How to publish an app
Only a user with the role Account Owner can add a new app. App versions can be uploaded by the Account Owner, Administrator, Release Manager, and Developer.
Publish your app so users can download it from RuStore.
- Open the RuStore Console.
- Go to the Applications tab.
- Click Add an app.
- In the pop-up window, enter the app name.
- Click Add.
- Select the added app.
- Click Upload a new version.
The upload steps will vary depending on the app type: Universal (suitable for phone, tablet, and TV) or TV Only. If you select the Universal app type, you will also be prompted to fill in information for the TV version. If your app is suitable only for TV, follow the instructions on the Add an app for a TV device page.
If a universal app has been created and versions for both mobile devices and TV have been uploaded, any subsequent versions can only be universal. If you need to add a new version suitable only for TV, create separate versions: universal + TV.
The upload steps will vary depending on the app type: Universal (suitable for phone, tablet, and TV) or TV Only. If you select the Universal app type, you will also be prompted to fill in information for the TV version. If your app is suitable only for TV, follow the instructions on the Add an app for a TV device page.
If a universal app has been created and versions for both mobile devices and TV have been uploaded, any subsequent versions can only be universal. If you need to add a new version suitable only for TV, create separate versions: universal + TV.
Upload app version
RuStore supports uploading applications in APK and AAB formats.
APK file upload requirements
When uploading the first version, make sure that:
- the file size does not exceed 5 GB;
- the file is signed with a digital certificate;
- the package name is unique;
- the build is checked and configured.
When uploading the second and subsequent versions, check that:
- the file size does not exceed 5 GB;
- the file is signed with a digital certificate;
- the signature matches the previous one;
- the package matches the previous one;
- the build is checked and configured;
- the version number is greater than the previous one.
AAB file upload requirements
- application signatures must be added separately before uploading the .aab file;
- the file size must not exceed 5 GB;
- the package name must be unique;
- the build must be checked and configured.
File upload stages
Uploading a file consists of two stages:
- Upload. You choose an APK or AAB file, and it is uploaded to RuStore servers. At this stage, do not leave the page to avoid interrupting the process.
- Processing. After the upload is complete, the file is validated. At this stage, you can save a draft and leave the page — processing will continue in the background.
Processed files are stored for 14 days. If you do not submit them for moderation within this time, they will be deleted.
After successful processing, the files will be available both when creating a new version and in the draft. If any errors are found during processing, you will see the corresponding notifications.
"What's new?"
The What's new? section is filled in when uploading a new version of the app. Describe the main updates here — what features have been added or which bugs have been fixed. When uploading the universal version of the app, you can also add a change history for the TV version.
User data safety
Fill in information about the categories and types of data that the application requests access to, as well as provide information about sensitive permissions. Read more in the section How to declare permissions.
App info
- Enter the application name:
- no more than 30 characters;
- the application name must be unique.
- Select a category from the list provided. How to do it?
- for games: select one or more in-game content labels. How to choose the appropriate content labels for your game?
- Select an age limit from the list provided. How to choose the right age limit?
- Select up to 5 search tags (optional). How to choose search tags?
- Enter a brief description of the application for mobile devices and for the TV version (up to 80 characters).
- Enter a detailed description of the application (up to 4000 characters; when creating, you must take into account the user's ability to minimize the description to 2000 characters).
- Minimum Android version (required field) is pulled automatically from the manifest; if minSDKversion is not specified in the manifest, the minimum Android version will be set to 1.
Developer contact details
In new app versions, you must provide the developer's contact details. In subsequent versions, the values will be pulled automatically from the previous version — you can change them if needed.
- Email;
- VK group;
- Website.
At least one of these fields is required.
Media files for the catalog
Icon
Drag an application icon from your desktop or a folder on your computer to the Mobile Icon area. You can also add a separate icon for the TV version of the application by clicking Add icon for TV.
If you leave this field empty, the icon for mobile devices will also be displayed for the TV version.
Icon requirements
- image resolution and file size: 512 × 512 px, up to 3 MB;
- accepted formats:
.pngor.jpg; - the icon must have background fill across its entire area. Its outer edges must be covered by the background, with no transparent or unfilled areas along the outline.
Screenshots
Uploading screenshots for the mobile version of the app is required.
- Screenshots for Phone. You can add screenshots only for phones. In this case, the same screenshots will be displayed on all device types: phones and tablets.
- Screenshots for Tablets. You can also upload separate screenshots for tablets. In this case, phone screenshots will be displayed on devices with screens smaller than 7 inches, and tablet screenshots will appear in the app card on devices with screens of 7 inches or more.
- Screenshots for TV. If your app's APK or AAB file is suitable for TV, please also upload screenshots and a TV banner.
For each device type (phone, TV, tablet) for which you upload screenshots, you must upload at least 3 screenshots.
To add screenshots:
- Select vertical or horizontal orientation.
- Specify the screenshot type: for phone or tablet.
- Drag screenshots from your desktop or a folder on your computer into the Phone App Screenshots area or click Add tablet screenshots. If the APK (AAB) version is suitable for TV, also add screenshots for the TV version of the application. You can add 1 to 10 screenshots at the same time.
Screenshots will be uploaded in the order in which they are located in the selected folder.
Image requirements
- file size: no more than 3 MB for phones and no more than 5 MB for tablets;
- accepted formats:
.pngor.jpg; - maximum resolution: 2160 × 3840 px for the mobile version; 1920 × 1080 px for the TV version;
- recommended aspect ratio — 16:9;
- if the width or height is less than the recommended value, the screenshot is stretched to 16:9;
- if the width or height is greater than the recommended value, the screenshot is cropped to 16:9.
