Designing Android apps for tablets

Question

In the Play developer console it says:

Your APK does not seem to be designed for tablets

But I have added layouts to layout-sw600dp, layout-sw600dp-land, layout-sw720dp and layout-sw720dp-land folders. The complete manifest (as it is):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.technicosa.unjumble"
android:versionCode="1"
android:versionName="1.0" >

<uses-sdk
    android:minSdkVersion="9"
    android:targetSdkVersion="18" />

<supports-screens
    android:anyDensity="true"
    android:largeScreens="true"
    android:normalScreens="true"
    android:resizeable="true"
    android:smallScreens="true"
    android:xlargeScreens="true" />

<application
    android:allowBackup="true"
    android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
    android:label="@string/app_name"
    android:theme="@style/Theme.Sherlock.Light.DarkActionBar" >
    <activity
        android:name="com.technicosa.unjumble.MainActivity"
        android:label="@string/app_name" >
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
        </intent-filter>
    </activity>
    <activity
        android:name="com.technicosa.unjumble.UserSettingsActivity"
        android:label="@string/title_activity_user_settings" >
    </activity>
</application>

The app runs perfectly on both Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 in the emulator. Also in the developer console under optimization tips it says:

Your Production APK needs to meet the following criteria: Uses available screen space on 10-inch tablets

A screenshot of my app:

While the app seems to run on tablets (I have tested only on emulator), what must be done to fulfill the Play criteria?

Answer 1

I was able to solve it by uploading another screenshot for 10-inch tablet which contains less white space than previous my screenshot.

Answer 2

It seems all to be about screenshots! I have quoted this from google play listing store section in google play console 24/09/2015 :

Screenshots: *

Default – Arabic – ar JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha). Min length for any side: 320px. Max length for any side: 3840px.

At least 2 screenshots are required overall. Max 8 screenshots per type. Drag to reorder or to move between types.

For your app to be showcased in the 'Designed for tablets' list in the Play Store, you need to upload at least one 7-inch and one 10-inch screenshot. If you previously uploaded screenshots, make sure to move them into the right area below.

I uploaded new screenshots, the problem was solved!

Actually depending on the screenshots is more logical than depending on analysing the APK. Since some apps has not lots of contents to show!

Happy Androiding!

Answer 3

I think you may have problem with layout folders layout-sw600dp, layout-sw600dp-land, layout-sw720dp and layout-sw720dp-land

Try layout folders like layout-xlarge, layout-xlarge-land and put your dimens at values-sw600dp and values-sw720dp

And also have a look at the below link

http://developer.android.com/distribute/googleplay/quality/tablet.html

Answer 4

If you are sure that folder layout-sw600dp, layout-sw600dp-land, layout-sw720dp and layout-sw720dp-land are well written, i think that it is not necessary to write this part of code:

<supports-screens android:resizeable="true"
      android:smallScreens="true"
      android:normalScreens="true"
      android:largeScreens="true"
      android:xlargeScreens="true"
      android:anyDensity="true" />

If you plan to target all Android devices. Try it!

Then check if you already posted some screeshot for 10" Tablets and 7" Tablets in their relative section. I had this warning until i posted some screenshots.

Answer 5

On the link https://developer.android.com/distribute/marketing-tools/device-art-generator they have mentioned a note

Do not use graphics created here in your feature image or screenshots for your Google Play store listing, using the screenshot alone without framing is recommended. See the Google Play graphics guidelines.

I have tried updating screenshot without device frame and the warning is gone.

Answer 6

Replacing folders layout-sw600dp, layout-sw600dp-land, layout-sw720dp and layout-sw720dp-land with layout-xlarge, layout-xlarge-land added a new message: "your apk does not seem to be designed for tablets."

Solved the problem after what's stated here.

Take advantage of extra screen area available on tablets

• Look for opportunities to include additional content or use an alternative treatment of existing content.

• Use multi-pane layouts on tablet screens to combine single views into a compound view. This lets you use the additional screen area more efficiently and makes it easier for users to navigate your app.

The problem was really the white space and had nothing to do with the xmls.

I managed to make the message for 7i tabs go away by rearranging the layouts to cover the screen and not leave too much white space. But not for the 10i tablets as the area is too big and my app has very less content. I must consider additional content.