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posted by chromas on Wednesday January 16 2019, @07:42AM   Printer-friendly
from the more-bits,-more-power,-more-fun dept.

Google details upcoming 64-bit requirement for Android apps on the Play Store

In late 2017, Google began alerting Android app developers about a 64-bit support requirement for the Play Store. The policy comes into effect this August, and Google today is providing more details about the transition.

Android has supported 64-bit CPUs since 5.0 Lollipop, and the Play Store in 2017 announced that apps using native code must provide a 64-bit version in light of future chips that only support 64-bit code.

In August 2019, the Play Console will require that all new apps and updates that include native code provide 64-bit versions. Google is not removing 32-bit support with continued Play functionality in the future.


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  • (Score: 2) by Pino P on Wednesday January 16 2019, @08:33PM (1 child)

    by Pino P (4721) on Wednesday January 16 2019, @08:33PM (#787540) Journal

    From "Get your apps ready for the 64-bit requirement" [googleblog.com]:

    Test for issues locally once you’ve rebuilt your app.

    From "Ensure that your app supports 64-bit devices" [android.com]:

    In order to start testing your app, you will need to have a 64-bit-capable device. There are a variety of popular devices available that are 64-bit capable, such as Google's Pixel and other flagship devices.
    [...]

    # If your device does not support 64-bit, an emulator, for example:
    > adb install --abi arm64-v8a YOUR_APK_FILE.apk
    ABI arm64-v8a not supported on this device

    It turns out that the Cortex-A7 processor in my phone does not support 64-bit software. The phrasing "other flagship devices" seems to imply that currently, only the most expensive devices support 64-bit code. Assuming this is the case, did Google intend to exclude hobbyists and other users of budget devices from developing for Android with Google Play? If so, how does it benefit Google not to cater to hobbyist developers? If not, now that Google has left the midrange (Nexus) behind in favor of premium devices (Pixel), which Android device is recommended for 64-bit unit, integration, and acceptance testing?

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  • (Score: 2) by axsdenied on Thursday January 17 2019, @04:30AM

    by axsdenied (384) on Thursday January 17 2019, @04:30AM (#787780)

    The phrasing "other flagship devices" seems to imply that currently, only the most expensive devices support 64-bit code. Assuming this is the case, did Google intend to exclude hobbyists and other users of budget devices from developing for Android with Google Play?

    Nope, there are non-flagship 64-bit devices. For example, Motorola G6 Plus is 64-bit and costs about US$250. Or the emulator is free if you don't want to spend anything.

    And to your question which device to use for testing... probably it does not matter much, you can just use the emulator if you want.
    The main point was that some apps do not work on some phones as they do not support 64-bits.