App open ads

This guide is intended for publishers integrating app open ads using the Google Mobile Ads SDK.

App open ads are a special ad format intended for publishers wishing to monetize their app load screens. App open ads can be closed at any time, and are designed to be shown when your users bring your app to the foreground.

Note: Specific format may vary by region.

App open ads automatically show a small branding area so users know they're in your app. Here is an example of what an app open ad looks like:

Prerequisites

• Complete the Get started guide.

Always test with test ads

When building and testing your apps, make sure you use test ads rather than live, production ads. Failure to do so can lead to suspension of your account.

The easiest way to load test ads is to use our dedicated test ad unit ID for app open ads:

/21775744923/example/app-open

It's been specially configured to return test ads for every request, and you're free to use it in your own apps while coding, testing, and debugging. Just make sure you replace it with your own ad unit ID before publishing your app.

For more information about how the Google Mobile Ads SDK's test ads work, see Enable test ads.

Extend the Application class

Create a new class that extends the Application class, and add the following code to initialize the Google Mobile Ads SDK when your app is starting.

Kotlin

/** Application class that initializes, loads and show ads when activities change states. */
class MyApplication : Application() {

  override fun onCreate() {
    super<Application>.onCreate()
    CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO).launch {
      // Initialize the Mobile Ads SDK synchronously on a background thread.
      MobileAds.initialize(this@MyApplication, InitializationConfig.Builder(APP_ID).build()) {}
    }
  }

  private companion object {
    // Sample AdMob App ID.
    const val APP_ID = "ca-app-pub-3940256099942544~3347511713"
  }
}

Java

/** Application class that initializes, loads and show ads when activities change states. */
public class MyApplication extends Application {

  // Sample AdMob App ID.
  private static final String APP_ID = "ca-app-pub-3940256099942544~3347511713";

  @Override
  public void onCreate() {
    super.onCreate();
    new Thread(
        () -> {
          // Initialize the Google Mobile Ads SDK on a background thread.
          MobileAds.initialize(
              MyApplication.this,
              new InitializationConfig.Builder(APP_ID).build(),
              initializationStatus -> {});
        })
        .start();
  }
}

This initializes the SDK and provides the skeleton where you'll later register for app foregrounding events.

Next, add the following code to your AndroidManifest.xml:

<!-- TODO: Update to reference your actual package name. -->
<application
    android:name="com.google.android.gms.example.appopendemo.MyApplication" ...>
...
</application>

Implement your utility component

Your ad should show quickly, so it's best to load your ad before you need to display it. That way, you'll have an ad ready to go as soon as your user enters into your app.

Implement a utility component AppOpenAdManager to make ad requests ahead of when you need to show the ad.

Kotlin

/**
* Interface definition for a callback to be invoked when an app open ad is complete (i.e. dismissed
* or fails to show).
*/
fun interface OnShowAdCompleteListener {
  fun onShowAdComplete()
}

/** Singleton object that loads and shows app open ads. */
object AppOpenAdManager {
  private var appOpenAd: AppOpenAd? = null
  private var isLoadingAd = false
  var isShowingAd = false

  /**
  * Load an ad.
  *
  * @param context a context used to perform UI-related operations (e.g. display Toast messages).
  *   Showing the app open ad itself does not require a context.
  */
  fun loadAd(context: Context) {
    // We will implement this later.
  }

  /**
  * Show the ad if one isn't already showing.
  *
  * @param activity the activity that shows the app open ad.
  * @param onShowAdCompleteListener the listener to be notified when an app open ad is complete.
  */
  fun showAdIfAvailable(activity: Activity, onShowAdCompleteListener: OnShowAdCompleteListener?) {
    // We will implement this later.
  }

  /** Check if ad exists and can be shown. */
  private fun isAdAvailable(): Boolean {
    return appOpenAd != null
  }
}

Java

/** Singleton object that loads and shows app open ads. */
public class AppOpenAdManager {

  /**
  * Interface definition for a callback to be invoked when an app open ad is complete (i.e.
  * dismissed or fails to show).
  */
  public interface OnShowAdCompleteListener {
    void onShowAdComplete();
  }

  private static AppOpenAdManager instance;
  private AppOpenAd appOpenAd;
  private boolean isLoadingAd = false;
  private boolean isShowingAd = false;

