How can Android App Bundles help you?
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using Android App Bundles:
- Keeps app sizes smaller
Android App Bundles can help deliver smaller APK sizes to users. Developers who use them have APK sizes that are 35% smaller on average than those who release a universal APK. - Serves users with the code and resources for their device
- Reduces development complexity by removing the need to build and publish multiple APKs
What is an Android App Bundle?
With an Android App Bundle, you manage a single artifact that includes all of your app's compiled code, resources, and native libraries.
An Android App Bundle is a file (.AAB) that you upload to Google Play. Each bundle includes the compiled code and resources for all of the app’s modules and supported device configurations.
How does it work?
Google Play's new app serving model is called Dynamic Delivery.
Because users only download the code and resources they need to run your app, they see a smaller install size, faster installs, and saved device space.
Android App Bundle is open-source and backwards compatible.
- Android 5.0 and higher: Google Play generates a base APK, configuration APKs, and dynamic feature APKs (if applicable).
- Below Android 5.0: Google Play generates multi-APKs server side.
How do I get started?
Generating an Android App Bundle using Android Studio is very similar to generating an APK, and it can also be done in Unity’s 2018.3 beta release and later.
- Download Android Studio 3.2+ or Unity 2018.3 / 2017.4.17+
- Most projects require little change to support optimized APKs using Dynamic Delivery
- In Android Studio, go to Build > Build Bundle(s) / APK(s) > Bundle(s)
- If not using an IDE, build from the command line
Testing your App Bundle
After building your bundle, test how Google Play generates APKs and how they behave on devices.
- Use bundletool (open-source) to generate APKs and deploy them to a connected device
- Bundletool can also generate a universal APK for local testing or distribution
- Test further on Play Console’s test tracks after enrolling in app signing by Google Play
Remember: The App Bundle itself cannot be installed directly. Google Play processes the bundle, generates split APKs, and signs them before delivery.
Publishing your App Bundle
Upload your app bundle to the Play Console. You can:
- Use internal test tracks or internal app sharing to quickly share builds
- Upload app bundles up to 150MB installed size
- Publish bundles just like APKs using the same release flow
- Use the Bundle Explorer to analyze APK sizes per device
After uploading your signed app bundle, Google Play builds and signs your APKs, then serves them to users through Dynamic Delivery.
Monitoring App Size
After publishing, monitor size changes in Android vitals > App size.
View charts by version code, see component size breakdowns, and get optimization tips to reduce your app size further.
About Android App Bundles
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