more descriptive.
Make users excited about your content.
No hyperbole and excessive punctuation.
At the same time, your content may be the most awesome! OMG!!!!ONE!!!1!!!, this kind of description makes for a poor presentation and may be rejected.
Avoid adding testimonials as part of your App Description
We have seen these types of descriptions rejected.
💡 TIP: These guidelines help you write a great description, encourage users to download your app, and ensure your app is approved by the strict app store guidelines.
✨ The example below is for a painting inspiration app:
Searchable Keywords
Depending on your product, you may have a niche audience that is easy to direct to your app, but keywords will always be important.
Keywords are an invaluable tool to make your app more discoverable in the App Store.
Just pick a set of words and separate them with commas like: yoga, ashtanga, lessons, exercise, health, fitness.
This field is supported in the App Store and Amazon store, and is limited to 100 characters, so be concise.
💡 TIP: You should choose the words you think the customer will use when searching the App Store, so your app can show up in the results.
Screenshot Options
Screenshots are shown on the product page in the various app stores. They let users see app features and functionality before they install an app.
📝 NOTE: Apple maintains strict guidelines for app screenshots, and non-compliance can lead to app rejection.
Screenshots must be genuine, captured directly from the app in use, and showcase the app's user interface and features.
Additionally, each screenshot should correspond to the appropriate device frame; for instance, iPhone screenshots should display within an iPhone frame and iPad screenshots within an iPad frame.
🔗 Learn more about Apple's App Store Review Guidelines
💡 TIP: Ensuring your screenshots meet these criteria is essential for a smooth app review process.
You have two options for your app screenshots:
Option 1: Uscreen Screenshots (default option)
We will generate previews for all your apps before submitting each for review.
Screenshots are auto-generated; we cannot create additional screenshots.
You can arrange the catalog page, positioning some videos upfront so the content you want to display is captured.
The copy and design of these screenshots are guaranteed to be approved by the app stores and require no extra work on your part.
Android & iOS
1: Home Page (first 2-3 Categories)
2: Downloads Page (4 videos; ordered by upload date; oldest > newest)
3: Video Page (first video in the first category)
Text, Font Color, & Background (Accent Color) cannot be changed.
Legacy iPhone & iPad screenshots are generated as well, as required by Apple
Apple Watch
AppleTV, Android TV, Fire TV, Roku
1: Catalog Page (first 2-3 Categories)
2: Player Page (first video in the first category)
Option 2: Custom Mobile Screenshots (available on the Plus plan)
If you prefer, you can create and provide custom screenshot images to use, with designs and copy more customized to your brand.
Let the App Team know in advance (ott@uscreen.tv).
Provide images before apps are submitted for review, as they need to be approved along with an app update
You will receive access to the apps during the Preview Phase. This is when you'll be able to create the screenshots using the app.
Screenshots need to demonstrate app features, functionality, and user interface:
The majority of screenshots must show the actual app in use (not your website or a different app)
Screenshots must also show the correct device in use.
Use images captured from your app to create the screenshots.
Do not use marketing/promotional materials that do not show the app in use.
Do not include prices because they won't be accurate for all users
To avoid your app being rejected, show the correct device:
iPad Screenshots must show the app in use on an iPad.
Do not use images captured on an iPhone to create Android Screenshots.
Do not resize iPad images to use for the iPhone Screenshots.
Required Images & Specifications for Custom Screenshots
Mobile Screenshots
Minimum required 4 images
Maximum allowed 8 images
Format: png or jpg (no transparency)
Android: Google Play Store
The image has to be 1242 x 2208px wide
Must show an Android device in use with real app screenshots
iOS: App Store
Below image sets are required:
6.9" iPhone: 1290 x 2796px
Must show an iPhone in use with real app screenshots.
12.9" iPad: 2048 x 2732px
Must show an iPad in use with real app screenshots.
TV App Screenshots
Minimum required 3 images.
Maximum allowed 5 images
Size: 1920 x 1080px (png or jpg)
AppleTV: Must show tvOS Interface
Fire TV: Must show Fire TV Interface
Roku: Must show Roku Interface
Android TV: Must show Android TV interface
Samsung: Must show Samsung TV interface
Apple Watch: App Store
Size: 368 x 448px or 312 x 390px
Min 2, Maximum 8 Images (png or jpg)
Details: here
Must show your WatchOS app in use.
