Google doubles Android storage requirement again, now set at 32GB

[zohaibahd]

In brief: Starting with Android 15, Google is enforcing a new minimum storage requirement that should help improve the experience on low-cost Android hardware. New Android 15 devices must have at least 32GB of onboard storage – a major jump over the previous 16GB requirement.

The doubling represents a steady rise in the minimum storage requirements for Android. In Android 12, Google allowed the OS version to install on just 8GB. This rose to 16GB with Android 13, followed by 32GB with Android 15. The change was first reported by Android Authority, which spotted it in a GMS (Google Mobile Services) requirements document.

This doesn't mean Google is outright banning super-cheap 16GB phones. Manufacturers can still make those if they use the open-source Android code. But to access must-have Google apps and services like the Play Store, they'll probably need to follow the new rules.

It's a smart move by Google. While 32GB isn't a massive amount of space, it's still double what the cheapest Androids have been shipping with. That means precious breathing room for apps and user data, rather than having the system take up most of the pathetically small 16GB capacity.

The requirement also states that 75% of a device's total storage must be allocated to the data partition used for apps and user content. So on a 32GB phone, 24GB would be available for apps, games, downloads, and other files.

Of course, more storage doesn't necessarily mean faster storage speeds. Many affordable Android handsets still use cheaper, slower eMMC flash chips rather than the faster UFS storage found in more premium devices. But having adequate capacity is the bigger problem budget phones have faced.

There are a couple of potential downsides to this storage increase. First, any existing 16GB phones out there may not be able to upgrade to Android 15 since they don't meet the new storage minimum. That shouldn't be a huge loss, though, considering most brands choose not to version upgrade such devices at all.

The other potential issue is that this change could lead manufacturers to raise prices slightly on their lowest-end offerings, though once again, for most buyers, paying those extra bucks could be well worth it to avoid that constant "insufficient storage" headache. Apps and games just keep growing heavier, and the trend doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon.

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Google doubles Android storage requirement again, now set at 32GB

 

[WhiteLeaff]

Keep piling up the bloatware. XD

 

[DanteSmith]

Keep piling up the bloatware. XD

Both Windows and Android are becoming increasingly slow and inefficient. Google and Microsoft have little incentive to improve them, as there's no real competition.

 

[human7]

Both Windows and Android are becoming increasingly slow and inefficient. Google and Microsoft have little incentive to improve them, as there's no real competition.

Maybe the antitrust case against Google will cause that to change. And Microsoft is ripe for its own antitrust case.

May not happen, but I can dream, at least.

 

[airbornex]

Honestly, it’s about time. A 16GB phone in 2025 is basically a frustration machine — the OS alone eats half the space, and then you get a couple of apps before hitting the dreaded storage full warning. This feels like a win for basic usability.

The 75% data partition rule is a nice touch. It pushes manufacturers to stop hoarding space for system bloat and actually leave room for users to install stuff.

 

[daffy duck]

I miss the days of installing custom lean ROMS and fast kernels. Being able to delete enormous amounts of bloatware aka trash apps was highly enjoyable.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

I miss the days of installing custom lean ROMS and fast kernels. Being able to delete enormous amounts of bloatware aka trash apps was highly enjoyable.

I miss the days of being able to pick up a windows phone that ran fine on hardware that would make android stutter without end.

Both Windows and Android are becoming increasingly slow and inefficient. Google and Microsoft have little incentive to improve them, as there's no real competition.

Is iOS not real competition? Apple makes the lionshare on profits on phones today.

 

[Axeia]

I miss the days of being able to pick up a windows phone that ran fine on hardware that would make android stutter without end.
Is iOS not real competition? Apple makes the lionshare on profits on phones today.

Can't buy an iPhone with Android or a non-iPhone with iOS. So, nope. They're not really competing directly

 

[Liranan]

Honestly, it’s about time. A 16GB phone in 2025 is basically a frustration machine — the OS alone eats half the space, and then you get a couple of apps before hitting the dreaded storage full warning. This feels like a win for basic usability.

The 75% data partition rule is a nice touch. It pushes manufacturers to stop hoarding space for system bloat and actually leave room for users to install stuff.

Agreed, 16GB phones are ancient. It's possible to get 128GB or even 256GB phones for 100 USD or even less than 50 second hand. There's absolutely no reason to have a 16GB phone, unless you're desperately in love with your iPhone 4 era dinosaurs that can't run current software.

I miss the days of installing custom lean ROMS and fast kernels. Being able to delete enormous amounts of bloatware aka trash apps was highly enjoyable.

Agreed, all phones should be open and we should be allowed to install custom ROMS if we wish. The S2 was such great fun for this.

 

[Puiu]

You can't even buy phones with 16GB anymore that support any android from the last few years. I think I see some dumb phones or Android 8 phones on Aliexpress with 16GB storage

 

[BuckarooBonzaii]

Read that as Android becomes more secured it will require more memory as security runs in the background. Among others, add in bloatware, data collection and software.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Can't buy an iPhone with Android or a non-iPhone with iOS. So, nope. They're not really competing directly

Isn't that kinda like saying Ford has no competition because you can't buy a Chevrolet F-150 or a Toyota Transit?

They're both smartphones competing for the same customer.

 

[abdulhkeem]

At this day and age it should be 128gb minimum 32gb and 64gb should be erased from existence at this point how much do you really get for your apps and data with those two?! Everything is consuming more and more storage these days!

 

[Theinsanegamer]

At this day and age it should be 128gb minimum 32gb and 64gb should be erased from existence at this point how much do you really get for your apps and data with those two?! Everything is consuming more and more storage these days!

Why? Most people dont need tons of storage like that. I just checked my phone, despite having 1000+ photos, some videos, and games installed, I'm only using 39GB.