Android Nomad #61 - Should You Really Support Your App on Every Form Factor?

Given high adoption beyond phones i.e. tablets, smart tvs, watch, in-car systems, it may seem a natural to support for these form-factors. But that’s necessarily not the case even if there is a push from the framework to do so.

Supporting a wide range of devices sounds appealing in theory: your app reaches more users, and you can showcase versatility. However, the reality is that each form factor brings its own unique challenges. Tablets require thoughtful use of screen real estate and often call for multi-pane layouts. Smart TVs have remote-based navigation and expect a “lean back” experience, which is vastly different from touch-driven interfaces. In-car systems demand minimal distractions, voice-first interactions, and strict safety guidelines.

Before jumping into multi-device support, it’s crucial to ask: does your app genuinely benefit from being available on these platforms? For some apps—like media players, messaging, or navigation—the answer may be yes. For others, shoehorning the experience onto a TV or car screen can lead to a clunky, unsatisfying user experience.

There’s also the maintenance burden. Every new form factor means additional testing, UI adaptations, and a need to keep up with platform-specific guidelines. Fragmentation is real, and it’s easy to stretch your resources thin chasing every device class.

How Do You Decide Which Form Factors to Support?

The decision to expand your app beyond phones shouldn’t be made lightly. Here are some guiding questions and considerations to help you make a strategic choice:

• Who are your users, and where do they want your app?
  Analyze your user base and usage data. Are people sideloading your app onto tablets, TVs, or watches? Do you receive requests for support on specific devices? User demand is a strong signal, but it’s not the only factor.
• Does your app’s core value translate well to other form factors?
  Not every app benefits from being on every device. For example, a reading app might thrive on tablets, but not make sense for cars. Consider whether your primary features can be meaningfully adapted to different environments.
• What is the cost of support?
  Each new form factor introduces design, development, and testing overhead. Are you equipped to maintain quality across platforms, or will this dilute your focus?
• Is there a strategic advantage?
  Sometimes, early adoption of a new platform can give your app a competitive edge or open up new markets. Weigh this against the risks of spreading your team too thin.
• Can you iterate?
  Rather than a big-bang launch, consider incremental support—start with responsive layouts, then add platform-specific features as you validate demand.

Post Evaluation

If you do choose to expand, do it iteratively. Jetpack Compose offers a wide range of options to choose from that help you support multiple form factors in manageable steps.

I highly encourage to read canonical layouts that gives you a head start on pretty much 90% use cases along with these guides.

In the end, supporting more devices can be rewarding—but only when it’s intentional and user-driven. Don’t let FOMO or external pressure dictate your roadmap. Focus on delivering the best possible experience where it truly matters.