Google is Optimizing Android for the Component Crisis

Google revealed today that it is introducing new memory and performance thresholds in Android to help mitigate the negative impact of the component crisis. That is, it will prevent apps from using excess memory and cause system-wide slowdowns.

“To help developers navigate industry-wide hardware constraints and Android’s broader memory limits, Google Play is establishing new performance thresholds,” Google Play general manager Raghavendra Hareesh Pottamsetty writes. “We are [also] introducing a new onboarding standard to simplify and secure login during device upgrades.”

Android 17 already includes per-app memory limits, starting with Pixel, that help prevent excess memory usage. But with hardware makers forced to use less RAM in many of their devices, Google is also establishing performance thresholds across dynamic memory usage, bitmap usage, and code optimization to prevent unexpected on-device performance throttling and app terminations.

Starting in February 2027, apps and games distributed through the Play Store will be required to meet specific bad behavior thresholds for memory usage, bitmap usage, and DEX (Dalvik Executable) code optimization. Apps and games that don’t meet these thresholds will get reduced app visibility and distribution. And it’s likely that the thresholds will keep changing over time.

Tied to this, Google is also requiring Android app developers to support the Zero-tap sign-in standard in any apps that provide sign-in capabilities so that users can restore their sign-in state when they move to a new device. This goes into effect in April 2027 for apps, while the requirement will happen with games later in 2027.