Posted by Yacine Rezgui – Developer Relations Engineer, Steven Moreland – Employees Software program Engineer
Android is evolving to ship even sooner, extra performant experiences. One key enchancment is the adoption of a 16 KB reminiscence web page measurement. This modification permits the working system to handle reminiscence extra effectively, resulting in noticeable efficiency features (5-10%) in each apps and video games. We supplied an in-depth technical clarification and highlighted the efficiency enhancements in Including 16 KB Web page Measurement to Android.
That will help you take a look at your app on 16 KB units, this performance is out there as a developer choice on Google Pixel 8 and 9 units, and Samsung units will quickly provide comparable help, in addition to Xiaomi, vivo, and different Android OEMs.
To make sure compatibility with 16 KB units, apps that make the most of native code, both straight or by means of libraries or SDKs, would possibly require rebuilding. Nonetheless, the transition is considerably simpler than the earlier shift from 32-bit to 64-bit structure. This text will information you thru the mandatory steps to organize your apps for the upcoming units. The following technology of units is on its means, with the primary fashions supporting 16 KB web page sizes anticipated to reach in a few years.
Preparing for 16 KB: SDK builders
In the event you develop your personal SDKs and libraries, we encourage you to replace them to be 16 KB web page measurement suitable and take a look at them on 16 KB units as quickly as attainable. It will give app builders ample time to include the mandatory modifications. Registering with Play SDK Console is a good way to make sure you obtain superior notices like these sooner or later and in a well timed method.
Preparing for 16 KB: app builders with no native code
Apps written in and with dependencies totally in Kotlin or the Java programming languages will work as-is!
Preparing for 16 KB: app builders with native code
To verify in case your app has native code, you possibly can make the most of instruments like APK Analyzer in Android Studio. Nonetheless, the one means to make sure app compatibility is to check.
Rebuild your app
To make sure your app works on units with a 16 KB web page measurement, comply with these steps:
1. Improve your instruments: Begin by upgrading to Android Gradle Plugin (AGP) 8.5.1 or greater. These up to date instruments incorporate the mandatory 16 KB web page measurement configuration in your App Bundle and the APKs generated from it utilizing bundletool.
2. Align your native code: In case your app consists of native code, use NDK model r28 or greater, or rebuild it with 16 KB web page measurement alignment. You must also be certain that your native code doesn’t depend on or hardcode the worth of PAGE_SIZE.
3. Replace SDKs and libraries: Affirm that each one SDKs and libraries utilized in your app are suitable with 16 KB web page measurement. If obligatory, contact the SDK or library builders for up to date variations.
Check your app in 16 KB mode
To verify your software doesn’t assume the web page measurement to be 4 KB wherever, take a look at it with a 16 KB web page measurement emulator or digital gadget along with how you will have been testing (with a 4 KB web page measurement). This helps determine and resolve any compatibility points from the transfer to 16 KB web page sizes. It’s also possible to take a look at on bodily units with the developer choice accessible on Pixel 8, 8a, and eight Professional beginning with the Android 15 QPR1 and Pixel 9, 9 Professional, 9 Professional XL within the Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2, with extra units on the way in which.
The Future is Sooner and Extra Environment friendly
The transfer to 16 KB web page measurement advantages the Android ecosystem. It unlocks efficiency enhancements, paves the way in which for future improvements, and supplies customers with smoother and richer app experiences.
We’ll proceed to offer updates and sources that can assist you by means of this transition. Begin making ready your apps at present to make sure you’re prepared for the way forward for Android!
