Manage different form factor releases on dedicated tracks

We’re making changes to the way Wear OS apps are released. To publish Wear OS updates after the end of August, create a dedicated Wear OS release track. See the Migrate existing Wear OS releases section below for more information.

You can use dedicated tracks to manage app releases for different form factors — such as Wear OS and Android TV apps — in Play Console.

Understanding track changes in Play Console

We are currently making changes to the way developers manage their releases for each form factor by introducing dedicated release tracks for different form factors. This makes it easier for developers to

• Roll out certain releases (for example, a Wear OS release) independent of other form factor releases.
• Simplify testing by having dedicated tracks to configure and manage testers for.

In March 2023, we enabled the "Wear OS Only" track specifically for Wear OS app bundles and APKs, which is managed separately from the mobile release track. In October 2023, we introduced a dedicated track for Android TV releases: "Android TV Only."

If you have an existing Wear OS release on the standard track, you must migrate it to the Wear OS track. Read the section below for more information.

Migrate existing releases and using dedicated tracks

If you currently have Wear OS apps that that you want to continue distributing on Google Play, you must migrate these releases from the mobile release track to their dedicated tracks. You can also simplify your Android TV app management by using the dedicated Android TV track. 

Expand or collapse the sections below to learn how to migrate existing releases to their dedicated tracks in Play Console.

Migrate an existing Wear OS release

As of September 2023, Wear OS releases that have not yet been migrated from mobile release tracks still serve users, but you cannot update them. You must migrate these releases to the Wear OS Only track to update them.

To migrate your release:

1. Open Play Console, go to the Production page (Release > Production)..
2. If your release contains a Wear OS app bundle, you'll see a notification at the top of the page stating that your bundle contains a Wear OS app and will be blocked from rolling out. Click Create a Wear OS track under the notification.
3. Choose one of the following options:
   • Copy testers, countries, and app bundles from existing tracks: Testers, countries, and app bundles will be copied from your existing testing and production tracks. You'll still be able to make changes. App bundles won't be copied for tracks where you have a staged rollout in progress. To copy app bundles, finish your staged rollouts before continuing. If you're an API user you'll need to update your integration to use the new track ID.
   • Don't copy testers, countries, and app bundles: If you choose this option, you'll need to add this information when preparing your Wear OS release.
4. Click Create tracks

After you begin to serve your app to users via the Wear Os Only release track, remove redundant Wear OS app bundles and APKs from your mobile release track. From this point, you can manage your Wear OS releases and users separately from your mobile release or other form factor releases.

Use a dedicated release track for Android TV apps

Using the dedicated release track for Android TV apps is optional and you can continue to serve Android TV app users via your mobile release track. However, we recommend using the dedicated release track for Android TV as best practice.

To use a dedicated release track for Android TV:

1. Open Play Console and go to the Advanced settings page (Release > Setup > Advanced settings).
2. Select the Form factors tab.
3. If Android TV is not already targeted, click + Add form factor and select Android TV. "Android TV" will be added to the Form factors tab.
4. Next to "Android TV," click Manage.
5. Next to "Releases," select Use a dedicated release track for Android TV.
6. Select Opt-in to Android TV. Your app will be reviewed against the Android TV quality guidelines.
   • Note: To opt-in to Android TV, you must have uploaded Android TV screenshots for all store listings. If you haven't done this yet, you can click Save, upload your Android TV screenshots, and then return to opt in.
7. Click Save.
   • Note: After saving, you'll manage your Android TV releases and users separately to your mobile release (or other) app. This can't be changed.

After you begin to serve your app to users via the Android TV release track, remove redundant Android app bundles and APKs from your mobile release track. From this point, you can manage your Android TV releases and users separately from your mobile release or other form factor releases.

Note for API users

After you create dedicated Wear OS release tracks, you'll no longer be able to use the existing API to release Wear OS app bundles or APKs using your mobile release track. You must update your integration to use the new Wear OS track IDs.

Learn more about identifying form factor tracks on the Android Developers site.

Prepare a new release

Expand or collapse the sections below to learn how to prepare a release for different form factors in Play Console.

Prepare a new Wear OS release

Prerequisite: If you're creating a Wear OS experience for the first time, you must use a Wear OS-enabled app bundle. Using a Wear OS-enabled app bundle means you only need to build, sign, and upload a single artifact once to support your app’s installed version and Wear OS experience.

To prepare for distribution on Wear OS:

1. Open Play Console and go to the Advanced settings page (Release > Setup > Advanced settings).
2. Select the Form factors tab, and click Add new form factor.
3. Select Wear OS.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to:
   • Upload a Wear OS screenshot; and
   • Upload a Wear OS app bundle to a test track.
5. Return to the Advanced settings page, and click Manage in the "Wear OS" section.
6. Opt-in to distribution and terms of service. 

Once you opt-in and publish your app, our team will review your app to help ensure that it follows the Wear OS app quality guidelines. You can also opt-out should you change your mind later. You can also opt-in for potential inclusion in Wear OS collections on Google Play.

Learn more about how to distribute your app to Wear OS.

Prepare a new Android TV release

Prerequisite: If you're creating an Android TV experience for the first time, you must use an Android TV-enabled app bundle. Using an Android TV-enabled app bundle means you only need to build, sign, and upload a single artifact once to support your app’s installed version and Android TV experience.

To prepare for distribution on Android TV:

1. Open Play Console and go to the Advanced settings page (Release > Setup > Advanced settings).
2. Select the Form factors tab, and click Add new form factor.
3. Select Android TV.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to:
   • Upload an Android TV screenshot; and
   • Upload an Android TV app bundle to a test track.
5. Return to the Advanced settings page, and click Manage in the "Android TV" section.
6. Opt-in to distribution and terms of service.

Once you opt-in and publish your app, our team will review your app to help ensure that it follows the TV app quality guidelines. You can also opt-out should you change your mind later. You can also opt-in for potential inclusion in Android TV collections on Google Play.

Learn more about how to distribute your app to Android TV.

Unpublish an app

When you unpublish an app, existing users can still use your app and receive app updates. Your app won’t be available for new users to find and download on Google Play.

Prerequisites: Before you can an unpublish an app, you must ensure that:

• You have accepted the latest Developer Distribution Agreement.
• Your app has no errors that need to be addressed, such as failing to fill in the content rating questionnaire or provide details about your app's target audience and content.
• Managed publishing is not active for the app you want to unpublish.

To unpublish your app:

1. Open Play Console and go to the Advanced settings page (Release > Setup > Advanced settings).
2. On the App Availability tab, select Unpublished.

Should you decide to make your app available for new users again, you can return here and select Published.

Frequently asked questions

When does the default track stop serving Wear OS devices?

The default track will automatically stop serving Wear OS devices when your Wear OS release in the "Wear OS Only" track has been reviewed, approved, and is available on Google Play.

What happens to Wear OS app bundles and APKs remaining on the default track during and after the migration period?

They will be served to Wear OS devices during the migration period from May until the end of August. From September, when the migration period ends, you will be prompted to remove any Wear OS app bundles and APKs that remain on default tracks.