Google announced a new quality requirement for applications on the Android platform to address memory consumption issues in response to a shortage of RAM in the smartphone market. The requirements are set to take effect in February 2027. Apps exceeding specified performance metrics may face restrictions on publication in the Google Play catalog and reduced ranking.
The key metrics that will be closely monitored to identify memory consumption concerns include:
- Dynamic memory consumption when the application is active and running in the background.
- Memory usage for image bitmaps, which should not occupy memory when the application is not in view or running in the background.
- Optimization of executable code in DEX format. Applications are advised to utilize tools like R8 to optimize DEX code and reduce memory load.
The thresholds for memory consumption are determined based on the amount of RAM available on the device. For instance, on devices with 4 GB of RAM, an application can consume up to 2 GB of memory in the active state and 1 GB in the background. The limits increase with higher RAM capacity.
Starting April 2027, all non-gaming applications supporting account sign-in must automatically restore their state when transferred to a new device using the Android Restore Credentials API.
Furthermore, Google is introducing 17 new features in the Android branch to enhance network connection security.