Android 16, the forthcoming major operating system update for Android devices, is set to launch in June. This update is expected to introduce a feature designed to expedite the app installation process, known as Cloud Compilation. Aimed primarily at low-end devices, this feature will offload the app compilation tasks to the cloud, thereby eliminating the need to utilize the dex2oat tool and streamlining the installation experience. This enhancement is particularly advantageous for applications with extensive code, which often place a heavy burden on the device’s chipset.
Overview of Cloud Compilation in Android 16
Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority provided insights into this innovative feature in a recent report. Typically, Android utilizes the Android Runtime (ART) to execute app code, starting with the dex2oat tool that converts the .dex files, which contain the application’s bytecode, into artifacts. These artifacts include files or directories created by the Android Gradle plugin during the app’s build process.
The advantages of these artifacts are significant: they facilitate quicker bytecode verification, may include pre-compiled code for various methods, and provide internal representations of certain strings or classes, all of which contribute to improved application startup times.
Flagship devices are capable of generating these artifacts rapidly due to their advanced processors; however, many low-end devices face challenges due to less powerful chipsets and limited memory bandwidth. This is where the Cloud Compilation feature in Android 16 becomes crucial.
The report indicates that rather than generating application artifacts using the device’s processor, the feature will import a Secure Dex Metadata (SDM) file with pre-compiled artifact versions directly from the Google Play Store. These files are signed with the same key as their corresponding APKs. This method effectively circumvents the need to run the dex2oat tool, significantly reducing the reliance on the device’s chipset and accelerating app installation.
It is important to note that this feature has not yet been activated. According to the report, Google will need to make adjustments to the Play Store to enable it to generate application artifacts utilizing dex2oat at the time of APK installation for devices operating on Android 16.
