Google will stop serving apps without 64-bit versions on 64-bit capable devices starting August 2021

Apple has gradually phased out support for 32-bit applications in iOS 11 and now most new devices cannot install 32-bit applications from the App Store.

Google is also pushing the same strategy from 32-bit to 64-bit, but the Android platform is more complicated, so Google’s progress is quite slow.

Google has announced the latest 64-bit version of the Android application transition policy, and developers are encouraged to migrate as early as possible to improve the overall performance of the application.

Image: googleblog

Here are the timelines in the Google plan:

Beginning August 1, 2019: In addition to the 32-bit apps released to the Google Store, all new apps and new versions containing native code will require a 64-bit version.

Extended support: Google Store will continue to accept 32-bit games developed with Unity 5.6 or earlier, with a deadline of August 2021.

From August 1st, 2021: 32-bit applications will no longer be available for 64-bit Android devices, and users will not be able to find 32-bit apps when they visit the store.

Extended Note: The above policy also applies to 32-bit games developed with Unity 5.6 or earlier, which will not be available if you do not provide a 64-bit version.

The requirement does not apply to:

• APKs or app bundles explicitly targeting Wear OS or Android TV, which are form factors that do not currently support 64-bit code.
• APKs or app bundles that are not distributed to devices running Android 9 Pie or later.