Use the full image space for the screenshot (edge to edge)
Do NOT frame in or show an Apple Watch in your images
Example of a working set of images:
Content
Content Rating
Content ratings inform users about the suitability of your app for different age groups and help them understand the type of content they can expect. Ratings also play a crucial role in meeting legal requirements and guidelines set by app stores and regulatory bodies.
App Store content ratings are essential for providing users with information about the age appropriateness and content of your app.
ℹ️ INFO: These ratings help users make informed decisions and ensure compliance with local regulations and guidelines.
App Store Guidelines
Each app store has its own set of guidelines regarding content ratings.
📝 NOTE: It's important to familiarize yourself with these guidelines to ensure compliance.
When you submit your assets to the App Launch Team, if you believe your app may contain age-rated content, please include this in your form and feel free to expand upon the extent of this content when you work with the App Launch Team to prepare your app for store review.
Rating Systems
App stores often support various age-based rating systems, which provide standardized ratings across different regions. These rating systems evaluate factors such as violence, explicit content, language, and age-appropriate material.
Your app will display its age rating and content warnings on the store page upon publication.
Updates and Changes
If you make significant changes to your app's content that affect its rating, you may need to update the content rating accordingly, which may require the App Launch Team to update your apps as well.
Apps Default Language
Store Listing
All app platforms allow you to provide one or multiple language translations (or locales), in order to better communicate and advertise to your audience. If you provide just one locale, then all users in all countries will see this store listing, regardless of their device's default language.
📝 NOTE: Although our mobile supports several languages (e.g., Spanish, English, French, Italian, Deutsch, Chinese, etc.) the default language is set as English in the source code.
This way, it will display like this in the App Store:
In-App
Within the app, it will default to English, but if a user has a different language chosen as the default system language, the app will automatically default to this language (and any other language can be chosen in the app's settings as an override).
If you would like to make sure your language is available as a locale within the app, please ask your Customer Success Manager or Onboarding Specialist early on in your app onboarding process so that our developers can make sure that locale is ordered and implemented for you.
Language Updates and Changes
Much like anything in the store description and information, we are able to change anything about your store locale, although these changes may require a new app build, depending on the platform and scope of changes.
Within the app, however, if you feel pieces of the locale are incorrect/awkward, our team is happy to make changes that would be clearer to a natural-speaking audience.
📝 NOTE: Please keep in mind that as our apps are whitelabel, these changes will affect all of our apps, so changes must be within the scope of clarity and accuracy, and not reflect any brand/content-specific references.
App's Availability by Location
By default, your apps will be displayed on all regions available, though you can request specific geo-blocking settings based on your preferences.
There are a few exceptions, though:
China
Uscreen does not support any mobile or TV apps in Chinese app stores.
This is due to special rules, regulations, and criteria beyond Uscreen's technical capabilities.
Specific requirements include sharing source code, Chinese data transfer restrictions, and additional documentation that Uscreen cannot support.
Brazil (restricted for Samsung TV only)
Samsung TV apps require an official declaration of age recommendation from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice
Without this certificate, Samsung TV apps cannot be released in Brazil
How Users Will Access Content
App Access: Sign-In Only vs In-App Purchase
When building apps with Uscreen, your Members can access content in two main ways: Sign-In Only or In-App Purchase (IAP). Your choice depends on whether your content is free or requires payment.
🔗 Learn more about App Access: Sign-In Only vs In-App Purchase
Website vs. In-App Purchases
Available on Your Website | Available in Uscreen Apps |
Purchases
| Purchases
|
Payments
| Payments
|
Coupons & Gift Cards
| Coupons & Gift Cards
|
ℹ️ INFO: Rentals are not supported for in-app purchases. One-time purchases (TVOD), including paid bundles, are supported via Mobile TVOD beta for Plus plan customers.
🔗 Learn more about Mobile TVOD (beta)
Accessing Content in the App
All published content in your catalog is visible in your apps.
The catalog syncs automatically between your website and apps.
If offering In-App Subscriptions, they should unlock all of your content.
