RAM has become one of the most coveted and, at the same time, scarcest components in the tech industry. Demand for chips for artificial intelligence data centers has driven prices sky-high and triggered a crisis that directly affects mobile phone manufacturers. In this context, Google has decided to take action and has announced a series of measures to reduce memory consumption by Android applications.
The Mountain View company has confirmed that, starting in February 2027, all apps distributed through Google Play will have to comply with strict RAM usage limits. This measure, already being tested on Pixel phones , is now being extended to the entire Android ecosystem, with the goal of ensuring smooth performance even on the most modest devices. But that's not all: by April 2027, apps will also be required to automatically restore user sessions when switching devices.
Why does Google limit RAM?
The main reason is the global RAM shortage, exacerbated by the proliferation of data centers training artificial intelligence models. According to Samsung, one of the leading manufacturers, supply won't recover until 2028. This has driven up component costs and led many brands to reduce the amount of RAM in their phones to avoid drastically increasing prices. Google's measure aims to protect the user experience from applications that consume memory uncontrollably, preventing slowdowns and unexpected crashes.
Furthermore, the company has detected that many apps, especially those running AI models locally, can hog all the system's resources. These limits are intended to prevent any single application from compromising overall system stability . Games will have a bit more leeway, as they naturally require more memory, but they too will be subject to the new limits.
How will memory limits work?
The control system is based on two phases. In the first, when an app exceeds its allocated limit, Android moves it to compressed memory (zRAM), which frees up RAM but puts more strain on the processor. If the usage continues, the operating system closes the application completely . This mechanism is already active on Pixel devices and is now being extended to all devices with advanced RAM management in Android , regardless of whether they have 4 GB or 16 GB of RAM.
Google has also established three mandatory performance thresholds: dynamic memory usage, bitmap (image) usage, and DEX code optimization. Apps will need to achieve at least 25% coverage in code optimization, reduction, and obfuscation. Play Console tools will notify developers when their apps exceed these limits, and new diagnostic features will be rolled out over the next year.
Timeline and consequences for developers
The deadline for adapting is tight. Starting in February 2027, apps that don't meet the new requirements could see their visibility on Google Play reduced, be slowed down, or even be canceled. Developers have several months to optimize their apps, and Google has recommended using tools like R8 to reduce code size and free up memory.
Furthermore, the Zero-Tap Log-In standard will come into effect in April 2027, requiring apps with logins to automatically restore the session when the user switches devices. Games are currently exempt from this requirement, but all other applications will need to implement it to maintain visibility.
The RAM memory crisis and its impact on Europe
The shortage of memory chips is hitting the European industry hard. According to Goldman Sachs, the DRAM market will go from oversupply to a 5% deficit in 2026 and a 5,9% deficit in 2027. This translates into more expensive phones or phones with less RAM , especially in the entry-level range. In Spain, the arrival of Android 17 and its memory limits will depend on each manufacturer, but the feature is integrated into the system core, so it will apply to all models that receive the update.
Users of mid-range mobile phones will be the biggest beneficiaries, as a single poorly optimized app will no longer be able to cause system crashes. Memory management becomes smarter and learns from usage habits to prioritize the most important applications. Undoubtedly, this is a change in philosophy aimed at making the most of available resources.
The memory crisis won't be solved overnight, but with these tools, the Android ecosystem will be better prepared to face it. RAM limits per application, mandatory code optimization, and session restoration are measures that will arrive in 2027 and will change the way apps are developed.