Video on the application page
The application page supports videos hosted on VK Video. VK Video players are used for playback: clips (vertical/square short videos) and regular videos — the appropriate player is selected automatically.
How to add a video
- Upload the video to VK Video (in the web version of VK, the VK app, or the VK Video app).
- Configure privacy (see below).
- Copy the link to the video and paste it into the Video field in the RuStore Console.
vk.ru, vk.com, vkvideo.ru.
Which videos turn into clips
- Vertical (9:16) or square (1:1) videos up to 60 seconds long are automatically published as clips.
- Horizontal videos and videos attached to posts/comments/messages are published as regular videos.
- If you want to upload a vertical video as a regular video, use the separate VK Video app.
- Keep the main content in the "safe area" (10% padding at the top/bottom and left/right).
- Use a static frame with legible text as the thumbnail.
Background video
The Background video for the application page field lets you attach an additional video that will be displayed at the top of the application page.
The video plays automatically and without sound. It can be used to tell users about seasonal offers, events, key product benefits, and more.
Use the horizontal video recommendations when preparing content, and also keep the following specifics in mind:
- Display: the video is shown at the top of the application page; if the link is unavailable or private, the block is hidden.
- Behavior: playback starts without sound; the user continues browsing the page without any additional interaction.
- Content: use frames that are understandable without sound — close-ups of the interface, short key points, legible logos.
To improve the user experience, it is not recommended to attach the same video in both the "Catalog video" and "Background video for the application page" fields.
Place important elements outside the danger zones:
- text in the lower third of the frame may be obscured by the application card;
- maintain at least 10% indent from the edges of the frame; avoid small text and low contrast.
To check how the video will look on different devices, use the safe zone grid diagram.
The diagram shows:
- positive zone — the area where content will be accessible on any device size; ideal for key details;
- warning zone — the area where some content may be non-critically cropped on tablets depending on screen width;
- crop zone — the area where the video will definitely be cropped on the sides on mobile devices and at the top/bottom on tablets.
- Use cases: introductory offers, showcasing the key onboarding scenario, event/update announcements, visual quality proof (FPS, graphics, UX).
- Moderation: the video must comply with publication rules; prohibited or misleading content is not allowed.
Video privacy
When publishing to VK Video, choose who can watch and comment on the video:
- All users
- Channel subscribers
- Editors and administrators
- Community donations (VK Donut) — if enabled
For the application page, we recommend "All users". Private modes that are not accessible to store visitors will cause a playback error.
Video requirements and recommendations
- Resolutions up to 4K and file sizes up to 256 GB are supported.
- Supported container formats: AVI, MP4, 3GP, MPEG, MOV, FLV, F4V, WMV, MKV, WEBM, VOB, RM, RMVB, M4V, MPG, OGV, TS, M2TS, MTS.
- For good quality, use at least 720p, preferably 1080p or 4K.
- Processing large files may take time — keep this in mind before publishing.
- Recommended duration for promotional/presentation videos on the application page — up to 1–2 minutes.
The video must comply with RuStore rules and must not contain prohibited content: see Application Requirements.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ) for the application page
You can add a "Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ)" block to the application page.
This field is optional.
Where it is available
The FAQ block is available in the following version workflows:
- when creating a new version;
- when editing a version;
- when copying a version.
If the block was filled in a previously moderated version, it will be pre-filled when editing or copying — you can update the texts and submit the changes for moderation.
How to add FAQ
- On the version page, find the "Frequently Asked Questions and Answers" section.
- Click Add a question and answer.
- Enter the question and answer in the modal window.
- Save the changes. The question-and-answer pair will appear in the list. All additions/changes to the block are submitted for moderation together with the version.
- The block is optional, but you cannot specify a question without an answer or an answer without a question — the pair must be fully filled in.
- Maximum 10 question-and-answer pairs per version.
- Maximum length: 120 characters for a question, 500 characters for an answer.
- The block is displayed only on the web version of the application page.
Benefits of filling in the FAQ
- Higher conversion: address common objections and clarify mechanics directly on the application page.
- Reduced support load: answers to frequently asked questions are right next to the description and media.
- Better-informed users: the Q&A format helps users quickly understand the app's functionality.
- SEO effect: additional relevant text on the application page improves search visibility (when quality content guidelines are followed).
Write concisely and specifically; avoid marketing promises and technical jargon unless necessary. One question — one answer. If needed, provide links to relevant help sections.
Completing the app version upload
After filling in the version information, choose the appropriate option:
- Submit for moderation — if you have completed the form and the app files have been successfully uploaded and processed. The app will be sent for review.
- Save as draft — to save the entered information and return to editing later. You can save a draft even while the app files are in the processing stage. After processing is complete, the files will automatically appear in your draft.
To work with drafts, the following conditions must be met:
- creating, editing, and deleting a draft is available for the Account Owner, Administrator, Release Manager, and Developer roles;
- you can create only 1 draft version of the application.
Draft editing
To continue filling out the application upload form, follow these steps:
- Go to the Applications tab and select the Versions section.
- Click Edit next to your draft to go to the application upload form.
If you need to delete a draft, go to the actions menu and select Delete.
Conditions for adding a developer
To add a developer who will carry out operational activities with a specific application, the following conditions must be met:
- the developer has logged in to the RuStore Console;
- the developer has provided their VK ID to the employee who uploaded the application (in digital format).