Did you know that the Android App Bundle has evolved into the industry standard for Google Play publishing? Examine its advantages.

I was ecstatic when I first learned about this new upload format called the App Bundle. Many of the difficulties us developers encountered—such as creating APKs to cater to various API versions, device kinds, and so forth—have been resolved on Google Play. 

Beginning today, developers will be able to use Dynamic Delivery to create optimised APKs that meet user devices’ requirements and provide them for installation at runtime.

The Android app bundle app distribution format is used for all of this. Let’s explore the new, official publishing format for Android.

What is Android App Bundle?

Android App Bundle (AAB) is a publishing format introduced by Google in 2018 that allows Android app developers to package their app’s code and resources more efficiently. AAB uses Google Play’s Dynamic Delivery technology to deliver only the necessary code and resources for specific device configurations. This results in smaller app sizes, faster installation times, and improved performance for users.

AAB includes several features that allow developers to create customized app experiences for users. These features include on-demand dynamic feature modules, which enable developers to deliver app features as needed, and modular architecture, which allows developers to create and manage multiple feature modules within a single app.

Google Play App Signing is another feature of AAB that provides an additional layer of security by enabling developers to upload their app’s signing key to Google Play, which helps ensure that the app is authentic and has not been tampered with.

10 Reasons Of Using Google Android App Bundle

Smaller App Sizes:

The smaller size of Android App Bundle (AAB) results in faster download and installation times for users. According to Google, AABs can result in a 20% reduction in app size on average. For example, Riafy Technologies reduced the app size of its Food Recipes app by 33% after switching to AAB, resulting in faster download and installation times.

Customized App Delivery:

AAB enables developers to deliver customized app experiences to users based on their device configuration. According to Google, AABs can result in a 13.6% reduction in the number of devices that experience crashes. For example, Scopely saw a 6% improvement in player retention after switching to AAB and delivering targeted content to specific user groups.

Improved App Performance:

AAB enables developers to optimize app performance by delivering only the necessary code and resources for specific device configurations. According to Google, AABs can result in a 15% reduction in app startup time. For example, Hopper saw a 10% improvement in app startup time after switching to AAB.

Increased App Discoverability:

AAB enables developers to deliver app features on-demand, resulting in a more efficient app experience for users. According to Google, apps using AABs see a 15% increase in the number of people who try the app. For example, the language-learning app Drops saw a 27% increase in the number of users who tried the app after switching to AAB and delivering on-demand content.

Better Security:

AAB includes features such as Google Play App Signing, which helps ensure that the app is authentic and has not been tampered with. According to Google, apps using AABs have a 17% lower rate of installations with harmful content. For example, the popular dating app Badoo saw a 20% reduction in the number of fraudulent app installs after switching to AAB and implementing Google Play App Signing.

Simplified Release Management:

AAB enables developers to release multiple versions of their app with just one upload. According to Google, apps using AABs see a 30% reduction in the number of APKs uploaded. For example, the mobile game publisher Playrix reduced its APK count by 75% after switching to AAB and delivering targeted content to specific user groups.

Lower Development Costs:

AAB offers a cost-effective way to develop and maintain apps, as developers can create and distribute customized app bundles based on user requirements. According to Google, AABs can result in a 15% reduction in developer time spent on app publishing. For example, the finance app developer Stash saw a 50% reduction in the number of app variants it had to manage after switching to AAB.

Increased App Ratings and Reviews:

AAB enables developers to create a more engaging and personalized app experience, which can result in increased user engagement and positive app ratings and reviews. According to Google, apps using AABs have a 12% higher average rating compared to non-AAB apps. For example, the sports streaming app DAZN saw a 20% increase in the number of positive app reviews after switching to AAB and delivering personalized content to specific user groups.

Better User Retention:

AAB allows developers to deliver personalized app experiences, which can help improve user retention. According to Google, apps using AABs have a 10% higher user retention rate compared to non-AAB apps. For example, the social networking app Meetup saw a 20% increase in the number of users who returned to the app after switching to AAB and delivering targeted content to specific user groups.

Future-Proofing:

AAB is designed to support future Android platform features and devices, ensuring that apps remain compatible and performant on new devices and operating systems. According to Google, AABs can result in a 30% reduction in the number of app crashes on devices running the latest Android version. This helps ensure that the app remains stable and performs well across all Android devices.

How To Build and Deploy Android App Bundles?

Android App Bundle (AAB) is the new standard for building and deploying Android apps. With AAB, developers can create smaller app sizes, optimize app performance, and deliver customized app experiences to users. In this guide, we will walk through the steps to build and deploy Android App Bundles.

Step 1: Prepare Your App for AAB

Before you can build an AAB, you need to prepare your app for the new format. Start by updating your app to the latest version of Android Studio. Once you have done this, go to “Build” > “Generate Signed Bundle/APK” and select “Android App Bundle.” From there, you can select the modules you want to include in the bundle and set your signing configuration.

It is important to note that AABs only work with API level 21 (Android 5.0) or higher, so make sure your app is compatible with this version.