  /** Keep track of the time an app open ad is loaded to ensure you don't show an expired ad. */
  private long loadTime = 0;

  public static synchronized AppOpenAdManager getInstance() {
    if (instance == null) {
      instance = new AppOpenAdManager();
    }
    return instance;
  }

  /**
  * Load an ad.
  *
  * @param context a context used to perform UI-related operations (e.g. display Toast messages).
  *     Loading the app open ad itself does not require a context.
  */
  public void loadAd(@NonNull Context context) {
    // We will implement this later.
  }

  /**
  * Show the ad if one isn't already showing.
  *
  * @param activity the activity that shows the app open ad.
  * @param onShowAdCompleteListener the listener to be notified when an app open ad is complete.
  */
  public void showAdIfAvailable(
      @NonNull Activity activity, @Nullable OnShowAdCompleteListener onShowAdCompleteListener) {
    // We will implement this later.
  }

  /** Check if ad exists and can be shown. */
  private boolean isAdAvailable() {
    return appOpenAd != null
  }
}

Load an ad

The next step is to fill out the loadAd() method and handle the ad load callbacks.

Kotlin

/**
 * Load an ad.
 *
 * @param context a context used to perform UI-related operations (e.g. display Toast messages).
 *   Loading the app open ad itself does not require a context.
 */
fun loadAd(context: Context) {
  // Do not load ad if there is an unused ad or one is already loading.
  if (isLoadingAd || isAdAvailable()) {
    Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad is either loading or has already loaded.")
    return
  }

  isLoadingAd = true
  AppOpenAd.load(
    AdRequest.Builder(AppOpenFragment.AD_UNIT_ID).build(),
    object : AdLoadCallback<AppOpenAd> {
      /**
       * Called when an app open ad has loaded.
       *
       * @param ad the loaded app open ad.
       */
      override fun onAdLoaded(ad: AppOpenAd) {
        // Called when an ad has loaded.
        appOpenAd = ad
        isLoadingAd = false
        Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad loaded.")
      }

      /**
       * Called when an app open ad has failed to load.
       *
       * @param loadAdError the error.
       */
      override fun onAdFailedToLoad(loadAdError: LoadAdError) {
        isLoadingAd = false
        Log.w(Constant.TAG, "App open ad failed to load: $loadAdError")
      }
    },
  )
}

Java

/**
 * Load an ad.
 *
 * @param context a context used to perform UI-related operations (e.g. display Toast messages).
 *     Loading the app open ad itself does not require a context.
 */
public void loadAd(@NonNull Context context) {
  // Do not load ad if there is an unused ad or one is already loading.
  if (isLoadingAd || isAdAvailable()) {
    Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad is either loading or has already loaded.");
    return;
  }

  isLoadingAd = true;
  AppOpenAd.load(
      new AdRequest.Builder(AppOpenFragment.AD_UNIT_ID).build(),
      new AdLoadCallback<AppOpenAd>() {
        @Override
        public void onAdLoaded(@NonNull AppOpenAd ad) {
          appOpenAd = ad;
          isLoadingAd = false;
          Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad loaded.");
        }

        @Override
        public void onAdFailedToLoad(@NonNull LoadAdError loadAdError) {
          isLoadingAd = false;
          Log.w(Constant.TAG, "App open ad failed to load: " + loadAdError);
        }
      });
}

Show the ad and handle fullscreen callback events

The most common app open implementation is to attempt to show an app open ad near app launch, start app content if the ad isn't ready, and preload another ad for the next app open opportunity. See App open ad guidance for implementation examples.

The following code demonstrates how to show and subsequently reload an ad:

Kotlin

/**
 * Show the ad if one isn't already showing.
 *
 * @param activity the activity that shows the app open ad.
 * @param onShowAdCompleteListener the listener to be notified when an app open ad is complete.
 */
fun showAdIfAvailable(activity: Activity, onShowAdCompleteListener: OnShowAdCompleteListener?) {
  // If the app open ad is already showing, do not show the ad again.
  if (isShowingAd) {
    Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad is already showing.")
    onShowAdCompleteListener?.onShowAdComplete()
    return
  }

