Pixel 7 only tests 64-bit Android, can't run 32-bit apps

Enlarge / The Pixel 7 in a nice "hazelnut" color. Google

Here's a surprise: We knew Android was about to drop support for 32-bit apps very soon, with the upcoming Pixel tablet receiving code saves to prepare it for a 64-bit version of Android. 'Android only. What no one noticed is that the Pixel 7 is also dropping support for 64-bit apps, so its release yesterday takes a big step into the future of 64-bit-only Android. Esper Senior Technical Editor Mishaal Rahman has figured out the ins and outs of how this is going to work.

It looks like the Pixel tablet will always be the first to run a 64-bit version of Android only, and the Pixel 7 is only half a step towards that milestone. Thirty-two-bit apps are disabled via a software flag, but it still doesn't run a 64-bit version of Android only. If you try to install a 32-bit application, an error message will appear: "The application is not installed because the application is not compatible with your phone."

It looks like the OS isn't quite ready for 64-bit only, as some system libraries are still 32-bit, but Google is getting there. Also, starting with an artificial software indicator is a good test case. Google can see exactly how much trouble 64-bit will cause and could easily turn off the indicator in a software update if things get too bad.

Really, though, most consumers won't notice the loss of 32-bit apps. Java apps are compiled by Android RunTime (ART), and the runtime can just create 64-bit binaries! The only concern is for non-Java applications (usually games), which will require the developer to build 64-bit versions. However, the Play Store made 64-bit support mandatory for all update apps in 2019, so the only issues should be with abandonware apps that are several years old. The 2013 hit Flappy Bird seems to be the best example.

Enlarge / RIP Flappy Bird. Now he's crashing into 32-bit heaven. Ron Amadeo

64-bit-only mode will soon be a reality for new Android devices. While the Pixel 7's Tensor 2 still has 32-bit support on every core, it's probably the only 2022 flagship phone that can say that. This year's Qualcomm and Samsung flagship SoCs only support 32-bit on three of their eight cores, and Arm's suggested X3 SoC design for 2023 doesn't support 32-bit at all. As for the Chinese market, Qualcomm would be reluctant to drop 32-bit support so soon and may not follow Arm's guidelines.

Once the full 64-bit-only Android builds launch, we're supposedly going to see better performance and security by removing all that 32-bit crudeness. According to Rahman, an internal Google study showed a 5-10% improvement in performance and power efficiency, as well as a reduction in RAM and storage requirements.