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 dimension. This variation allows the working system to handle reminiscence extra effectively, resulting in noticeable efficiency positive factors (5-10%) in each apps and video games. We offered an in-depth technical clarification and highlighted the efficiency enhancements in Including 16 KB Web page Measurement to Android.
That will help you check your app on 16 KB gadgets, this performance is on the market as a developer possibility on Google Pixel 8 and 9 gadgets, and Samsung gadgets will quickly provide related assist, in addition to Xiaomi, vivo, and different Android OEMs.
To make sure compatibility with 16 KB gadgets, apps that make the most of native code, both instantly or by way of libraries or SDKs, would possibly require rebuilding. Nevertheless, 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 gadgets. The subsequent era of gadgets is on its manner, with the primary fashions supporting 16 KB web page sizes anticipated to reach in a few years.
Preparing for 16 KB: SDK builders
For those who develop your personal SDKs and libraries, we encourage you to replace them to be 16 KB web page dimension appropriate and check them on 16 KB gadgets as quickly as potential. It will give app builders ample time to include the mandatory adjustments. 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 completely in Kotlin or the Java programming languages will work as-is!
Preparing for 16 KB: app builders with native code
To examine in case your app has native code, you possibly can make the most of instruments like APK Analyzer in Android Studio. Nevertheless, the one manner to make sure app compatibility is to check.
Rebuild your app
To make sure your app works on gadgets with a 16 KB web page dimension, observe these steps:
1. Improve your instruments: Begin by upgrading to Android Gradle Plugin (AGP) 8.5.1 or increased. These up to date instruments incorporate the mandatory 16 KB web page dimension configuration to your App Bundle and the APKs generated from it utilizing bundletool.
2. Align your native code: In case your app contains native code, use NDK model r28 or increased, or rebuild it with 16 KB web page dimension alignment. You also needs to be certain that your native code doesn’t depend on or hardcode the worth of PAGE_SIZE.
3. Replace SDKs and libraries: Affirm that every one SDKs and libraries utilized in your app are appropriate with 16 KB web page dimension. If mandatory, contact the SDK or library builders for up to date variations.
Take a look at your app in 16 KB mode
To ensure your utility doesn’t assume the web page dimension to be 4 KB wherever, check it with a 16 KB web page dimension emulator or digital system along with how you could have been testing (with a 4 KB web page dimension). This helps establish and resolve any compatibility points from the transfer to 16 KB web page sizes. You can too check on bodily gadgets with the developer possibility out there 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 gadgets on the best way.
The Future is Sooner and Extra Environment friendly
The transfer to 16 KB web page dimension advantages the Android ecosystem. It unlocks efficiency enhancements, paves the best way for future improvements, and gives customers with smoother and richer app experiences.
We’ll proceed to supply updates and sources that can assist you by way of this transition. Begin getting ready your apps in the present day to make sure you’re prepared for the way forward for Android!
