Google Play Store is rolling out a significant change that every Android developer needs to know about. Starting November 1, 2025, all new apps and app updates targeting Android 15+ must be compatible with 16KB memory pages. This requirement has caught many developers off guard, especially those working with Flutter applications.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into what this means, why it’s happening, and most importantly, how to ensure your Flutter apps are ready.
Understanding Memory Page Sizes
Memory pages are fixed-size blocks of virtual memory that the operating system uses to manage RAM efficiently. Think of them as standardized containers for data that help the OS organize and access memory. For years, Android devices have predominantly used 4KB page sizes. This worked well for devices with limited RAM, but as smartphones evolved with more memory and processing power, larger page sizes became beneficial.
Why 16KB Pages?
The shift to 16KB pages isn’t arbitrary.
Here’s what the research shows:
- Faster App Launches: Up to 30% improvement in cold start times
- Better Memory Efficiency: Reduced memory fragmentation
- Improved System Performance: Faster boot times and overall responsiveness
- Enhanced Battery Life: More efficient memory management reduces CPU overhead
Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
1.Update Flutter SDK
# Check current version
flutter --version
# Update to latest stable
flutter upgrade
# Verify you're on the latest stable channel
flutter channel stable
flutter upgrade
Minimum recommended versions:
- Flutter SDK: 3.16.0 or later
- Dart SDK: 3.2.0 or later
2.Update Android Gradle Plugin (AGP)
In your android/build.gradle:
buildscript {
ext.kotlin_version = '1.9.10'
dependencies {
// Update to AGP 8.5.0 or later
classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:8.1.0'
classpath "org.jetbrains.kotlin:kotlin-gradle-plugin:$kotlin_version"
}
}
3.Update Android NDK
In android/app/build.gradle:
android {
compileSdkVersion 35
ndkVersion "28.x.xxxxxxx"
compileOptions {
sourceCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
targetCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
}
}
4.Dependency Audit
Check if you have the latest versions of every dependency in the pubspec.yaml file
Critical Plugins to Check
- Focus on these plugin categories:
- Camera/Media:
camera, image_picker, video_player - Database:
sqflite, hive, objectbox - Networking:
diowith native interceptors - Firebase: All Firebase plugins
- Maps:
google_maps_flutter - Payment:
stripe_android, payment gateway SDKs
