Google to enforce new memory‑usage limits on Android apps

Google announced that it will begin enforcing stricter memory‑usage limits on Android applications distributed through the Play Store, a move aimed at addressing the ongoing “memory crisis” affecting the platform. In a memo obtained by TechCrunch and later referenced by The Verge, the company outlined new guidelines that require apps to stay within defined RAM thresholds, citing the need to help developers operate within industry‑wide hardware constraints and Android’s broader memory limits. The policy will be applied by the Play Store, which will monitor app performance and take action against those that exceed the prescribed limits.

The memory restrictions were first introduced with Android 17, initially rolled out on Pixel devices, and are now being extended to the wider Android ecosystem. Developers who fail to comply with the new standards face potential penalties, including removal from the Play Store. Google’s enforcement effort reflects a broader strategy to mitigate performance issues caused by increasingly memory‑intensive applications and to ensure a more consistent user experience across the diverse range of Android hardware.