In the latest update for app developers, Google is killing Android APKs in Play Store. For new apps, developers will have to put apps in App Bundles. Google mentioned on its Android developers’ website that Android App Bundles will be mandatory starting this August.
This will mark the end of APK distribution on Android devices from august 2021 onwards. The biggest reason why many people prefer Android over iOS is the ability to install anything on the device outside of the app store. But apple termed this practice doorway to malware.
Google is killing Android APKs in Play Store
The Android App Bundle was introduced back in May 2018. And according to Google, it brings a lot of improvements over the conventional APK method. The app sizes will go down while one bundle will support different device configurations and languages.
In the latest info about Android App Bundle, the company said the latest policy will have many potential improvements with the new format. Which will include smaller app downloads for users. But the Android App Bundles are a format that only Google Play uses, which would complicate app redistribution.
This announcement also comes just days after Microsoft announced Windows 11. The latest Windows OS has the ability to let you sideload Android apps as APKs. Google’s switch to App Bundles may mean that there will be fewer apps available to run on Microsoft’s new operating system.
According to GoogleAndroid the App Bundles update only applies to new apps. Existing apps are currently exempt, as are private apps being published to managed Google Play users. And if you’re a developer planning on releasing a new app, you only have a short time to make sure you’re using the new format.
Let us know what you think about the android app bundle update and will it be able to reduce the amount of malware. Comment below and let us know.