14 DAY TRIAL // Google has announced the deadline for 32-bit Android apps that are present in its store, informing developers to get their apps ready for the 64-bit migration.
In late 2017, Google revealed the fact that it will deprecate 32-bit apps from its Google Play app store sometime in the near future, but did not provide a timeline for application developers to prepare their apps for the 64-bit migration. Now, the company has provided more information about the upcoming transition.
Starting with August 1st, 2019, Google will require all application developers to distribute a 64-bit version of their apps that include native code in addition to the 32-bit variant when publishing to the Google Play store. Updates for existing 32-bit apps will be allowed for games that use Unity 5.6 or older via an extension.
32-bit Android app support to end in August 2021 on 64-bit devices
As of August 1st, 2021, Google will officially end support for 32-bit Android apps on 64-bit capable devices, no longer allowing developers to publish 32-bit apps on its app store, including games built with Unity 5.6 or older. Also, Google Play will no longer offer apps that don't have a 64-bit version on 64-bit devices.
"We’re excited about the future that 64-bit CPUs bring in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and immersive mobile. Supporting 64-bit prepares the ecosystem for the innovation enabled by the advanced compute capabilities of 64-bit devices, and for future Android devices that only support 64-bit code," said Vlad Radu, Google Play Product Manager.
It's important to mention here that Google will continue to deliver Android apps with 32-bit native code via Google Play to older devices with a 32-bit processor and isn't making any changes to its policy on 32-bit support, for now. However, all 32-bit Android apps must also have a 64-bit version in the near future.
Furthermore, Google said that the 64-bit transition doesn't affect APKs or app bundles that are specifically designed for its Wear OS operating system for wearables and Android TV as they don't support 64-bit code at the moment. Also unaffected are APKs and app bundles that aren't distributed to Android 9 Pie or newer devices.
