How Do I Make My Android App 64 Bit?
With the increasing demand for faster and more optimized apps, it has become essential for developers to ensure that their Android applications are compatible with the 64-bit architecture. In this tutorial, we will explore the steps to make your Android app 64 bit.
Why is 64-bit important?
The transition from 32-bit to 64-bit architecture offers several advantages. It allows apps to access more memory, enabling them to handle larger datasets and perform complex calculations more efficiently. Additionally, it improves security by implementing advanced security features such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP).
Check if your app supports 64-bit
Before making any changes, it’s important to determine whether your app already supports the 64-bit architecture. Here’s how you can check:
- Step 1: Open Android Studio and navigate to your project.
- Step 2: Go to “Build” in the top menu, then select “Analyze APK”.
- Step 3: Choose your APK file and click “OK”.
A new window will open displaying the contents of your APK file. Look for a folder named “lib” within it.
If you find subfolders like “arm64-v8a” or “x86_64”, then congratulations! Your app already supports the 64-bit architecture.
Create a new release with support for 64-bit
If your app doesn’t support the 64-bit architecture yet, follow these steps to create a new release:
- Step 1: Open your project in Android Studio.
- Step 2: Go to “Build” in the top menu, then select “Generate Signed Bundle / APK”.
- Step 3: Choose “Android App Bundle” and click “Next”.
- Step 4: Select your keystore file or create a new one, then click “Next”.
- Step 5: Choose the build type and flavor options, then click “Next”.
- Step 6: Under “Build Variants,” select the desired variant for your release build.
- Step 7: Check the box that says “Enable advanced profiling” and click “Finish”.
Congratulations! You have successfully created a new release for your app with support for the 64-bit architecture.
Add support for native libraries
If your app uses native libraries, you need to update them to include support for the arm64-v8a and x86_64 architectures. Here’s how you can do it:
- Step 1: Open your project in Android Studio.
- Step 2: Go to the “jni” folder within your project.
- Step 3: For each native library folder (e.g., armeabi-v7a), create corresponding folders named arm64-v8a and x86_64.
In each new folder, copy the appropriate native library files from the original folder. Make sure to update any file references within your project to use the new folders.
Testing and deployment
Now that your app supports the 64-bit architecture, it’s crucial to test and ensure everything is working as expected. You can use emulators or real devices running on 64-bit platforms for testing. Additionally, it’s recommended to publish a beta version of your app and gather feedback from users before making it available to everyone.
Once you are confident that your app is functioning correctly, you can deploy it on Google Play Store as an update for your existing users or as a new release for new users.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we discussed the importance of making your Android app 64 bit and provided step-by-step instructions on how to achieve it. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your app performs optimally on modern devices and reaches a wider audience.
Happy coding!