Google Cracks Down on Memory-Hogging Android Apps Amid an AI-Fueled RAM Shortage

Google cracks down on memory-hogging Android apps amid an AI-fueled RAM shortage

Facing a global RAM shortage tied to AI demand, Google sets new memory thresholds for Android apps starting February 2027, with penalties for non-compliance.

Google forces Android apps to use memory more wisely as RAMpocalypse rages

Google has declared that Android apps distributed through Google Play will have to meet new memory performance thresholds, starting in early 2027. Google is cracking down on poorly optimized code that might otherwise squander what's now a precious commodity, as RAM prices skyrocket and consumers choose phones with leaner specs. "An ecosystem-wide memory crisis is imminent due to rising RAM costs," the Chocolate Factory explains in its technical …

Google tells Android app developers to cool it on memory use, or else

The memory crisis just won’t quit. | Image: Alex Castro / The Verge Google will start policing memory-hungry Android apps as a direct response to the RAM crisis. Spotted by TechCrunch, the company yesterday published a memo addressing the Play Store's role in enforcing new memory-usage restrictions. The post emphasizes the importance of meeting new memory usage limits for apps, in order "to help developers navigate industry-wide hardware constr…

AI's memory crunch is coming for Android apps

Google is setting new memory-use limits for Android apps as AI data centers contribute to hardware shortages that could leave lower-cost phones with less memory.

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

TL;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 ef…

Google just made a great move to mitigate the RAM crisis on Android and it's about time

Google has warned Android app developers to slow their roll when it comes to memory consumption, as smartphone manufacturers grapple with the RAM crisis forcing the price of hardware up. In Android 17, Google introduced memory limits that prevent apps from draining resources. To build on these limits, Google is adding new performance thresholds to enable developers to keep tabs on dynamic memory usage, while ensuring their code is optimised for …