Google has decided to "break the 50MB barrier" by upping the maximum size of apps submitted to Android Market to 4GB.

The move, detailed on the Android Developers blog, is designed to reflect the changing nature of apps on the platform and the resources they require.

 

Google claims the graphics-heavy 3D releases that are becoming increasingly prevalent on the platform require the firm to make a response.

The space race

"Android applications have historically been limited to a maximum size of 50MB," detailed developer advocate Tim Bray on the blog.

"This works for most apps, and smaller is usually better - every megabyte you add makes it harder for your users to download and get started. However, some types of apps, like high-quality 3D interactive games, require more local resources."

The added space can be delivered by up to two expansion files, which will be downloaded automatically on newer Android devices.

However, on older phones, the user will be prompted to pick up the files the first time they start up the app in question.

"While you can use the two expansion files any way you wish, we recommend that one serve as the initial download and be rarely if ever updated; the second can be smaller and serve as a 'patch carrier', getting versioned with each major release," concludes Bray.

Further details on how to take advantage of the new file limit can be found on the Android Developers blog.