Google Forces Android Apps to Use Memory More Wisely as RAMpocalypse Rages
Google said the changes will help developers keep apps stable as memory chip shortages limit device memory, with new thresholds and tools rolling out.
- Google announced new memory performance thresholds for Android apps distributed through the Play Store, starting in early 2027, to combat device instability caused by memory-hungry applications.
- The mobile industry faces significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability, prompting the company to enforce strict limits protecting user experience.
- Starting in February 2027, developers must adhere to bitmap memory usage capped at 200 MB in background services and 400 MB cached, while implementing DEX code optimization for rapid app launches.
- By April 2027, apps must support Zero-tap Sign-In via the Android Restore Credentials API to automatically restore user sign-in states during device migrations, reducing onboarding friction.
- Apps exceeding new thresholds face reduced visibility on the Play Store, though Google is rolling out tools to help developers optimize code and prevent "one bad actor" from destroying device stability.
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Google is preparing a real revolution in how apps manage smartphone resources. With the price rise of RAM and the need to keep equipment accessible in the market, the giant...
Google forces Android apps to use memory more wisely as RAMpocalypse rages
Google has declared that Android apps distributed through Google Play will have to meet new memory performance thresholds, starting in early 2027. Google is cracking down on poorly optimized code that might otherwise squander what's now a precious commodity, as RAM prices skyrocket and consumers choose phones with leaner specs. "An ecosystem-wide memory crisis is imminent due to rising RAM costs," the Chocolate Factory explains in its technical …
Google tells Android app developers to cool it on memory use, or else
The memory crisis just won’t quit. | Image: Alex Castro / The Verge Google will start policing memory-hungry Android apps as a direct response to the RAM crisis. Spotted by TechCrunch, the company yesterday published a memo addressing the Play Store's role in enforcing new memory-usage restrictions. The post emphasizes the importance of meeting new memory usage limits for apps, in order "to help developers navigate industry-wide hardware constr…
Google's upcoming app memory limits could help budget phones run smoothly, but at what cost?
TL;DR Google is introducing new app memory limits for Android apps and games on the Play Store. It could help Android phones across price ranges perform better without lag and crashes. The new limits will be enforced starting February 2027. Android 17’s per-app memory limits started with Pixel phones, but last week, Google said it will expand the feature to more Android phones. Now, we’re getting more details about when the feature will take ef…
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