Why Google Is Cracking Down on Android App Memory Usage

Google is introducing new quality requirements for Android applications on Google Play as developers grapple with an industry-wide memory chip shortage driven by the ongoing AI data center boom. The tech giant has announced two major changes, one focused on cutting apps' memory usage and another aimed at securing device migrations, with clear consequences laid out for developers who fail to comply.

In an official blog post, Raghavendra Hareesh Pottamsetty, General Manager of Google Play Developer and Monetization, said the mobile industry is navigating significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability, which over time can negatively affect the user experience.

New Memory Limits and Performance Thresholds

To address the issue, Android is rolling out broader memory limits designed to prevent individual apps from consuming excessive device memory and slowing down the entire system. Google Play will now enforce performance thresholds across three key areas, code optimisation, bitmap memory usage, and dynamic memory usage. Google AI Mode Gets Flight Price Tracking, Miles Rates and Hotel Booking: Here’s How It Works.

Under the new rules, apps published on Google Play will need at least 25 percent coverage across optimisation, shrinking, and obfuscation using tools such as R8. Google's messaging to developers has been direct, warning that apps exceeding these limits "will be slowed down and may be terminated."

New Diagnostic Tools for Developers

To help developers meet the new standards, Google has begun rolling out additional diagnostic tools within Play Console. These include deeper memory metrics in Android vitals, a dedicated filter to track "out of memory" crashes, DEX code optimisation insights for every uploaded app bundle, and proactive alerts that notify developers when their apps exceed the new thresholds. Google Layoff Fears Force Workers to Petition for Job Security.

Enforcement Timeline and Consequences

Enforcement of the new requirements will begin in February 2027. Apps and games that fail to meet the standards may face reduced visibility and limited publishing capabilities on Google Play. Google has said further details on the rollout will be shared later this year.

Google Also Introduces Zero Tap Sign-In Standard

Alongside the memory-related changes, Google is introducing a new Zero Tap Sign-In standard. This will require apps that support user sign-in to automatically restore a user's sign-in state when they switch to a new Android device, streamlining the device migration experience.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2026 10:28 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).