AndroidAndroid apps final size expanded from 50MB to 4GB

Android apps final size expanded from 50MB to 4GB

Android apps size limit

Android app developers might experience a little more freedom while creating software options for the mobile platform, as the final size limit for applications can now be as much as 4GB. While the restrictions for the original APK remain 50MB, contributors will now be allowed to attach expansion files.

This step should help in the development of more apps with 3D or HD content and games as well. The original APK size has been restricted to ensure secure on-device storage. However, users can attach up to two more expansion files in any format, each of about 2GB. Also, the Android Market is offering to host these so that creators would not have to bear the cost and trouble of file serving.

“Because many developers may not be used to working with one or two large files for all of their secondary content, the example code also includes support for using a Zip file as the secondary file. The Zip example implements a reasonable patching strategy that allows for the main expansion file to ‘patch’ the APK and the patch file to ‘patch’ both the APK and the main expansion file by searching for asset files in all three places, in the order patch->main->APK,” said a recent post on the official Android Developers blog.

Before downloading, users will be able to view the total size of a specific file. On several new devices, the refund period will not start unless the attachments are downloaded automatically. For older gadgets, expansion files are scheduled to be installed by means of a downloader library when the app runs for the first time.

More information for Android application developers about what the app size limit can be, has been made available through the APK Expansion Files developer guide.

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