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Apple TV: App Icon & Top Shelf Image

What images to upload for your Apple TV app icon layers and Top Shelf image, how to separate a logo from its background, and ideas for the Top Shelf banner.

Written by Robert Blessing

Here are some more details about what images you need to upload for the App Icon and Top Shelf Image:

App Icon:

All the layer images are combined into an app icon.

The layers are used to give the app icon some animation when people bring it into focus. You can see a preview of this behavior by hovering over the app icon preview on our Apple TV Publishing site.

Use proper layer separation:

You should split your final app icon into 2 or 3 layered images.

  • So uploading the same image for all 3 layers is not a good idea.

  • Transparent background: to avoid hiding the background image, the front and middle layers should always have a transparent background.

  • The middle layer is optional - do not upload an image here if you are unsure about it.

If your icon includes a logo or text, it is important to separate it from the background:

  • You can achieve this by uploading your logo or text image with a transparent background as the front layer.

  • Additionally, upload a background image as the background layer.

  • Please note that the middle layer is optional and not necessary.

Top Shelf Image:

The Apple TV home screen has a section called Top Shelf that displays banners/cards to highlight the content of the selected app.

So think of your Top Shelf image as a banner ad for your videos! Or a movie/TV poster.

Some ideas on what to put on your Top Shelf image:

  • The simplest option is to just show your logo in the Top Shelf Image.

  • Alternatively, you can show a screenshot of your video content.

  • The best option is to create some kind of movie poster or thumbnail image.

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