AI's Memory Crunch Hits Android Apps: Google Sets New Limits

Google is tightening its requirements for Android apps as developers grapple with an industry-wide memory chip shortage exacerbated by the AI data center boom. This week, the tech giant announced two new app quality mandates, including one focused on reducing memory usage and optimizing code. The company explained that the mobile industry now faces "significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability," which can impact the consumer experience with their devices. To address this, Google is setting new performance thresholds across several areas, such as dynamic memory usage and bitmap usage. Additionally, Google is introducing code optimization requirements designed to prevent performance-related issues like app slowdowns and crashes. To assist developers, Google is rolling out new tools that will alert them when their apps exceed these thresholds, enabling them to optimize their code proactively. More diagnostic tools are slated for release later this year, including deeper insights from a Memory Limiter feature that prevents apps from consuming excessive device memory. These changes aim to help Android app and game makers deliver a quality experience, even in a market where memory may be scarce, particularly for low-end devices where cost is a major concern. Developers have until February 2027 to meet the new thresholds, as documented on Google's Android Developer site. In a related move, Google will require all Play Store apps to comply with the Zero Tap Sign-In requirement during device migrations by April 2027. This standard mandates that apps with user sign-ins, whether optional or mandatory, automatically restore the user's sign-in state when migrating between Android devices using the Android Restore Credentials API. This streamlines the user experience and reduces friction during device transitions.

via TechCrunch AI