Technology
Google sets new memory limits for Android apps amid global chip squeeze
Developers have until February 2027 to lower memory usage, which Google attributes to hardware constraints from the AI data center boom.
The short version
- Google announced new Android app quality standards to reduce memory and bitmap usage in response to global memory chip shortages.
- Developers must comply with the new dynamic memory and code optimization thresholds by February 2027.
- An additional mandate will require all Google Play Store apps with user sign-ins to support Zero Tap Sign-In during device migrations by April 2027.
Key facts
- Google is introducing new performance thresholds for Android apps' dynamic memory and bitmap usage.[TechCrunch]
- The company stated that the mobile industry faces hardware supply constraints affecting device memory availability, driven in part by the AI data center boom.[TechCrunch]
- Google is providing alert tools to notify developers when their apps exceed limits, and plan to launch a diagnostic Memory Limiter feature later this year.[TechCrunch]
- Developers have until February 2027 to optimize their code and meet the newly documented memory thresholds.[TechCrunch]
- By April 2027, Google will require Play Store apps with user sign-ins to support Zero Tap Sign-In via the Android Restore Credentials API during device transfers.[TechCrunch]