Google has introduced an enormous change for builders who need to record their apps on Google Play that would have an effect on the Android app ecosystem. Right now, the usual format for app publishing is the APK, however beginning in August, Google will require that new Play apps are printed as a substitute utilizing the Android App Bundle.

On a Google web page about Android App Bundle, the corporate touts many potential enhancements with the brand new format, corresponding to smaller app downloads for customers. But the format has a catch: Android App Bundles are a format that solely Google Play makes use of, which might complicate app redistribution.

The timing of Google’s announcement additionally comes simply days after Microsoft introduced Windows 11, which has the power to allow you to sideload Android apps as APKs. Google’s change to App Bundles might imply that there might be fewer apps obtainable to run on Microsoft’s new working system, although you’ll additionally have the ability to get Android apps on Windows 11 from the Amazon Appstore.

The requirement to make use of Android App Bundles solely applies to new apps, in response to Google. “Existing apps are currently exempt, as are private apps being published to managed Google Play users,” the company says. And when you’re a developer planning on releasing a brand new app, you solely have a short while to be sure to’re utilizing the brand new format.