Square
7 min read

Keeping Up with Android App Size Growth

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Summary

The article outlines Square's approach to managing the growth of Android app sizes, emphasizing the importance of reducing APK sizes to comply with Google Play's limits. It details strategies such as using Emerge Tools for optimization, automating size tracking in the CI pipeline, and maintaining accountability through Slack notifications. The authors discuss the challenges posed by a monorepo environment and the need for effective communication among teams to address app size changes proactively. By implementing these practices, Square aims to continuously monitor app size growth and improve overall app performance.

Key Learnings

  • 1Automating APK size tracking in CI can significantly enhance visibility and accountability among development teams.
  • 2Using tools like Emerge Tools can help identify optimization opportunities, such as converting PNG files to WebP and detecting unused libraries.
  • 3Establishing size thresholds for alerts can facilitate timely discussions about app size changes and encourage proactive measures.
  • 4Integrating size change notifications into the development workflow can improve team awareness and responsiveness to app size issues.
  • 5Maintaining a visual representation of app size trends over time aids in forecasting and managing future growth effectively.

Who Should Read This

Senior Mobile Developers focusing on optimizing Android app performance and managing CI processes.

Test Your Knowledge

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What are the trade-offs of using automated tools versus manual tracking for monitoring APK sizes?

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How can teams effectively balance the need for new features with the requirement to manage app size growth?

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In what scenarios might Slack notifications for app size changes lead to notification fatigue, and how can this be mitigated?

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What specific optimizations did Square find most effective in reducing APK sizes, and why were they prioritized?

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How does the monorepo structure impact the management of app size across multiple teams and projects?

Topics

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