  // If the app open ad is not available yet, invoke the callback.
  if (!isAdAvailable()) {
    Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad is not ready yet.")
    onShowAdCompleteListener?.onShowAdComplete()
    return
  }

  appOpenAd?.adEventCallback =
    object : AppOpenAdEventCallback {
      override fun onAdShowedFullScreenContent() {
        Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad showed.")
      }

      override fun onAdDismissedFullScreenContent() {
        Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad dismissed.")
        appOpenAd = null
        isShowingAd = false
        onShowAdCompleteListener?.onShowAdComplete()
        loadAd(activity)
      }

      override fun onAdFailedToShowFullScreenContent(
        fullScreenContentError: FullScreenContentError
      ) {
        appOpenAd = null
        isShowingAd = false
        Log.w(Constant.TAG, "App open ad failed to show: $fullScreenContentError")
        onShowAdCompleteListener?.onShowAdComplete()
        loadAd(activity)
      }

      override fun onAdImpression() {
        Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad recorded an impression.")
      }

      override fun onAdClicked() {
        Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad recorded a click.")
      }
    }

  isShowingAd = true
  appOpenAd?.show(activity)
}

Java

/**
 * Show the ad if one isn't already showing.
 *
 * @param activity the activity that shows the app open ad.
 * @param onShowAdCompleteListener the listener to be notified when an app open ad is complete.
 */
public void showAdIfAvailable(
    @NonNull Activity activity, @Nullable OnShowAdCompleteListener onShowAdCompleteListener) {
  // If the app open ad is already showing, do not show the ad again.
  if (isShowingAd) {
    Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad is already showing.");
    if (onShowAdCompleteListener != null) {
      onShowAdCompleteListener.onShowAdComplete();
    }
    return;
  }

  // If the app open ad is not available yet, invoke the callback.
  if (!isAdAvailable()) {
    Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad is not ready yet.");
    if (onShowAdCompleteListener != null) {
      onShowAdCompleteListener.onShowAdComplete();
    }
    return;
  }

  appOpenAd.setAdEventCallback(
      new AppOpenAdEventCallback() {
        @Override
        public void onAdShowedFullScreenContent() {
          Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad shown.");
        }

        @Override
        public void onAdDismissedFullScreenContent() {
          Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad dismissed.");
          appOpenAd = null;
          isShowingAd = false;
          if (onShowAdCompleteListener != null) {
            onShowAdCompleteListener.onShowAdComplete();
          }
          loadAd(activity);
        }

        @Override
        public void onAdFailedToShowFullScreenContent(
            @NonNull FullScreenContentError fullScreenContentError) {
          appOpenAd = null;
          isShowingAd = false;
          Log.w(Constant.TAG, "App open ad failed to show: " + fullScreenContentError);
          if (onShowAdCompleteListener != null) {
            onShowAdCompleteListener.onShowAdComplete();
          }
          loadAd(activity);
        }

        @Override
        public void onAdImpression() {
          Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad recorded an impression.");
        }

        @Override
        public void onAdClicked() {
          Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad recorded a click.");
        }
      });

  isShowingAd = true;
  appOpenAd.show(activity);
}

The AppOpenAdEventCallback handles events such as when the ad is presented, fails to present, or when it is dismissed.

Key Point: If a user returns to your app after having left it by clicking on an app open ad, it makes sure they're not presented with another app open ad.

Consider ad expiration

Key Point: App open ads will time out after four hours. Ads rendered more than four hours after request time will no longer be valid and may not earn revenue.

To ensure you don't show an expired ad, add a method to the AppOpenAdManager that checks how long it has been since your ad reference loaded. Then, use that method to check if the ad is still valid.

Kotlin

object AppOpenAdManager {
  // ...
  /** Keep track of the time an app open ad is loaded to ensure you don't show an expired ad. */
  private var loadTime: Long = 0;
  
  /**
   * Load an ad.
   *
   * @param context a context used to perform UI-related operations (e.g. display Toast messages).
   *   Loading the app open ad itself does not require a context.
   */
  fun loadAd(context: Context) {
    // Do not load ad if there is an unused ad or one is already loading.
    if (isLoadingAd || isAdAvailable()) {
      Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad is either loading or has already loaded.")
      return
    }

    isLoadingAd = true
    AppOpenAd.load(
      AdRequest.Builder(AppOpenFragment.AD_UNIT_ID).build(),
      object : AdLoadCallback<AppOpenAd> {
        /**
         * Called when an app open ad has loaded.
         *
         * @param ad the loaded app open ad.
         */
        override fun onAdLoaded(ad: AppOpenAd) {
          // Called when an ad has loaded.
          appOpenAd = ad
          isLoadingAd = false
          loadTime = Date().time
          Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad loaded.")
        }

        /**
         * Called when an app open ad has failed to load.
         *
         * @param loadAdError the error.
         */
        override fun onAdFailedToLoad(loadAdError: LoadAdError) {
          isLoadingAd = false
          Log.w(Constant.TAG, "App open ad failed to load: $loadAdError")
        }
      },
    )
  }

  // ...

