Android TV and Google TV Apps will switch from APK packages to Android application packages starting in 2023

Google has announced via its official blog that it will be migrating from the old Android Package Kit (APK) format to the newer Android App Bundle (AAB) for Android TV and Google TV apps. Developers of both platforms have been informed of the change and Google said the transition will happen in May 2023. While many app developers may have already made the switch, the need to switch to the aab format. televisions.

This gives developers of these third-party apps ample time to switch from the .apk file format to the newer .aab file format which has its own set of advantages, for both developers and users. Google is pushing third-party smartphone app developers to move to the same and Put his foot down Requirement that all new app submissions to the Play Store be submitted in .aab format only in August 2021.

Google is on its site blog post It explains how switching to .aab from .apk will help reduce package size by about 20 percent and also opens the door to “archiving” where users do not need to uninstall the entire application, but can temporarily remove parts of an application.

This allows users to keep their application data while editing or restoring data about 60 percent of storage space, according to Google.

The newer format of apps is more important on smart TVs since they often have limited internal storage space, forcing users to uninstall unused apps to install new ones. AABs also apply to a lot of other devices and platforms like phones, tablets, smartwatches, and cars. For developers, the .aab file format also makes it easier to offer a package that’s optimized for each device configuration rather than a one-size-fits-all approach that takes up unnecessary storage space.

As an Android TV or Google TV powered device user, you don’t have to worry about the upcoming transition. Developers who plan to build new apps or update existing apps for platforms from May 2023 onwards will need to use the new format for submissions. Google gave developers 6 months to move to the .aab file format. The search giant believes that it is possible for a single engineer to convert an Android TV app from Android Package Kit (APK) to Android App Bundle (AAB) within three days, which now seems like developers have enough time to make the switch.