Getting Started with Amazon Underground

Introduction

This page describes how to submit your app to the Amazon Apps & Services Developer Portal for enrollment in the Amazon Underground program.

Preparing to Submit Your App to Amazon Underground

Before submitting your app, make sure that you have read through and addressed each of the items (as needed) in the Amazon Underground submission checklist:

[Amazon Underground Eligibility and Submission Checklist][underground/amazon-underground-eligibility-and-submission-checklists]

Submitting Your App

To enroll your app in the Amazon Underground program:

1. In your browser, go to the Amazon Underground landing page of the Amazon Apps & Services Developer Portal: Amazon Underground

2. Click the Submit your app link to start the submission process.

3. When prompted, select Android as the platform.

   The first page of Amazon Appstore app submission form loads.

4. On the General Information tab, enter the information for your app as described in Publishing Android Apps to the Amazon Appstore. Note the following requirements for Amazon Underground:

   • Title: If you currently have a non-Amazon Underground version of your game in the Amazon Appstore, the title for the Amazon Underground version of your game must match the non-Amazon Underground version.

   • App SKU: The Underground version of your game must have a unique SKU.

   Save your new app submission information.

5. Click the Availability & Pricing tab, and select Amazon Underground app.

   The Availability & Pricing tab displays additional options related to the Amazon Underground program.

6. Choose the appropriate options for your Amazon Underground app:

   1. Click the Amazon Underground link to review the eligibility requirements, which will enable the checkbox to indicate that you have read the requirements.

   2. Check the box to indicate that you have read the Amazon Underground eligibility requirements.

   3. Choose whether you want your Amazon Underground app to be available in all countries/regions where Amazon Underground is available, or choose a subset of countries/regions. For more information, see Updating Your App Submission.

   4. Indicate whether your app is monetized on other app stores via in-app purchases (IAP) and/or whether you charge for the app. If you charge for the app itself, provide the base list price for the app.

   5. Specify the date that you would like the app to become available on the Amazon Appstore.

   6. Save your Availability & Pricing data.

7. Click the Description tab, and enter the information for your app as described in Publishing Android Apps to the Amazon Appstore.

   For Underground, include the new value proposition for your app in the description fields. Try to address as many of the following questions as possible:

   • Call out specific differences between the Underground and non-Underground versions of your app, for example, unlocking all levels to start.
   • What is available in this app now that it is on Amazon Underground?
   • What is now free?
   • What can customers now access immediately?
   • How is the Amazon Underground version better than the non-Underground version?

   Sample description (Premium app): Totally free version of APP NAME available only through Amazon Underground. Sample description (Freemium app): Enjoy APP NAME with 100% free in-app items. Get extra lives, unlocked levels and more for free, only through Amazon. This Amazon Underground special edition unlocks all levels and removes in-game ads (a $X value)!!!

   Save your description information.

8. Click the Images & Multimedia tab, and upload the media assets for your app, as described in Publishing Android Apps to the Amazon Appstore. Make sure that you have added a sash to your launcher icon for Amazon Underground, as described in [Migrating Your App to Amazon Underground][underground/migrating-your-app-to-amazon-underground].

   Save your uploaded media assets.

9. Click the Content Rating tab, and choose the appropriate options for your app as described in Publishing Android Apps to the Amazon Appstore.

   Save your content ratings.

10. Click the Binary tab, and enter the information for your app as described in Publishing Android Apps to the Amazon Appstore. Note the following requirements for Amazon Underground:

    1. When you upload your binary file, the Amazon Underground version must have a unique package name across all platforms that sell your app, including the Amazon Appstore. To keep things simple, consider appending ".underground" to your app's package name.

    2. The Device Support options are limited to the mobile devices that support Amazon Underground at the time that you submit your app.

    3. In the Testing Instructions field, include a URL for your app's listing in the Google Play store or Apple App Store. This information helps Amazon verify that your app is monetized elsewhere, helping confirm that requirement for Amazon Underground eligibility.

    Save your binary upload and related information.

11. Click Submit App to submit your app to the Amazon Appstore.

Updating Your App Submission

To update your app submission metadata:

1. Log in to your developer account.
2. Go to the Dashboard that appears on the first post-login screen.
3. Click the link to the app that you want to update.
4. Make the appropriate changes to your app's metadata.
5. Save your changes.

To update the countries and territories where your app is available, go to the Availability & Pricing tab for your app. Make sure to also update any corresponding pricing information.

Leaving Amazon Underground

You can remove your app from Amazon Underground if your app meets the requirements detailed by the Amazon Underground Schedule.If you remove your app from Amazon Underground or if your app is removed by Amazon, you can keep a non-Underground version of your app in the Amazon Appstore. However, in this case, you must submit the non-Underground version as a new, separate app if you did not already have a non-Underground version in the Amazon Appstore.

Last updated: Jul 13, 2017