Android 16 new feature can speed up app installation

Google has improved the performance of low-end Android devices with the introduction of a new feature in Android 16.

Called cloud compilation, the feature aims to speed up the app installation process on devices with weak processors and slow storage.

The feature allows application artifacts to be loaded from files downloaded from the Google Play Store, rather than being generated on the device, reducing the time it takes to install new apps.

To note, the Android operating system uses the Android Runtime (ART) to execute application code. 

When a new app is installed, Android uses a tool called dex2oat to generate application artifacts, which are crucial components of the Android OS.

These artifacts can take several forms, including .vdex files, .odex files, and .art files. They help the operating system load apps faster and more efficiently.

However, generating these artifacts can be a time-consuming process, especially on low-end devices.

Android 16's cloud compilation feature bypasses the need to run dex2oat during installation. Instead, the device downloads precompiled application artifacts from the Google Play Store, which are stored in SDM files.

These files contain the cloud compilation artifacts and are signed with the same key used to sign the APK.