apk vs aab
Questions and articles about apk vs aab, answered in plain English.
Questions about apk vs aab
What is the difference between an APK and an AAB?
An APK (Android Package) is the installable file that runs on a device; an AAB (Android App Bundle, .aab) is a publishing format you upload to Google Play, which then generates and signs optimised APKs for each device. Since August 2021, new apps must be published as AABs — you can no longer upload a plain APK for a new app. APKs are still used for sideloading and direct distribution.
Why does Google Play require an AAB instead of an APK?
Google Play requires the App Bundle so it can deliver smaller, device-optimised downloads through Play Feature Delivery — users only download the code and resources their specific device needs, cutting download size by around 15% on average. The trade-off is that Google must hold your app-signing key (Play App Signing) to repackage and sign the bundle for each device.