AI’s memory crunch is coming for Android apps

Google announced two new Android app quality requirements this week, including performance thresholds to reduce memory usage and code optimization, in response to industry-wide memory chip shortages driven by the AI data center boom. Developers have until February 2027 to meet the new memory thresholds, and until April 2027 to comply with the Zero Tap Sign-In requirement for device migrations. The changes aim to maintain app quality as memory availability becomes constrained, particularly for low-end devices.

Google is making changes to its requirements for Android apps as developers face industry-wide memory chip shortages driven by the AI data center boom. This week, the tech giant announced https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/08/app-quality-memory-optimization-secure-onboarding.html two new app quality requirements, one of which is focused on reducing apps’ memory usage https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/17492799 and optimizing its code. The company explains that the mobile industry is now facing “significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability,” which can then, in turn, affect the consumer’s experience with their devices. To address this, Google is now establishing new performance thresholds across several areas, like dynamic memory usage and bitmap usage. In addition, Google is adding code optimization requirements designed to prevent things like app slowdowns and crashes related to performance. To aid developers, the company is rolling out new tools that will alert them when their apps exceed the new thresholds so they can take action by optimizing their code. More diagnostic tools will arrive later in the year, Google noted, including deeper insights provided by a Memory Limiter http://source.android.com/docs/core/perf/memory-limiter feature that prevents apps from using too much device memory. The changes are meant to help Android app and game makers continue to deliver a quality experience, Google says, while reflecting a market where memory may not be as widely available, particularly for low-end devices where price points are a concern. Developers have until February 2027 to meet the new thresholds, documented on Google’s Android Developer site. In addition, the company will require all Play Store apps to meet the Zero Tap Sign-In requirement https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/17492799 zero-tap sign-in restoration during device migrations https://www.google.com/url?q=https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/17492799%23zero-tap sign-in restoration&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1787760828230777&usg=AOvVaw2RofG0vsjo-qAwg1WNCEY7 by April 2027. This standard requires that apps with user sign-ins, whether optional or mandatory, automatically restore the user’s sign-in state when they move between Android devices using the Android Restore Credentials API https://developer.android.com/identity/sign-in/restore-credentials .