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

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 cheap ... Read full article.