Posted by Yacine Rezgui – Developer Relations Engineer, Steven Moreland – Workers 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 modification permits the working system to handle reminiscence extra effectively, resulting in noticeable efficiency features (5-10%) in each apps and video games. We offered an in-depth technical rationalization and highlighted the efficiency enhancements in Including 16 KB Web page Dimension to Android.
That will help you check your app on 16 KB units, this performance is obtainable as a developer possibility on Google Pixel 8 and 9 units, and Samsung units will quickly provide comparable assist, 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 instantly or by 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 required steps to arrange your apps for the upcoming units. The following technology of units 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
If you happen to develop your individual SDKs and libraries, we encourage you to replace them to be 16 KB web page dimension suitable and check them on 16 KB units as quickly as attainable. It will give app builders ample time to include the required adjustments. Registering with Play SDK Console is an effective 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 units 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 larger. These up to date instruments incorporate the required 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 larger, or rebuild it with 16 KB web page dimension alignment. You also needs to be sure that your native code doesn’t depend on or hardcode the worth of PAGE_SIZE.
3. Replace SDKs and libraries: Verify that each one SDKs and libraries utilized in your app are suitable with 16 KB web page dimension. If needed, contact the SDK or library builders for up to date variations.
Check 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 machine along with how you’ve gotten 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 too can check on bodily units 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 units on the way in which.
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 way in which for future improvements, and supplies customers with smoother and richer app experiences.
We’ll proceed to offer updates and sources that will help you by this transition. Begin getting ready your apps right now to make sure you’re prepared for the way forward for Android!