Android App Bundle

AppWizard
October 16, 2024
Google has launched the Android 15 update for Pixel devices, introducing an app archiving feature that optimizes storage by allowing users to remove an app's installation and temporary files while keeping its data. This feature supports all app distribution formats, including traditional APKs, unlike the previous version limited to Android App Bundles. When an app is archived, its installation files are removed, but the app remains visible on the home screen and in device settings, with its original icon preserved in a private data directory. This enhancement aims to improve app management and encourage third-party app stores to adopt similar features.
AppWizard
September 2, 2024
Android users can now download up to three apps or app updates simultaneously from the Google Play Store, an enhancement that builds on a previous limit of two concurrent downloads. This feature was first tested in 2019 and officially rolled out in March. To use this functionality, users must navigate to the Manage apps and device section in the Play Store and select Update all. Reports indicate that this feature is accessible on multiple devices, suggesting server-side enablement. Additionally, Google is testing improvements for Play Protect and has shifted from generating large Android Application Packages (APKs) to the more efficient Android App Bundle (AAB), impacting the sideloading process.
AppWizard
August 5, 2024
Google is introducing new policies that complicate the sideloading of Android apps, requiring users to enable developer settings, which are disabled by default for security reasons. Google has stopped generating "fat APKs" for many applications, meaning only app bundles will be available for download. Users will now need tools like APKMirror Installer or Split APKs Installer (SAI) to install third-party apps, adding complexity to the sideloading process. However, developers can still provide "fat" APKs, keeping the fundamental sideloading process unchanged for users seeking alternatives.
AppWizard
August 5, 2024
Google introduced the Android App Bundle (AAB) at the I/O 2018 event, allowing developers to package apps efficiently so that only necessary components are downloaded during installation, benefiting users by freeing up storage space. However, users who sideload apps still rely on traditional Android Application Packages (APKs), which are larger. Recently, Google has stopped generating fat APKs for many applications, meaning users must now download bundles instead. This change complicates the sideloading process, requiring users to use third-party tools like the Split APKs Installer (SAI) for installation. Historically, fat APKs accommodated various devices but contained unused content, while AAB aims to minimize storage usage by downloading only essential components for specific devices.
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