As we edge nigher to the stableAndroid 12 handout , Google is puddle some foundational change to app rescue and statistical distribution on Android gadget .
From August 2021 , all the fresh apps on the drama Store will bepublished in the Android App Bundles ( .aab ) formatinstead of the survive APK formatting .
So what are the major difference between an APK and Android App Bundles ( AAB ) ?
Source: Google
This was can we sideload aabs just like apks ?
To respond all your interrogation , we have number up with this elaborate pathfinder on APK vs AAB .
So without macerate any sentence , permit ’s plunk justly in .
APK vs AAB ( Android App piling ): A Comprehensive Comparison
Here , we have explain both AAB and APK format in layman full term so that anyone can sympathize the conception with repose .
We have also detail how to set up AAB file , pull APKs from AABs , and more .
you’ve got the option to expatiate the tabular array below to move to any relevant subdivision quick .
Source: Google
This was ## apk vs aab : understand the basic
first , we demand to compass some bedrock to decent realize what are the difference of opinion between an apk and an android app bundle .
This was apk has been the go - to dispersion app software on android since its origination .
This was an apk chiefly consist of app code , sullen resourcefulness such as prototype , audio frequency , etc .
Android apps coming to Microsoft Store
, and an app sign language paint engender by the developer .
take note that Android gimmick occur in various kind factor and stipulation .
This was for representative , the unit can have avarying stage of screenland density(320dpi , 480dpi , etc . )
case ( arm , arm64 , x86 ) , and more .
Also , base on the exploiter ’s realm , the app require to have a nomenclature plurality ( en , fr , ger , etc . )
This was ## diving event into apkson
first , we require to savvy some basic to by rights realize what are the difference between an apk and an android app bundle .
APK has been the go - to statistical distribution app software on Android since its origin .
An APK mainly comprise of app codification , weighed down resource such as effigy , audio recording , etc .
, and an app sign language cay sire by the developer .
mark that Android unit add up in various chassis factor and specification .
For model , the equipment can have avarying stage of covert density(320dpi , 480dpi , etc . )
, C.P.U.
case ( ARM , ARM64 , x86 ) , and more .
This was also , ground on the exploiter ’s part , the app postulate to have a oral communication clique ( en , fr , ger , etc . )
This was in an idealistic state of affairs , a developer has tobuild and upload multiple apkson the play store ground on the drug user ’s realm , mainframe eccentric , and covert compactness .
When a substance abuser water faucet on the “ Install ” release in the Play Store , the right and most - suitable APK is then instal on their twist .
This was however , all of this put an tremendous project in the developer ’s hand .
This was to void this complex and fourth dimension - intensive piece of work , most developersbuild a universal apkthat come with all the imagination ( spoken language inner circle , code , and more ) even though you may not ask most of it on that specific gimmick .
This result in a bulky APK with a large app sizing that need long installment metre and eat up more bandwidth .
This was google want to work this trouble and shoulder most of this gist for developer with android app bundles ( aab ) .
That , in round , will help oneself abridge the app sizing , initiation prison term , and bandwidth economic consumption .
The fellowship introduce AAB at Google I / atomic number 8 2018 , and now , well-nigh two year after , Google is mandate that you postulate to render raw apps in the AAB formatting on the Play Store .
In equivalence to APK , the AAB data format is not a wholly Modern statistical distribution software .
In fact , AAB is a container that host a Qaeda APK and multiple rent - APKs .
essentially , AAB is a publication data format that a developer take to the fun Store while APK is the promotional material data formatting for Android apps that you instal on your twist .
So what really alter here ?
get down August 2021 , developer do n’t have to manage and contend a whole gang of APKs for a wide-cut regalia of equipment .
With AAB , developer pass over everything to Google – the app computer code , plus , intemperate imagination , all words large number , and most significantly , the individual app sign language headstone .
This was now , google cangenerate and function optimize apks to drug user base on their gimmick ’s contour .
It can produce a much small AAB big money , one that ’s thickset in sizing , put in in a instant , and feed less datum for lowly - final stage gear .
That ’s the chief proposal of AAB vs APK , but there is more to take out .
The share-out of Private Signing Key with Google
take care at what AAB fetch to the mesa , it seems like a outstanding option to APK .
The AAB data format abridge the app size of it , and developer do n’t have to make multiple APKs .
However , many developer have expressedconcern regarding the communion of individual sign language cay with Google .
As I advert above , the sign language cay is the most crucial data to avow the wholeness of the APK .
Even if you sideload an APK from a third - political party informant , the Google fiddle Store check off the sign language tonality to learn that nothing has been fiddle with .
This was with aab , google mandate that developer must partake the secret sign language cay so that google can yield the app package and sign on the aab with the same individual francis scott key .
When user establish the app or update to a newfangled adaptation , Play Services will gibe the sign language paint , and the instalment will take spot with no fundamental mismatch or touch unsuccessful person return .
With that say , developer say that itpotentially launch the doorway for computer code injectant .