Step 2: Optimize Your App for AAB

Once you have prepared your app for AAB, it is time to optimize it for the new format. AABs allow you to deliver only the necessary code and resources for specific device configurations, resulting in faster download and installation times for users. To optimize your app for AAB, you can use tools such as Android Asset Packaging Tool (AAPT2) to remove unused resources from your app.

It is also important to ensure that your app is compatible with Google Play App Signing. Google Play App Signing is a feature that helps ensure that the app is authentic and has not been tampered with. To use Google Play App Signing, you need to generate a signing key and upload it to the Google Play Console.

Step 3: Build Your AAB

Once you have optimized your app for AAB, it is time to build your bundle. Go to “Build” > “Generate Signed Bundle/APK” and select “Android App Bundle.” From there, select the modules you want to include in the bundle and set your signing configuration. Once you have done this, click “Finish” and Android Studio will generate your AAB.

Step 4: Test Your AAB

Before you deploy your AAB, it is important to test it to ensure that it works correctly. To test your AAB, you can use the Google Play Console’s internal app sharing feature. This feature allows you to share your app with a small group of testers before releasing it to the public.

To use internal app sharing, go to the Google Play Console and select “Internal app sharing” from the sidebar. From there, upload your AAB and share it with your testers. Once your testers have downloaded and installed the app, they can provide feedback on any issues they encounter.

Step 5: Deploy Your AAB

Once you have tested your AAB and are satisfied with its performance, it is time to deploy it. To deploy your AAB, you need to upload it to the Google Play Console. Go to the Google Play Console and select “Release management” from the sidebar. From there, select “App releases” and click “Create release.” From there, you can upload your AAB and set your release track.

It is important to note that AABs only work with Google Play Store, so if you want to deploy your app on other app stores, you will need to create APKs.

Step 6: Monitor Your App Performance

After deploying your AAB, it is important to monitor your app’s performance. To do this, you can use the Google Play Console’s performance monitoring feature. This feature allows you to track your app’s stability, latency, and battery usage.

To use performance monitoring, go to the Google Play Console and select “Performance” from the sidebar. From there, you can view your app’s crash rate, ANR rate, and other metrics that can help you identify and fix issues that may be impacting your app’s performance.

Step 7: Update Your AAB

As your app evolves and new features are added, you will need to update your AAB to reflect these changes. To update your AAB, go to “Build” > “Generate Signed Bundle/APK” and select “Android App Bundle.” From there, select the modules you want to include in the updated bundle and set your signing configuration.

Once you have built your updated AAB, you can deploy it to the Google Play Console and release it to users. It is important to note that users will only receive updates to your app if they have automatic updates turned on or if they manually update the app.

Step 8: Keep Learning and Improving

Building and deploying AABs is an ongoing process that requires constant learning and improvement. Keep up to date with the latest developments in AAB technology and best practices by reading blogs and attending industry events. Use tools such as Google Analytics to track user engagement with your app and identify areas for improvement.

It is also important to listen to user feedback and respond to their needs. By building a strong relationship with your users and delivering a high-quality app experience, you can ensure the long-term success of your app.

Tips While Integrating Android App Bundle

Integrating Android App Bundle can be a bit challenging for developers, especially if they are new to this format. Here are some tips to keep in mind while integrating Android App Bundle:

1. Start small: If you are new to Android App Bundle, start by integrating it into a small project or feature within your app. This will allow you to get a feel for the new format and work out any issues before you move on to a larger project.

2. Use the latest version of Android Studio: Make sure you are using the latest version of Android Studio, as it includes many features and improvements for App Bundle development.

3. Optimize your app size: App Bundles are designed to help you reduce the size of your app, so make sure you take advantage of this feature. Remove any unnecessary code, images, or other assets that are not required for the app to function properly.

4. Test thoroughly: Before releasing your App Bundle to the public, test it thoroughly on different devices and configurations to ensure that it is working properly.

5. Use the Google Play Console: The Google Play Console provides a range of tools and resources to help you optimize your App Bundle, including testing, publishing, and monitoring tools.

6. Follow best practices: Follow the best practices for Android App Bundle development, such as modularizing your app, using ProGuard, and following the Android App Bundle size limits.

7. Monitor app performance: Use tools like Firebase to monitor your app’s performance and identify any issues that may be impacting user experience.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your integration of Android App Bundle is successful and that your app is optimized for performance, size, and user engagement.

Wrapping Up

Here is all you need to know about Android App Bundles with the hopes that you found the post to be informative. It is a fantastic solution for developers that wish to create apps quickly and handle the complexity of the apps with ease. It makes it simple for you to keep your users and gives you the bump in revenue and downloads that you require.

Are you trying to find a way to release your app? We can help you keep ahead of the competition as an Android app development company.

DianApps assists you in staying one step ahead of the competition with our service and knowledge. You may utilise our simple and effective methods to get the most of your mobile apps. 

Send in your queries to our experts and get the most out of your business apps. And don’t worry our response will not be delayed because DianApps aims at delivering the ultimate experience instantly with accurate strategies and product delivery estimations for you to get launched in time and receive deserving recognition for your mobile app.