Google sets new Android memory limits amid AI chip shortage
UKPulse News Desk
Google has announced new Android app quality requirements to reduce memory usage as AI data centers contribute to hardware shortages. Developers have until February 2027 to meet the new thresholds.
- Google announced two new app quality requirements, including one focused on reducing memory usage.
- The mobile industry faces significant hardware supply constraints affecting device memory availability.
- Developers must meet the new thresholds by February 2027.
Google is introducing new app quality requirements for Android as the industry faces memory chip shortages driven by the AI data center boom. The company said the mobile industry is now experiencing “significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability,” which could affect the consumer experience.
The new requirements set performance thresholds for dynamic memory usage and bitmap usage, along with code optimisation rules to prevent slowdowns and crashes. Google is also rolling out tools to alert developers when their apps exceed the thresholds, with more diagnostic tools, including a Memory Limiter feature, expected later this year.
Developers have until February 2027 to comply with the new standards. Additionally, by April 2027, all Play Store apps must meet the Zero Tap Sign-In requirement, which automatically restores a user's sign-in state during device migrations.
Why this matters: The changes reflect how AI-driven hardware shortages are affecting the Android ecosystem, potentially impacting app performance and device memory availability.
What this means for you: Android users may experience fewer app slowdowns and crashes as developers optimise memory usage, but lower-cost phones could see reduced memory availability due to supply constraints.