App size directly impacts your bottom line. Google Play Console data reveals that for every 6MB increase in APK size, install conversion rates drop by 1%. For a popular app with 100,000 weekly visitors, this translates to 1,000 lost installs per week—simply due to file size.

In 2026, with users increasingly conscious of storage space and data usage, APK optimization isn’t optional—it’s essential for competitive success. This comprehensive guide presents 15 expert techniques to dramatically reduce your Android app’s footprint.

Understanding APK Anatomy

Before optimization, understand what comprises an APK:

  • Code (DEX files): 30-40% – Compiled Java/Kotlin code
  • Resources: 25-35% – Images, layouts, strings
  • Native libraries: 15-25% – .so files for different architectures
  • Assets: 5-15% – Raw files, fonts, data
  • Manifest & metadata: <5% - App configuration

The largest gains come from optimizing the first three categories.

Top 15 Optimization Techniques

1. Enable R8 Code Shrinking

R8 is Google’s code shrinker that removes unused code, shortens class/method names, and optimizes bytecode. Enable it in your build.gradle for 20-40% code size reduction.

2. Resource Shrinking

Remove unused resources automatically during build. This analyzes your code to identify unused drawables, layouts, and strings, achieving 10-25% resource size reduction.

3. Convert Images to WebP

WebP offers 25-35% better compression than PNG/JPEG. Use Android Studio’s built-in converter for quick wins.

4. Use Vector Drawables

For icons and simple graphics, replace raster images with VectorDrawables. One 2KB XML file replaces five 10-50KB PNGs, saving 80-95%.

5. Remove Unused Languages

If your app doesn’t support all languages, exclude unused translations for 5-15% savings.

6. Split APKs by ABI

Create separate APKs for different CPU architectures, saving 40-60% for apps with native libraries.

7. Use Android App Bundle (AAB)

AAB generates device-specific APKs, reducing average download size by 15-35%.

8. Compress Native Libraries

Enable library compression for 10-20% savings on apps with large native libraries.

9. Remove Debugging Information

Strip debug symbols from native libraries for 20-40% size reduction.

10. Optimize Dependency Usage

Audit dependencies and use specific modules instead of entire libraries for 20-50% savings.

11. Lazy Load Features

Use Dynamic Feature Modules for rarely-used features, reducing initial APK size by 30-60%.

12. Optimize Font Files

Use downloadable fonts or subset fonts for 50-80% font size reduction.

13. Compress Assets

For files in the assets folder, use compression for 60-80% savings on text-based assets.

14. Analyze with APK Analyzer

Use Android Studio’s APK Analyzer to identify size contributors and optimization targets.

15. Implement Build Variants

Create size-optimized variants for specific markets, saving 30-50% for emerging market builds.

Real-World Results

By implementing these techniques, you can achieve:

  • 40-70% size reduction on average
  • 15-30% higher install rates
  • Better user retention (faster downloads)
  • Improved Play Store ranking (size is a factor)

Conclusion

APK size optimization is a multiplier for your app’s success. Start with quick wins—WebP conversion, R8, and resource shrinking. Then tackle architecture-specific optimizations and dynamic features.

Remember: Every megabyte matters. In emerging markets with limited bandwidth, your 15MB app will outperform a competitor’s 30MB equivalent every time.

Use our ApkBaba WebP Converter for free, client-side image optimization.