Google to enforce new Android app memory limits in 2027

Google has announced new memory usage requirements for Android applications, set to take effect in February 2027. The policy aims to address an imminent ecosystem-wide memory crisis driven by rising RAM costs and the intense hardware demand from the AI boom.

Under the new rules, apps distributed via the Google Play Store must adhere to strict thresholds regarding dynamic memory consumption, bitmap image usage, and DEX code optimization. These limits scale based on the device's total RAM. For example, on an 8GB RAM device, a standard app may be limited to 2.25GB in the foreground and 1.5GB in the background. Games are granted higher thresholds due to their intensive nature.

Failure to comply with these standards carries significant consequences. Google stated that non-compliant apps may be slowed down, terminated, or face reduced visibility and publishing restrictions within the Google Play Store. The initiative is intended to protect the overall user experience by preventing individual applications from causing system-wide slowdowns and to help prolong the usability of lower-end hardware.