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# Google will limit how much memory Android apps can use from February 2027

**[The Next Web](https://daily.dev/sources/tnw)** · 5 min read · 0 upvotes · 0 comments

## Summary

Google will enforce per-app memory limits on Android starting February 2027, citing an imminent industry-wide memory crisis driven by rising RAM costs from AI data centre demand. Limits scale by device RAM: on an 8GB phone, apps get 2.25GB foreground, 1.5GB for user-perceived services, and 1.5GB background, with separate bitmap memory caps and DEX code optimisation requirements. Apps that exceed limits can be throttled or terminated by Android, and face reduced visibility and publishing capability on the Play Store. The rules start on Pixel with Android 17 and will expand across manufacturers over the following year, hitting budget phones (4GB-16GB) hardest. A second deadline in April 2027 requires apps with sign-in to support zero-tap credential restoration via the Android Restore Credentials API.

## Full article

daily.dev links to this article rather than hosting it. Read it at the original source: <https://thenextweb.com/news/google-android-app-memory-limits-play-store>

## Questions this post answers

### What are the Android per-app memory limits Google is introducing in February 2027?

Starting February 2027, Google enforces memory thresholds scaled to device RAM on Play Store apps. On an 8GB phone, an app can use up to 2.25GB in the foreground, 1.5GB for user-perceived services, and 1.5GB in the background. Bitmap memory is capped separately at 200MB for services/background and 400MB cached, regardless of device. Devices above 16GB are largely exempt.

_Track Android platform changes like this on daily.dev before they affect your app's Play Store ranking._

### What happens if an Android app exceeds Google's new memory limits?

Android can slow the app down or terminate it, and the Play Store can reduce its visibility and publishing capabilities. Google has called reduced store visibility the sanction that matters most to developers, since lower search ranking means fewer installs and less revenue, though it has not detailed exactly how far visibility reductions will go.

_Developers watching for Play Store policy shifts follow updates like this via daily.dev._

### What is the zero-tap credential restoration requirement Google is adding for Android apps?

Beginning April 2027, every Play Store app offering sign-in must support zero-tap credential restoration when a user switches to a new device, using the Android Restore Credentials API. Google frames this as a security measure, arguing manual sign-ins during device setup expose users to phishing and credential theft rather than just adding friction.

_Mobile developers planning migrations around new Android APIs can follow the rollout on daily.dev._

## Similar posts on daily.dev

- [Preparing your app for broader memory limits](https://daily.dev/posts/preparing-your-app-for-broader-memory-limits-ablfe3ajc) · Android Developers Blog · 11 upvotes · 0 comments
- [Google forces Android apps to use memory more wisely as RAMpocalypse rages](https://daily.dev/posts/google-forces-android-apps-to-use-memory-more-wisely-as-rampocalypse-rages-slieelovu) · The Register · 1 upvotes · 1 comments
- [Elevating app quality: Reducing memory usage and improving device migration](https://daily.dev/posts/elevating-app-quality-reducing-memory-usage-and-improving-device-migration-y7shb1pqd) · Android Developers Blog · 1 upvotes · 0 comments
- [My Android App Didn’t Meet the 16KB Requirement — Here’s How I Fixed It](https://daily.dev/posts/my-android-app-didn-t-meet-the-16kb-requirement-here-s-how-i-fixed-it-hc3ycgnb6) · droidcon · 0 upvotes · 0 comments

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