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Summary: Android 16 is set to speed up app installations with a new “cloud compilation” feature that offloads parts of the process to the cloud. This should help apps install faster, especially on lower-end devices, though we’ll have to wait for Android 16’s release around June to see how well it works in practice.
Depending on its size and contents, installing an app on your phone can take a while. However, in the upcoming Android 16 update, Google is giving app installation a speed boost. According to a report from Android Authority, this is thanks to a new Android 16 feature called “cloud compilation.”
What is cloud compilation, and how does it work?
If you’re a non-technical person, this sounds confusing and highly technical. To put it simply, cloud compilation loads application artifacts from files downloaded through the Google Play Store, offloading part of the installation process to the cloud instead of handling everything on-device. This will speed up the app installation process on devices running Android 16 and is beneficial, especially for lower-end devices that don’t have as much processing power or memory.
When you install an app on Android, the system processes its code to make it run faster. Android uses a tool called dex2oat to convert the app’s code (in .dex files) into “application artifacts.” These artifacts help apps launch quickly and run smoothly. There are different types, such as .vdex files, which speed up code checks when the app runs. Then there are .odex files, which store pre-compiled parts of the app for faster use. Lastly, there are .art files that hold important app info like strings and classes to make startup faster.
Obviously, higher-end Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have no issues generating these artifacts quickly. However, cheaper phones that have lower-end processors might take a longer time.
That said, because the feature isn’t live and Android 16 hasn’t launched yet, no one can say for sure how much faster app installs will be. It sounds promising on paper, though.
Android 16’s release
Unlike the previous version of Android, Android 16 will be released earlier. Previously, Google typically waited until much later in the year to release the next major Android OS update. However, with Android 16, Google is moving up its timetable. In fact, we heard that Google is aiming to release Android 16 around June.
This will give handset makers more time to prepare for the update before the end of the year. Google will probably share more details about Android 16 at Google I/O in May.