Android Market raises maximum app size to 4GB

Google has implemented a new file limit system that would be beneficial for both developers and users alike. The change comes in the form of the Android app size being increased to 4GB (2 expansion files of 2GB each) that can be attached to the APK file, which must still adhere to the 50MB limit.

For the newer devices, the expansion packs will be downloaded along with the APK itself, while on older devices, the packs will be downloaded on first run using a built in download library.

This comes as great news for the end-user. When we downloaded a popular game for our Android tablet, we had to spend additional time waiting for the game to download add-on files to make the game playable. With the new file-size policy, Google has streamlined the process of refunds. In the past, many had reported that by the time they got around to downloading the add-on files for a said game, their refund period had expired. This new policy will ensure that all files are downloaded right then and there, so that the user can still avail the refund period, if needed.

This move on Google's part also benefits the developers. They now enjoy the freedom to create high quality content without having to cut corners in order to meet the previous file size limitation. Not only that, but Google has also offered to host the expansion packs on its own servers, so as to save the app developer the cost of hosting. Google's servers will also enable faster downloads for files as against any third party servers an app developer might use.