Google to enforce Android app memory limits starting February 2027

Google Alphabet Inc. ↗ 0.84% announced on Tuesday that beginning in February 2027, all Android apps and games on the Play Store must comply with new performance thresholds covering memory usage and code optimization, or face reduced visibility and restricted publishing on the platform.

New Thresholds Target Memory-Hungry Apps

The policy, detailed on the Android Developers Blog, introduces "bad behavior thresholds" across three categories: dynamic memory usage (anonymous RSS plus swap), bitmap memory usage, and DEX code optimization. Google will evaluate apps based on the 90th percentile of data collected over 28 days.invenglobal+1

"The mobile industry is navigating significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability that over time can negatively impact the user experience," Google wrote in the blog post. "Android is addressing this challenge head-on with broader memory limits that aim to protect the overall user experience from apps using excess memory and causing system-wide slowdowns."androidpolice

For games, foreground memory limits range from 2.25GB on devices with 4GB of RAM up to 5GB on 16GB devices. Bitmap memory exceeding 200MB in foreground or background states is classified as bad behavior, with the threshold rising to 400MB in cached states. Games with DEX code exceeding 50MB must achieve at least 25 percent coverage across obfuscation, optimization, and shrinking in their App Bundles.9to5google+1

Enforcement and Developer Tools

Apps that fail to meet the thresholds will not be banned outright but may see "reduced app visibility and publishing capabilities on Google Play," according to Google. The company said further implementation details will come later in 2026.androidauthority+2

Google is rolling out new Play Console tools to help developers track memory usage, flag memory-related crashes, and analyze code compliance ahead of the deadline. The thresholds are expected to "adapt over time" as conditions evolve.howtogeek+2

Device Migration and Industry Context

Separately, Google announced that by April 2027, apps must support Zero-Tap Sign-In using the Android Restore Credentials API, automatically restoring a user's signed-in state when switching devices. Games are currently exempt from this requirement.howtogeek+1

The policy arrives as Android 17's per-app memory limits, initially available on Pixel devices, expand to more manufacturers. The broader push reflects pressure across the mobile industry as memory chip production shifts toward AI data centers, keeping RAM supply constrained and prices elevated for consumer devices. Google's own Pixel 11 Pro series reportedly ships with 12GB of RAM, down from 16GB in its predecessor.newsbytesapp+2