Google clamps down on Android app RAM usage amid AI memory crisis — developers have until February 2027 to adapt to new memory-optimizing rules

Because of the unprecedented memory shortage, Google has introduced stricter guidelines for how Android applications manage and use device memory. These new rules ensure applications perform smoothly across a wider range of devices, especially those with lower memory capacities. Developers now have until February 2027 to optimize their applications to reduce the memory footprint.

Smartphone manufacturers are managing the limited supply and rising costs of memory and storage components in different ways. Some are reducing the memory or storage included in their smartphones, while others are passing the additional costs directly on to consumers. Before the global memory shortage, it was not uncommon to find entry-level smartphones equipped with 6GB to 8GB of memory. However, many manufacturers have dialed memory down to 4GB, which will ultimately significantly impact device performance.