Google recently introduced a significant change to the way Android applications are delivered, aiming to enhance efficiency for users and developers alike. Back at the I/O 2018 event, the company unveiled the Android App Bundle (AAB), a method enabling developers to package their applications in bundles. This approach allows the Google Play Store to download only the necessary components needed for a specific device, resulting in potential storage space savings. However, this optimization applies only to apps downloaded through the Play Store, while the sideloading process still relies on installing larger Android Application Packages (APKs). A recent claim on social media indicates that sideloading has now become a bit more cumbersome due to updates made by Google.
As mentioned in a recent update on X (previously known as Twitter) by Artem Russakovskii, the creator of the APK hosting site APKMirror, Google has stopped producing large APKs for many applications. As a consequence, users who prefer to install APK files must now download bundles. Unlike fat APKs, which can be installed by simply downloading a substantial APK file from official websites or third-party sources, bundles require an additional step. To install these bundles, users need to utilize third-party tools like Split APKs Installer (SAI). The claim suggests that many apps will now be available solely in a bundle format, necessitating the download of these tools prior to installation on devices.
Previously, fat APKs were designed with compatibility across various devices, taking into account factors like screen size and CPU architecture. This allowed developers to create one comprehensive package instead of multiple ones for different device specifications. Although bundling everything into a single fat APK simplified the downloading process, it also caused unused content to take up significant storage space on the device. This unused content could otherwise be allocated for other purposes.
Google's AAB aims to address this issue. Instead of packing all device requirements into one large fat APK, the Google Play Store selectively downloads just the portions necessary for the specific device in question. This results in a more efficient use of storage space, reducing the amount occupied by the application. By tailoring downloads to the needs of individual devices, Google is able to provide a more streamlined and space-saving solution for app installations.