  /** Check if ad was loaded more than n hours ago. */
  private fun wasLoadTimeLessThanNHoursAgo(numHours: Long): Boolean {
    val dateDifference: Long = Date().time - loadTime
    val numMilliSecondsPerHour: Long = 3600000
    return dateDifference < numMilliSecondsPerHour * numHours
  }

  /** Check if ad exists and can be shown. */
  private fun isAdAvailable(): Boolean {
    // App open ads expire after four hours. Ads rendered more than four hours after request time
    // are no longer valid and may not earn revenue.
    return appOpenAd != null && wasLoadTimeLessThanNHoursAgo(4)
  }
}

Java

public class AppOpenAdManager {
  // ...
  /** Keep track of the time an app open ad is loaded to ensure you don't show an expired ad. */
  private long loadTime = 0;
  
  /**
   * Load an ad.
   *
   * @param context a context used to perform UI-related operations (e.g. display Toast messages).
   *     Loading the app open ad itself does not require a context.
   */
  public void loadAd(@NonNull Context context) {
    // Do not load ad if there is an unused ad or one is already loading.
    if (isLoadingAd || isAdAvailable()) {
      Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad is either loading or has already loaded.");
      return;
    }

    isLoadingAd = true;
    AppOpenAd.load(
        new AdRequest.Builder(AppOpenFragment.AD_UNIT_ID).build(),
        new AdLoadCallback<AppOpenAd>() {
          @Override
          public void onAdLoaded(@NonNull AppOpenAd ad) {
            appOpenAd = ad;
            isLoadingAd = false;
            loadTime = new Date().getTime();
            Log.d(Constant.TAG, "App open ad loaded.");
          }

          @Override
          public void onAdFailedToLoad(@NonNull LoadAdError loadAdError) {
            isLoadingAd = false;
            Log.w(Constant.TAG, "App open ad failed to load: " + loadAdError);
          }
        });
  }

  // ...

  /** Check if ad was loaded more than n hours ago. */
  private boolean wasLoadTimeLessThanNHoursAgo(long numHours) {
    long dateDifference = new Date().getTime() - loadTime;
    long numMilliSecondsPerHour = 3600000L;
    return dateDifference < numMilliSecondsPerHour * numHours;
  }

  /** Check if ad exists and can be shown. */
  private boolean isAdAvailable() {
    // App open ads expire after four hours. Ads rendered more than four hours after request time
    // are no longer valid and may not earn revenue.
    return appOpenAd != null && wasLoadTimeLessThanNHoursAgo(4);
  }
}

Keep track of current activity

To show the ad, you'll need an Activity context. To keep track of the most current activity being used, register for and implement the Application.ActivityLifecycleCallbacks.

Kotlin

class MyApplication : Application(), Application.ActivityLifecycleCallbacks {

  private var currentActivity: Activity? = null

  override fun onCreate() {
    super<Application>.onCreate()
    registerActivityLifecycleCallbacks(this)
  }

  /** ActivityLifecycleCallback methods. */
  override fun onActivityCreated(activity: Activity, savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {}

  override fun onActivityStarted(activity: Activity) {
    currentActivity = activity
  }

  override fun onActivityResumed(activity: Activity) {}

  override fun onActivityPaused(activity: Activity) {}

  override fun onActivityStopped(activity: Activity) {}

  override fun onActivitySaveInstanceState(activity: Activity, outState: Bundle) {}

  override fun onActivityDestroyed(activity: Activity) {}

  // ...
}

Java

public class MyApplication extends Application
  implements Application.ActivityLifecycleCallbacks {

  private Activity currentActivity;

  @Override
  public void onCreate() {
    super.onCreate();
    registerActivityLifecycleCallbacks(this);
  }

