Transition to utilizing 16 KB web page sizes for Android apps and video games utilizing Android Studio

0
1
Transition to utilizing 16 KB web page sizes for Android apps and video games utilizing Android Studio



Transition to utilizing 16 KB web page sizes for Android apps and video games utilizing Android Studio

Posted by Mayank Jain – Product Supervisor and Jomo Fisher – Software program Engineer

Get able to improve your app’s efficiency as Android embraces 16 KB reminiscence web page sizes

Android’s transition to 16 KB Web page measurement

Historically, Android has operated with the 4 KB reminiscence web page measurement. Nonetheless many ARM CPUs (the most typical processors for Android telephones) assist the bigger 16 KB web page measurement, providing improved efficiency features. With Android 15, the Android working system is page-size-agnostic, permitting gadgets to run effectively with both 4 KB or 16 KB web page measurement.

Beginning November 1st, 2025, all new apps and app updates that use native C/C++ code focusing on Android 15+ gadgets submitted to Google Play should assist 16 KB web page sizes. This can be a essential step in the direction of making certain your app delivers the absolute best efficiency on the newest Android {hardware}. Apps with out native C/C++ code or dependencies, that simply use the Kotlin and Java programming languages, are already appropriate, however should you’re utilizing native code, now could be the time to behave.

This transition to bigger 16 KB web page sizes interprets straight into a greater person expertise. Gadgets configured with 16 KB web page measurement can see an general efficiency increase of 5-10%. This implies sooner app launch instances (as much as 30% for some apps, 3.16% on common), improved battery utilization (4.56% discount in energy draw), faster digital camera begins (4.48-6.60% sooner), and even speedier system boot-ups (round 0.8 seconds sooner). Whereas there’s a marginal improve in reminiscence use, a sooner reclaim path is value it.

The native code problem – and the way Android Studio equips you

In case your app makes use of native C/C++ code from the Android NDK or depends on SDKs that do, you will must recompile and doubtlessly alter your code for 16 KB compatibility. The excellent news? As soon as your software is up to date for the 16 KB web page measurement, the similar software binary can run seamlessly on each 4 KB and 16 KB gadgets.

This desk describes who must transition and recompile their apps

A table describes who needs to transition or recomplie their apps based on native codebase and device size

We’ve created a number of Android Studio instruments and guides that may enable you to put together for migrating to utilizing 16 KB web page measurement.

Detect compatibility points

APK Analyzer: Simply establish in case your app comprises native libraries by checking for .so recordsdata within the lib folder. The APK Analyzer also can visually point out your app’s 16 KB compatibility. You possibly can then decide and replace libraries as wanted for 16 KB compliance.

Screenshot of the APK Analyzer in Android Studio

Alignment Checks: Android Studio additionally offers warnings in case your prebuilt libraries or APKs should not 16 KB compliant. You need to then use the APK Analyzer instrument to overview which libraries have to be up to date or if any code modifications are required. If you wish to detect the 16 KB web page measurement compatibility checks in your CI (steady integration) pipeline, you possibly can leverage scripts and command line instruments.

Screenshot of Android 16 KB Alignment check in Android Studio

Lint in Android Studio now additionally highlights the native libraries which aren’t 16 KB aligned.

Screenshot of Lint performing a 16 KB alignment check in Android Studio

Construct with 16 KB alignment

Instruments Updates: Rebuild your native code with 16 KB alignment. Android Gradle Plugin (AGP) model 8.5.1 or larger routinely permits 16 KB alignment by default (throughout packaging) for uncompressed shared libraries. Equally, Android NDK r28 and better compile 16 KB-aligned by default. In the event you depend upon different native SDK’s, in addition they have to be 16 KB aligned. You would possibly want to succeed in out to the SDK developer to request a 16 KB compliant SDK.

Repair code for page-size agnosticism

Eradicate Hardcoded Assumptions: Establish and take away any hardcoded dependencies on PAGE_SIZE or assumptions that the web page measurement is 4 KB (e.g., 4096). As an alternative, use getpagesize() or sysconf(_SC_PAGESIZE) to question the precise web page measurement at runtime.

Take a look at in a 16 KB atmosphere

Android Emulator Assist: Android Studio gives a 16 KB emulator goal (for each arm64 and x86_64) straight within the Android Studio SDK Supervisor, permitting you to check your purposes earlier than importing to Google Play.

Screenshot of the 16 KB emulator in Android Studio

On-Machine Testing: For appropriate gadgets like Pixel 8 and eight Professional onwards (beginning with Android 15 QPR1), a brand new developer possibility means that you can swap between 4 KB and 16 KB web page sizes for real-device testing. You possibly can confirm the web page measurement utilizing adb shell getconf PAGE_SIZE.

Screenshot of the 16 KB emulator in Android Studio

Do not wait – put together your apps immediately

Leverage Android Studio’s highly effective instruments to detect points, construct appropriate binaries, repair your code, and totally check your app for the brand new 16 KB reminiscence web page sizes. By doing so, you will guarantee an improved finish person expertise and contribute to a extra performant Android ecosystem.

As all the time, your suggestions is essential to us – examine recognized points, report bugs, counsel enhancements, and be a part of our vibrant neighborhood on LinkedIn, Medium, YouTube, or X.



LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here