ASO news digest for October 2026
Apple introduced new visual formats for app pages and App Store search results, while Google Play expanded AI-powered search with Ask Play and Gemini and updated the Play Console interface. All the key ASO updates from October – in our new digest.
App Store News
New Header and Search Results assets are now live in the App Store
On October 5, Apple opened access to the new assets it announced at WWDC 2026.
You can now add a large Header to your app page, and a separate image or video to search results instead of standard screenshots.
Unlike standard screenshots, these assets can be used for more than just showcasing an app’s interface. Apple allows developers to highlight their brand, seasonal offers, new content, and other marketing messages. Both formats support images and videos ranging from 5 to 30 seconds in length.
Apple provides official templates and best practices for creating these assets, while detailed technical requirements for images and videos are available in Apple’s specifications.
A New Asset Library Section Is Now Available in App Store Connect
Alongside the new visual formats, Apple introduced Asset Library, a centralized hub for managing screenshots, App Previews, and Creative Assets. Developers can upload, organize, and submit assets for review in advance. For example, they can prepare creatives for a seasonal campaign, get them approved by Apple, and use them when the promotion begins.
Apple also introduced Preview in App Store Connect, a tool that lets developers see how creative assets, screenshots, and other visual materials will appear on app product pages and in search results across different devices, orientations, and Dark Mode.
Apple Updates the Primary iPhone Screenshot Format
App Store Connect now lists iPhone with Dynamic Island (medium display) as the primary screenshot format for iPhone apps.
There’s no need to recreate existing screenshots: App Store Connect can automatically scale compatible images to fit other screen sizes. However, when preparing new creative assets, developers should follow the latest screenshot format requirements.
The full list of supported resolutions is available in Apple’s documentation
iPhone Duo Screenshots Will Become Mandatory in April 2027
On October 5, Apple enabled developers to submit apps and visual assets optimized for the foldable iPhone Duo through App Store Connect. Starting in April 2027, iPhone Duo screenshots will become mandatory when submitting apps built with the iOS 27.1 SDK or later.
Google Play News
Google Play Expands AI-Powered App Discovery with Ask Play and Gemini
On October 13, Google expanded its AI-powered app discovery features on Google Play. Ask Play can now compare apps directly in search results, including their subscription models and offline functionality. These comparisons draw on information from app store listings and user reviews.
At the same time, Google continues to expand app recommendations through Gemini. According to the company, Play in Gemini drove more than 6 million app installs in its first two months after launch. App recommendations are now also available in voice conversations through Gemini Live.
Google recommends that developers regularly update their app descriptions, tags, and Promotional Content, and use high-quality images and videos.
Google Updates the Play Console Homepage
Google has redesigned the Play Console homepage. Developers can now view key metrics for all their apps in one place and use filters to quickly identify apps with pending publishing tasks or policy violations.
The homepage now also displays alerts about sudden increases in crashes and ANR (Application Not Responding) errors, helping teams identify and address issues more quickly.
