What Google’s New Android 15 Requirements Mean for Your App

Google has announced a major change that every app team should pay attention to: starting May 1, 2026, all apps targeting Android 15 or higher must support 16KB memory page sizes. At first glance, this sounds like a small technical shift. In reality, it has big implications for the stability of your app, your ability to publish updates, and your long-term roadmap.

Why the 16KB Page Size Requirement Matters

Memory page size refers to the way an operating system divides and manages memory. For years, Android devices have relied on 4KB pages. Newer ARM-based processors are moving toward 16KB pages to improve efficiency and performance, and Google wants to make sure apps are compatible before this hardware becomes the norm.

If your app isn’t prepared for the change, you face two immediate risks:

• Blocked updates on Google Play. After May 2026, non-compliant apps won’t be able to push new releases.
• Instability on modern devices. Without proper support, apps may crash, fail to install, or behave unpredictably.

For any business that relies on consistent updates, smooth performance, and positive reviews, those risks are too great to ignore.

How to Know if Your App Is Affected

Not every app will hit issues right away, but most development teams should run checks well before the deadline. Common red flags include:

• Older build systems or compilers that don’t support 16KB.
• Third-party SDKs or libraries that haven’t been updated in years.
• Native code that was written for 4KB assumptions.

The easiest way to test is to run your app on Android 15 devices or emulators configured for 16KB pages. If your app doesn’t build, install, or run properly, you’ve got work to do.

Preparing for Android 15 Compliance

Teams that prepare early will avoid disruption and keep their release schedules on track. A smart compliance plan should include:

• Auditing your codebase to identify outdated or incompatible dependencies.
• Upgrading compilers, NDKs, and SDKs to versions confirmed to support 16KB.
• Running regression testing on Android 15 betas and physical devices.
• Documenting your environment so future updates don’t reintroduce risks.

The earlier you start, the smoother the transition. Waiting until 2026 could mean fighting with outdated tools and rushed fixes under pressure.

How Xperts Can Help

At Xperts, we’ve seen how sudden platform changes derail even the best-planned projects. Our team specializes in rescuing and maintaining apps when technical debt or overlooked requirements put roadmaps at risk. For Android 15 compliance, that means:

• Performing detailed audits of your app’s code and dependencies.
• Building a migration plan tailored to your environment.
• Testing in conditions that simulate Android 15 hardware.
• Supporting your team so future updates are seamless.

Instead of reacting to a last-minute crisis, you’ll have the confidence that your app is stable, compliant, and ready for the next phase of Android’s evolution.

The Bottom Line

The 16KB memory page size requirement isn’t just a technical detail — it’s a hard deadline that will decide whether your app continues to update on Google Play after May 1, 2026. By auditing now, upgrading your toolchains, and testing thoroughly, you can protect your roadmap and your users’ experience.

For teams that want a partner through the process, Xperts is here to ensure your app isn’t just compliant but also future-proof.