Google to make Android Go must for phones with 2GB RAM or less

Android Go, the lighter version of Android is optimised for entry-level phones. It may soon become a requirement for new phones with 2GB RAM or less.

Android Go launched in 2017. (Google)

Google plans to make Android Go compulsory for new smartphones with 2GB RAM or less. This change is expected to begin from the next quarter this year.

Android Go currently runs on phones with 1GB RAM or less but it's not a requirement as such. But this may change soon according to a leaked copy of Android 11 discovered by XDA Developers. It's a device configuration guide for Android 11 and it mentions Android Go requirements for devices. It states that all new products launching with Android 11 “if they have 2GB RAM or less” should “launch as an Android Go device”.

This means that new Android 10 devices launching in Q4 this year with 2GB RAM or less will have to run on the Android Go platform. Same goes for devices launching with Android 11 and 2GB RAM or less.

Google launched Android Go back in 2017 for entry-level smartphones. It's a lighter version of Android and it's based on different OS versions as well. Android 10 (Go edition) launched last September. The OS also comes with Go apps like Gmail Go, Google Go, YouTube Go and more.

Google also launched the Camera Go app with portrait mode earlier this March. The app also comes with storage saving features. The Camera Go app was launched as part of Android Go reaching the 100 million active user mark. Google is yet to announce this Android Go requirement. Also, there's no requirement at present for smartphones with 2GB RAM or less to launch with Android Go. With the new move, Google appears to be expanding its Android Go ecosystem.