// 9TO5GOOGLE — MOBILE & WEB
Google Play mandating reduced memory usage & seamless device migration in 2027
In response to the “significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability,” Google aims to reduce the memory usage of Android apps.
On Android 17, this involves per-app memory limits that are first available on Pixel devices but will soon be adopted by an “increasing number of manufacturers.” Applications that exceed these limits “will be slowed down and may be terminated.”
Meanwhile, Google Play is establishing performance thresholds across three areas:
Memory enforcement starts in February 2027, with Google offering several Play Console tools and metrics. Apps and games that don’t meet these thresholds “will see reduced app visibility and publishing capabilities on Google Play,” with more details coming later this year.
Today’s other announcement is a “requirement for app developers to make log-ins faster and safer during device transfers.” This will be done through a Zero-Tap Sign-In standard that requires apps to “automatically restore a user’s sign-in state when they move from one Android device to another with the Android Restore Credentials API.”
This API ensures that when a user opens your app on their new Android device for the very first time, they are instantly recognized and securely signed in without additional taps.
This will be required by Google Play starting in April 2027. Games are currently exempt, with more plans coming next year.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.