Google Play's App Size Limit Doubled to 100MB

Google has announced that it is increasing the size limit for Android apps listed on Google Play from 50MB to 100MB.

The move will allow developers to write richer apps without being as storage conscious. It will also come in handy to write more powerful codes for devices that have higher resolution graphics. Apps aimed at devices running Android 3.2 or lower will still retain the 50MB limit for apk files however.

"We understand that developers are challenged with delivering a delightful user experience that maximises the hardware of the device, while also ensuring that their users can download, install, and open the app as quickly as possible," Kobi Glick of Google Play team said in a blog post.

The company's move to bump up the size limitation, however, doesn't change the size of expansion files that a developer can attach to an app. That limitation remains unchanged at 4GB. These expansion files are hosted by Google Play, and users are informed if the app is large (if it's larger than 100MB in total, including expansion files) before downloading or purchasing it. ​Users can always check the actual size of the app when installed by viewing the Read More section from their Android device.

However, Google warned developers that despite the larger app size limit, they should still be careful with the size of the app and make it as compact as possible, Google insisted. Every megabyte a developer adds to an app makes it harder for many users to download, and requires more resources from the device to run. The company also recommends the install time be as small as possible, as the longer users wait to use the app, the higher the chance they will give up.

"Users around the world have varying mobile data connectivity speeds. Particularly in developing countries, many people are coming online with connections slower than those of users in countries like the U.S. and Japan," Glick added.

"Many mobile networks around the world give users a limited number of MB that they can download each month without incurring additional charges. Users are often wary of downloading large files for fear of exceeding their limits."