Google Play Store Submission Checklist

Steps (77)

• Store Listing & Metadata

  All metadata must accurately reflect the game's content and functionality. Misleading titles, descriptions, or screenshots may result in rejection.

  • Title & Descriptions

    • App title is accurate and does not impersonate another app or developer

      ~3m

    • Short description (max 80 characters) accurately represents the game — no performance claims, pricing language, or calls-to-action (e.g. 'Download now')

      ~5m

    • Full description is detailed, accurate, and matches the app's actual functionality

      ~5m

    • Any in-app purchases are clearly disclosed in the description

      ~5m

  • Screenshots & Video

    • At least 2 screenshots uploaded — up to 8 per device type (phone, tablet, TV, Wear OS)

      ~5m

    • Screenshots are minimum 320px on shortest side, maximum 3840px on longest side, JPEG or 24-bit PNG

      ~5m

    • For best algorithmic placement: at least 4 screenshots at 1080px+ resolution (landscape: minimum 1920×1080px)

      ~3m

    • Screenshots show actual in-game experience — no device frames, call-to-action text, or mock-ups

      ~5m

    • Preview video is a public or unlisted YouTube URL with ads disabled, embeddable, not age-restricted, and at least 80% representative of the actual user experience

      ~5m

  • Graphic Assets

    • App icon: 512×512px 32-bit PNG with alpha, max 1024KB

      ~3m

    • Feature Graphic: 1024×500px JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha) — vivid colours, avoid pure white or dark grey backgrounds

      ~3m

    • TV Banner (if releasing on Android TV): 1280×720px JPEG or 24-bit PNG

      ~3m

  • Contact Details & Privacy Policy

    • Developer contact email address is accurate and monitored

      ~2m

    • Privacy policy URL is live, linked in Play Console, and accessible without requiring a login

      ~3m

• Content Rating

  All apps on Google Play must have an official content rating via the Play Console rating questionnaire. Inaccurate or missing ratings may result in removal.

  • Content rating questionnaire completed in Play Console for all required rating authorities (IARC, ESRB, PEGI, etc.)

    ~15m

  • Rating accurately reflects all game content — including violence, sexual content, language, and controlled substances

    ~5m

  • Rating is re-submitted whenever new content or features significantly change the maturity of the game

    ~3m

• Data Safety Section

  The Data Safety section must be completed in Play Console and must accurately reflect all data your game and its third-party SDKs collect, share, and handle.

  • Data Safety form completed in Play Console — every type of data collected, shared, or processed is disclosed

    ~15m

  • Third-party SDKs and libraries audited — their data collection is included in the Data Safety disclosure

    ~10m

  • Privacy policy is consistent with what is declared in the Data Safety section

    ~5m

  • Account deletion option available in-game if the game requires account creation — and deletion can be requested via the provided URL in Play Console

    ~5m

  • Data Safety section re-reviewed whenever new SDKs are added or data practices change

    ~3m

• Monetisation & Google Play Billing

  Google Play Billing must be used for all in-app digital purchases. Auto-renewing subscriptions require clear disclosure of terms.

  • Google Play Billing System used for all in-app purchases of digital goods and content

    ~5m

  • No links to external payment systems or alternative storefronts within the game (except for physical goods/services consumed outside the app)

    ~5m

  • Pricing is clearly displayed to users before purchase

    ~3m

  • Subscription terms (renewal period, price, what's included, cancellation method) clearly disclosed to users before subscribing

    ~5m

  • Loot boxes or randomised purchases: odds of each item type disclosed before purchase

    ~5m

  • Real-money gambling features: relevant licences held and game is geo-restricted to permitted jurisdictions

    ~5m

• Permissions & Privacy

  Only permissions directly needed for core functionality should be requested. Data collection requires clear user consent.

  • Only permissions directly required for core game functionality are declared in the manifest

    ~5m

  • Runtime permission requests include a clear rationale explaining why the permission is needed

    ~5m

  • User consent obtained before collecting personal or sensitive data

    ~5m

  • Game does not collect, share, or sell user data without user knowledge and explicit consent

    ~5m

  • Game does not collect information about other installed apps for advertising or analytics purposes

    ~3m

  • Third-party SDKs comply with Google Play policies — developer is responsible for SDK behaviour

    ~5m

• Technical Requirements

  Apps must target a current Android API level and meet minimum functionality standards.

  • Target API level meets current Google Play requirements (check Play Console for the current minimum)

    ~5m

  • Game launches and runs without crashes on a range of current Android devices and OS versions

    ~15m

  • All advertised features are functional — no placeholder or stub content

    ~10m

  • Game passes pre-launch report checks in Play Console (Firebase Test Lab) — review crash reports and ANRs

    ~10m

  • App signing configured via Google Play App Signing

    ~5m

  • Release track (internal → closed → open testing → production) used appropriately before production release

    ~5m

• Content Policies

  Games must comply with Google Play's developer content policies. Violations can result in removal or account termination.

  • Restricted & Prohibited Content

    • Game contains no child endangerment, sexual exploitation, or content that could be used to harm children

      ~3m

    • Game contains no hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics

      ~3m

    • Game does not facilitate or promote illegal activities

      ~3m

    • Game does not impersonate another app, developer, or company

      ~3m

    • Game does not contain malware, hidden functionality, or code that could harm the user or device

      ~5m

  • User-Generated Content (if applicable)

    • In-game mechanism to report offensive or inappropriate UGC is available

      ~5m

    • Developer has a process to review and remove UGC that violates content guidelines

      ~5m

    • Ability to block abusive users from interacting with the player is available

      ~5m

  • Ads & Deceptive Behaviour

    • No misleading ad placement — ads are clearly distinguishable from game content

      ~3m

    • Game does not artificially manipulate ratings, reviews, or install counts

      ~3m

    • Game does not display ads that mimic system notifications or UI elements

      ~3m

• Families Policy (if targeting children)

  Additional requirements apply if the game targets children or is designed for a mixed audience that includes children. See the Google Play Families Policy for full requirements.

  • App content is age-appropriate for the target child audience

    ~5m

  • Ad SDKs used are self-certified as compliant with the Google Play Families Ads Programme

    ~5m

  • No interest-based or remarketing ads shown to children

    ~3m

  • Complies with applicable children's privacy laws (COPPA, EU GDPR, etc.)

    ~5m

  • Parental consent obtained before collecting any personal data from children where required by law

    ~5m

• Release Process

  Final steps before promoting a release to production.

  • Game has completed staged testing (internal → closed → open testing) with no blocking issues

    ~10m

  • Release notes (What's New) are written in all supported languages

    ~5m

  • Rollout percentage configured (consider starting at 5–20% for major updates)

    ~5m

  • Play Console review summary shows no errors — all warnings reviewed and resolved or acknowledged

    ~5m

  • 'Publish' / 'Release to production' confirmed in Play Console

    ~3m