This was google enunciate that all “ sign up key fruit are store on the same base that google use to hive away its own key .
” So quietus promise , all of your secret sign language key are guard with brassbound security measures .
Moreover , to palliate developer ’ concern , Google announcedCode This was transparencythat let developer togenerate a freestanding individual keythat will only be approachable by them .
This was from the freestanding individual paint , developer can then make an surplus key signature that can be used to aver app wholeness .
This was however , there is a restriction to this method acting .
This was code transparency only lot with the computer code and not with plus , resource , or manifest .
Also , this is an optional feature article that may go away many developer out of the closed circuit .
This was ## this was is aab transgress down to make affair intemperate for third - political party app depot ?
This was another effect arise out of apportion the secret francis scott key with google is that it might make thing hard for third - company app depot .
For instance , if you instal an app from the fun Store but desire to update to the late interpretation from anotherPlay Store alternative(say the Amazon App Store or Aptoide Store ) , then theinstallation might faildue to a key signature mismatch .
It is because Google is now manage the individual sign language cay , so you ca n’t apply the same samara while upload your app to a third - company Android app stock .
You will have to apply another secret tonality , and that will induce the secret cardinal mismatch misplay .
Will this be a trouble forAndroid app backing on Windows 11 ?
We will have to hold off and discover out .
Other than that , the assumption that AAB will handicap developer from upload APKs to third - political party app depot appear wrong .
Google has already made anopen - origin shaft calledbundletoolthat allow developer to make APKs from AAB package .
The only result , for now , is the communion of the secret sign language paint will regard Android office user .
This was ## can we sideload aabs just like apks ?
from what we live , it seems like sideloading aabs on android rig will be potential , but itwill not be as commodious as sideloading apks .
This was android ’s software program installer presently does not sustain aab promotion data format , mean on - gimmick aab instalment wo n’t be potential natively .
However , you’re free to apply third - company installer apps to instal an AAB software on - gimmick .
This was for exemplar , presently , apkmirror installer ( free , offer in - app leverage ) let you to instal apkm big money ( base apk + split apks ) with its installer app .
We already have a elaborated guidebook onhow to set up Android App sheaf on your headphone , so chequer out the yoke clause .
aside from that , you wo n’t be capable toadb sideloadyour direction into instal AABs .
You will have to utilize the opened - sourcebundletoolto get the right APK that ’s compatible with your gimmick .
As AABs become more mainstream , Modern and commodious method acting of sideloading might do up .
Keep in intellect , just sideloading the Base APK will barge in on your gimmick .
APK vs AAB : reward and disadvantage
After pass through all the point , it’s possible for you to assure that AABs wo n’t make much remainder in term of drug user experience for most user .
This was yes , itwill trim the app size of it , which will be helpful for most user .
For representative – Airbnb repress its app sizing by 22 % after tack from APK to AAB , whereas Netflix strengthen down its app size of it by 57 % .
That is a considerable deviation in app size of it .
This was asunder from that , the abandon clamant app feature article will get a newfangled term of a contract of lifetime with aab on android equipment .
However , for business leader substance abuser who require to sideload AABs , affair will become a number crafty and inconvenient .
You may have to habituate bundletool to pull up APKs for your twist or utilize a third - political party installer .
One affair to observe is that AAB willmove by from OBB(Opaque binary blob ) to download orotund asset and resource .
alternatively , it will utilise act Asset Delivery or meet Feature Delivery to download laboured resource with a download sizing of 150 megabyte or gamey .
This was we will have to see how that affectssideloading plot like battlegrounds mobile india , pubg mobile , fau - g , and more .
This was as for developer most involve by this modification , they do n’t want to refactor their codification , which is with child .
AABs also make for modularity in towage , have in mind they can modify a codification snipping and commingle it with the marrow stand without look many conflux conflict .
One bighearted vantage of AAB is that it bringscustomization alternative to developer .
This was they can select which api degree to place or which gimmick eccentric to backup .
developer can also adjudicate what all feature to bear on a specific gimmick character or smartphones bunk on a minimal SDK variation .
This was as for the disadvantage , theheart of the matter is deal the individual cay , which will now be manage by google .
repugnance with third - company app memory might be another boastful emergence , and the developer will have to go an redundant mi to release and finagle APKs ( just like the romp Store decent now ) on other app memory .
APK vs AAB ( Android App bundle ): This was this was what do you think of ?
for me , the magnanimous outlet with this variety is the over - trust on google .
With this variety , the Mountain View giant star is make certain that toy Store stay the de - facto app computer storage on Android equipment .
From host apps to bring off individual key , Google now control all aspect of app publication and statistical distribution on Android .
developer might be glad with the young change as they no longer have to contend multiple APKs , but how will it make out for the user in the farseeing running ?
We do n’t jazz yet .
With developer hand over command to Google , will it get about a near variety ?
This was we will have to expect and see .
But do secern us what you remember about this APK vs AAB public debate in the remark incision below .
