Google is changing the file format for apps in the Play Store. Developers need to know that now.
Anyone who previously used apps on Google’s Play -Store wanted to bring it to the people, it had to be made available in APK format. That will change from August 2021.
Google requires AAB format for apps
Google announced it back in 2018, now it’s getting serious: APK will soon be history. From August 2021, new apps must be downloaded to the Play Store as AAB – Android App Bundle. Compared to the previous APK, the new format should take up an average of 15 percent less storage space. Developers should also have more control over the distribution of updates.
However, as Google emphasizes, the change initially only affects apps that are reloaded into the Play Store. Nothing will change for apps already represented there – this also applies if they receive updates. Private apps that are only intended for a certain group of people are also excluded from the change.
Google has summarized what will change for developers in August in a table. (Screenshot: Google / t3n)
According to Google, over a million apps are already using the AAB format; including the majority of the top 1,000 apps and games in the Play Store such as Twitter, Duolingo or Netflix.
Microsoft is likely to be annoyed by Google’s announcement
Microsoft announced this just a few days before Google’s announcement that sideloading Google APK would be possible on Windows 11. Google is not making a complete spanner in the works – but the number of apps that run on Windows 11 should be reduced. Windows 11 users are not affected, but also have the option of downloading apps from Amazon’s app store, which is fully supported.