  /** ActivityLifecycleCallback methods. */
  @Override
  public void onActivityCreated(@NonNull Activity activity, @Nullable Bundle bundle) {}

  @Override
  public void onActivityStarted(@NonNull Activity activity) {
    currentActivity = activity;
  }

  @Override
  public void onActivityResumed(@NonNull Activity activity) {}

  @Override
  public void onActivityPaused(@NonNull Activity activity) {}

  @Override
  public void onActivityStopped(@NonNull Activity activity) {}

  @Override
  public void onActivitySaveInstanceState(@NonNull Activity activity, @NonNull Bundle bundle) {}

  @Override
  public void onActivityDestroyed(@NonNull Activity activity) {}

  // ...
}

registerActivityLifecycleCallbacks lets you listen for all Activity events. By listening for when activities are started and destroyed, you can keep track of a reference to the current Activity, which you then will use in presenting your app open ad.

Listen for app foregrounding events

Add the libraries to your gradle file

To be notified of app foregrounding events, you need to register a DefaultLifecycleObserver. Add its dependency to your app-level build file:

Kotlin

  dependencies {
    implementation("com.google.android.libraries.ads.mobile.sdk:ads-mobile-sdk:0.17.0-alpha01")
    implementation("androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-process:2.8.3")
  }

Groovy

  dependencies {
    implementation 'com.google.android.libraries.ads.mobile.sdk:ads-mobile-sdk:0.17.0-alpha01'
    implementation 'androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-process:2.8.3'
  }

Implement the lifecycle observer interface

You can listen for foregrounding events by implementing the DefaultLifecycleObserver interface.

Implement the onStart event to show the app open ad.

Kotlin

class MyApplication :
  Application(), Application.ActivityLifecycleCallbacks, DefaultLifecycleObserver {

  private var currentActivity: Activity? = null

  override fun onCreate() {
    super<Application>.onCreate()
    registerActivityLifecycleCallbacks(this)
    ProcessLifecycleOwner.get().lifecycle.addObserver(this)
  }

  /**
  * DefaultLifecycleObserver method that shows the app open ad when the app moves to foreground.
  */
  override fun onStart(owner: LifecycleOwner) {
    currentActivity?.let { activity ->
      AppOpenAdManager.showAdIfAvailable(activity, null)
    }
  }

  // ...
}

Java

public class MyApplication extends Application
  implements Application.ActivityLifecycleCallbacks, DefaultLifecycleObserver {

  private Activity currentActivity;

  @Override
  public void onCreate() {
    super.onCreate();
    registerActivityLifecycleCallbacks(this);
    ProcessLifecycleOwner.get().getLifecycle().addObserver(this);
  }

  /**
  * DefaultLifecycleObserver method that shows the app open ad when the app moves to foreground.
  */
  @Override
  public void onStart(@NonNull LifecycleOwner owner) {
    if (currentActivity == null) {
      return;
    }

    AppOpenAdManager.getInstance().showAdIfAvailable(currentActivity, null);
  }

  // ...
}

Cold starts and loading screens

The documentation thus far assumes that you only show app open ads when users foreground your app when it is suspended in memory. "Cold starts" occur when your app is launched but was not previously suspended in memory.

An example of a cold start is when a user opens your app for the first time. With cold starts, you won't have a previously loaded app open ad that's ready to be shown right away. The delay between when you request an ad and receive an ad back can create a situation where users are able to briefly use your app before being surprised by an out of context ad. This should be avoided because it is a bad user experience.

The preferred way to use app open ads on cold starts is to use a loading screen to load your game or app assets, and to only show the ad from the loading screen. If your app has completed loading and has sent the user to the main content of your app, don't show the ad.

Key Point: To continue loading app assets while the app open ad is being displayed, always load assets in a background thread.

Best practices

App open ads help you monetize your app's loading screen, when the app first launches and during app switches, but it's important to keep best practices in mind so that your users enjoy using your app. It's best to:

• Show your first app open ad after your users have used your app a few times.
• Show app open ads during times when your users would otherwise be waiting for your app to load.
• If you have a loading screen under the app open ad, and your loading screen completes loading before the ad is dismissed, you may want to dismiss your loading screen in the onAdDismissedFullScreenContent() method.

Example

Download and run the example app that demonstrates the use of the Next Gen Google Mobile Ads SDK.