Google’s upcoming app memory limits could help budget phones run smoothly, but at what cost?

Joe Maring / Android AuthorityTL;DR Google is introducing new app memory limits for Android apps and games on the Play Store. It could help Android phones across price ranges perform better without lag and crashes. The new limits will be enforced starting February 2027. Android 17’s per-app memory limits started with Pixel phones, but last week, Google said it will expand the feature to more Android phones. Now, we’re getting more details about when the feature will take effect and the memory limits that will be enforced on Android apps and games.Google announced today that beginning in February 2027, it will enforce the new per-app memory limits and other bad-behavior thresholds. Apps that don’t meet these limits could face limited visibility on the Play Store and might even be prevented from being published entirely.The primary goal behind these new limits is to ensure a smooth experience on Android devices across price ranges. Google has set clear limits on how much memory an app or game can use on a phone, depending on the total RAM available on the device. Since games naturally require more RAM to function properly, they have more relaxed limits than apps. Developers can visit the Play Console Help page to check the memory limits that will be enforced starting next year.It’s unclear how these rules will apply to heavy apps, such as those that let users run AI models locally as well as demanding games. The slightly relaxed RAM limits could help, but we can’t be certain whether it will be enough for such apps.Robert Triggs / Android AuthorityTo further ensure that apps and games load quickly and use less memory, Google is also introducing new “minimum optimization requirements.” It has also asked developers to ensure their apps automatically sign in users when they move from their previous Android device to a new one.Additionally, the company is introducing new tools to help developers ensure their apps comply with the upcoming memory limits. Developers will be able to check their app’s memory usage and track down problem areas to resolve before the deadline. The company is also adding tools to help developers track crashes and analyze their code to ensure it complies with the new optimization rules. These tools are already rolling out in the Play Console for developers.Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.