Always add your top-tier subscriptions to the apps.
Tiered subscriptions are only available on the web.
Members can watch free content in the apps (if offered).
Content purchased via your website (including bundles and rentals) is accessible in the app.
Uscreen uses Single Sign-On, so Members can log in anywhere to access their content.
A registered account is required.
Choosing Between Sign-In Only and In-App Purchase
Available on Plus and Custom plans. Pro plans include In-App Purchases by default.
Option 1: Sign-In Only Access
Use this if most or all of your content is free.
Existing users can log in to access previously purchased content.
Users cannot sign up or purchase a subscription within the app.
Apps are built to comply with app store rules—you cannot direct users to your website to subscribe.
Option 2: In-App Purchase Access
Use this if your content requires payment.
Existing users can log in to access their content.
New users can sign up and subscribe directly in the app.
Use IAP to offer paid content within a subscription.
Mobile TVOD (beta) allows paid bundles and other one-time purchases on Plus plans only.
Each platform will apply service fees to in-app purchases (more details below).
Apple App Store Requirements
Apps requiring payment for access must use IAP (App Store Guideline 3.1.1).
To get iOS approval, offer a subscription option within your app.
If you sell Subscriptions, Bundles, or One-Time Purchases on your website, include them in an All-Access Subscription and enable IAP.
On the Plus plan, other apps (e.g., for TV) can be Sign-In Only.
📝 NOTE: App Subscriptions must be linked to a matching Website Subscription. Changes made in the dashboard do not auto-sync with the apps.
Subscription Type
Use a Private Subscription for apps.
Remember to include new content added to your catalog in the In-App Subscriptions.
Include access to all top-tier content.
Subscription Duration Options
You can offer one subscription per period:
Android & iOS
Monthly
Quarterly
Semi-Annual
Yearly
Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Fire TV
Monthly
Yearly
Adding In-App Subscriptions
Choose the Duration, Price, and Trial Period.
Create a matching Website Subscription with the same details.
💡TIP: Use consistent pricing and trial periods across platforms to reduce friction.
Changing In-App Subscriptions
Dashboard changes are not automatically reflected inside the apps!
Submit an update request to make changes to your In-App Purchases.
Revenue Share
Each platform requires a Revenue Share for In-App Purchases:
Fees apply to Apple, Google, Amazon, and Roku.
You’ll share a percentage of earnings from in-app subscriptions and Mobile TVOD (if enabled).
Subscriptions and payments are managed by the marketplace platform, not Uscreen.
You’ll be paid directly by the respective app store provider
Revenue & Payments
Platform | Revenue Share | Payment Received | Payout Reports |
Apple | You receive 70% (details) | 45 days after the last day of the month (info) | Monthly summary (details) |
You receive 70% (details) | 15th for the previous month (info) | Earnings & Sales (details) | |
Amazon | You receive 70% (details) | 45 days after the last day of the month (info) | Estimated earnings (details) |
Roku | You receive 80% (details) | 60 days after the last day of the month (info) | Sales activity (details) |
💡 TIP: Increase your revenue!
Support
Customer Support Email
All App platforms require a customer support email. This email is embedded within the Mobile App for customers to use.
We suggest having a dedicated email where customers can reach you for any support they may need. (e.g., support@companyname.com or contact@companyname.com)
If you would like to change your Customer Support Email, please request an update within your Uscreen Admin Area with the new email address.
You can request an update from the Mobile & TV apps section of the admin area.
🔗 Learn more about Requesting an App Update
URLs for your Customer Support Page
All Apps require a customer support contact page.
This page can be simple with just a contact email for customers to contact, or you can provide a Google Forms Sheet, which can easily be filled out as below.
✨ An example of a contact page:
Developer Account
Contact Information for All Developer Accounts
Email Address
Some platforms require a contact email for the main point of contact person, the account owner. This is required by Roku and Google. It is preferred to be a personal email address and not a customer support email. This is also the email our App Launch team will use to contact you in regard to your App updates and your assets form.
Phone Number
The Apps require a phone number for the main point of contact person. Please provide the area code for the phone number as well. This won't be shown to the public.
Developer Account Information
Apple App Store
Google Playstore
Roku Store
Amazon App Store
Samsung TV App Store