- 64-bit Google TV apps need to deliver smoother, faster performance
- Developers were told to prepare for “upcoming” Google TV/Android TV devices
- Target date is August 2026
Google has asked app developers to prepare for the “upcoming 64-bit Google TV and Android TV devices” by ensuring that their TV apps are available as 64-bit versions.
Developers have plenty of time to prepare: The new rules come into force in August 2026.
Moving from 32-bit to 64-bit is good news for Google TV and Android TV users with compatible hardware because 64-bit apps generally deliver faster load times, less delay and better overall performance.
And streaming fans can see it in action on an Apple TV 4K because Apple started the 64-bit app transition ten years ago and ended the transition in 2019.
Does Google’s 64-Bit move new hardware?
Yes, but not necessarily from Google: While there has been some speculation that Google is working on a new 64-bit Google TV streamer for launch next year, the operating systems are also used by third-party products such as NVIDIA Shield and several of the best TVs, including Sony Bravia 8 II. Google’s blog post notes that three versions of Nvidia Shield are 64-bit skilled.
While Apple removed 32-bit support in TVOS 13 back in 2019, Google is not following. “We won’t make changes to 32-bit support and Google Play will continue to deliver apps to 32-bit devices,” wrote Google TV product manager Fahad Durrani.
What Google is doing here is asking developers to future their apps, and from next August it means to submit both 32-bit and 64-bit versions for maximum compatibility.
This means that users of existing Google TV and Android TV hardware do not have to worry about their apps disappearing or being left without updates in the foreseeable future, but depending on your device it may mean that a benefit increase is coming next year – or it may mean your next device gets boosted.
