Adaptive Screens Guidelines
Requirements for large screens, tablets, foldables, and multi-window support.
Adaptive Quality Tiers
Google defines three progressive quality tiers for adaptive apps:
Tier 3: Adaptive Ready (Basic)
Minimum requirements for all apps:
| Requirement |
Description |
| Full screen |
App fills display, no letterboxing |
| Configuration changes |
Handles rotation, folding, resizing |
| Multi-window |
Supports split-screen mode |
| Basic input |
Keyboard, mouse, trackpad support |
Tier 2: Adaptive Optimized (Better)
Enhanced experience:
| Requirement |
Description |
| Layout optimization |
Responsive layouts for all sizes |
| Enhanced input |
Full keyboard shortcuts, mouse hover states |
| Continuity |
Seamless state preservation |
Tier 1: Adaptive Differentiated (Best)
Device-specific excellence:
| Requirement |
Description |
| Multitasking |
Drag and drop, activity embedding |
| Foldable postures |
Table-top mode, book mode support |
| Stylus |
Full stylus input support |
| Desktop |
Windowed mode optimization |
Screen Size Classes
Width-Based Classes
| Class |
Width |
Typical Devices |
| Compact |
< 600dp |
Phone portrait |
| Medium |
600-840dp |
Tablet portrait, phone landscape |
| Expanded |
> 840dp |
Tablet landscape, desktop |
Layout Strategies
| Screen Class |
Navigation |
Content Layout |
| Compact |
Bottom nav |
Single pane |
| Medium |
Nav rail |
List-detail (optional) |
| Expanded |
Nav drawer/rail |
List-detail, multi-pane |
Configuration Changes
Must Handle
| Change |
Trigger |
| Rotation |
Device rotated |
| Fold/Unfold |
Foldable state change |
| Window resize |
Multi-window adjustment |
| Split screen |
Enter/exit split mode |
| Keyboard |
External keyboard attach/detach |
Configuration Handling
| Approach |
Description |
| Let system handle |
Default, activity recreated |
| Handle manually |
Declare configChanges, implement onConfigurationChanged |
State Preservation
- Use ViewModel for UI state
- Use SavedStateHandle for process death
- Test with "Don't keep activities" enabled
Multi-Window Support
Requirements
| Feature |
Status |
| resizeableActivity |
true (default API 24+) |
| Minimum size |
Support 220dp width |
| State handling |
Preserve across resize |
Best Practices
- Don't assume full-screen ownership
- Handle onConfigurationChanged gracefully
- Test at minimum supported size
- Support free-form windows (desktop mode)
Foldable Devices
Postures
| Posture |
Description |
Use Case |
| Flat |
Fully open |
Normal tablet use |
| Half-opened (tabletop) |
Hinged at ~90° horizontal |
Video calls, media |
| Half-opened (book) |
Hinged at ~90° vertical |
Reading, productivity |
| Folded |
Closed |
Compact phone mode |
Design Considerations
- Avoid placing interactive elements on the fold
- Consider separate content for each screen segment
- Support continuity when fold state changes
- Use WindowInfoTracker to detect fold state
External Input Devices
Keyboard Support
| Requirement |
Implementation |
| Tab navigation |
Focusable elements in order |
| Enter/Space |
Activates focused element |
| Arrow keys |
Navigate lists, grids |
| Shortcuts |
Common actions (Ctrl+S, etc.) |
| Focus indicators |
Visible focus states |
Mouse/Trackpad Support
| Requirement |
Implementation |
| Hover states |
Visual feedback on hover |
| Right-click |
Context menu support |
| Scroll |
Smooth scrolling |
| Pointer cursor |
Appropriate cursor types |
Stylus Support
| Feature |
Implementation |
| Pressure sensitivity |
Variable stroke width |
| Palm rejection |
Ignore palm touches |
| Tilt detection |
Shading effects |
| Hover preview |
Show cursor before touch |
Navigation Patterns
By Screen Width
| Width |
Primary Nav |
Secondary Nav |
| < 600dp |
Bottom nav (3-5 items) |
Hamburger menu |
| 600-840dp |
Navigation rail |
Drawer on demand |
| > 840dp |
Permanent drawer or rail |
Drawer or none |
Navigation Rail Specs
| Property |
Value |
| Width |
80dp |
| Icon size |
24dp |
| Touch target |
56dp |
| Items |
3-7 destinations |
| FAB |
Optional, at top |
Permanent Navigation Drawer
| Property |
Value |
| Width |
256-360dp |
| Position |
Left edge (LTR) |
| Behavior |
Always visible |
| Content |
Full labels, icons |
Responsive Layouts
Breakpoints
| Class |
Width Range |
| COMPACT |
< 600dp |
| MEDIUM |
600-840dp |
| EXPANDED |
> 840dp |
Use WindowSizeClass to determine current breakpoint and adapt layout accordingly.
Content Considerations
Text Readability
- Line length: 45-75 characters max
- Use multiple columns on wide screens
- Maintain hierarchy with consistent spacing
Media
- Support multiple aspect ratios
- Provide high-resolution assets
- Consider picture-in-picture for video
Touch vs. Precise Input
- Large screens often use mouse/keyboard
- Don't assume touch-only interaction
- Provide hover states and tooltips
Testing
Device Matrix
| Device Type |
Test Priority |
| Phone (portrait) |
Required |
| Phone (landscape) |
Required |
| Tablet (both orientations) |
Required |
| Foldable (all postures) |
High |
| Desktop/Chromebook |
Medium |
Test Cases
