As Android evolves, we have seen the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit devices and the applications that run on them. You may have heard the term “64-bit” before, and you may wonder what it means and how it affects your Android apps. This article will explain what 32-bit and 64-bit mean and how you can check the bit architecture of apps installed on your Android device.
If you’re an app developer, you need to know which architecture your app is built on to optimize app performance, reduce crashes, and ensure compatibility with various devices.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To check if an app is 32-bit or 64-bit, you need an Android device with an OS version higher than Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and installed 64-bit CPU architecture.
If you meet these requirements, you can check for an app’s bit architecture by using the following methods.
What Requires Your Focus?
To check for an app’s bit architecture, you need to focus on these key areas:
- The app’s installation page on Google Play
- The app’s system information on your Android device
- Using third-party apps
Different Methods to Check If App Is 32-Bit Or 64-Bit Android
Method 1: Google Play Store
Most apps on Google Play Store are optimized for 32-bit devices and 64-bit architecture, but the store makes it easy to see the architecture of the app you are downloading.
- Open Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Type the name of the app you want to check in the search bar and hit Enter.
- Scroll down to the app’s description, and click on the “Read More” link.
- Look for the “Architecture” field in the Compatibility section.
- You will find either “arm” or “arm64” listed in this field, which indicates the app’s architecture.
Pros:
- Easy and convenient to use
- Does not require third-party apps
Cons:
- Not all app descriptions list the architecture
- May not work for apps not downloaded from the Google Play Store
Method 2: System Information
This method requires digging into your Android device’s settings and checking the system information to see the architecture of the installed apps.
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Select “About Phone” or “About Device” and tap on it.
- Look for the “Processor” or “CPU” field.
- You will find the processor’s architecture listed as either “arm” or “arm64”.
- Next, scroll down and select “Apps” or “Application Manager”.
- Select the app you want to check and look for the “App Details” or “App Info” option.
- Under “App Details,” look for the “Architecture” field.
- You will find either “arm” or “arm64” listed in this field, which indicates the app’s architecture.
Pros:
- Provides in-depth information about the device’s architecture and apps
- Does not require third-party apps
Cons:
- Requires navigating through multiple menus
- Not user-friendly for non-technical users
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
You can use third-party apps from the Google Play Store to check for an app’s bit architecture easily.
- Download and install any third-party app from the Google Play Store such as “All-in-One Toolbox”, “Droid Hardware Info”, or “My Device”.
- Open the app and navigate to the “System Info” or “System Specifications” page.
- Look for the “CPU Architecture” or “Processor Architecture” field.
- You will find the processor’s architecture listed as either “arm” for 32-bit or “arm64” for 64-bit architecture.
- Find the app you want to check and click on it.
- Under “App Details,” look for the “Architecture” field.
- You will find either “arm” or “arm64” listed in this field, which indicates the app’s architecture.
Pros:
- Provides an easy and efficient way to check an app’s architecture
- Third-party apps provide more detailed information about CPU architecture
Cons:
- Requires downloading and installing additional apps, which can consume storage space
- Third-party apps may not be reliable or trustworthy
Why Can’t I Check If App Is 32-Bit Or 64-Bit Android?
Several reasons could prevent you from checking whether an app is 32-bit or 64-bit Android:
- Your device may have an OS version lower than Android 5.0 (Lollipop)
- Your device may have a 32-bit CPU architecture
- Some apps do not list their architecture in their description or App details.
Here are the fixes and workarounds for each of these reasons:
- If your device has an OS version lower than Android 5.0 (Lollipop), you can update your device firmware to a newer version with the required OS version, or buy a new device with a higher OS version.
- If your device has a 32-bit CPU architecture, you cannot use 64-bit apps. This means that even if an app is 64-bit, you can only use the 32-bit version on your device. In this case, you should stick to 32-bit apps.
- If an app doesn’t list its architecture on its description or App details, you can try the third-party apps mentioned above to check the architecture.
Implications and Recommendations
Knowing which apps are 32-bit or 64-bit on your device can have implications for app performance and compatibility. Here are a few recommendations:
- 64-bit apps run faster and can handle more data than 32-bit apps, but if your device has a 32-bit CPU architecture, you can only use the 32-bit versions of apps.
- If you are an app developer, build 64-bit apps to optimize app performance, reduce crashes, and ensure compatibility with various devices.
- Always update your device firmware to the latest version to support new features and fix bugs.
5 FAQs about Checking Bit Architecture of Android Apps
Q1: What is the benefit of 64-bit apps over 32-bit apps?
A: 64-bit apps can handle more data and run faster than 32-bit apps on devices that have 64-bit CPUs. They are also optimized to support more RAM, making them ideal for apps that require a lot of memory, such as photo and video editing.
Q2: Can a 32-bit app run on a 64-bit device?
A: Yes, 32-bit apps can run on 64-bit devices. However, 32-bit apps may not perform as well as 64-bit apps on 64-bit devices that have a 64-bit CPU architecture.
Q3: How can I check if my device has a 32-bit or 64-bit CPU architecture?
A: You can check your device’s CPU architecture by going to your device Settings, scrolling down to the System menu, and selecting “About phone” or “About tablet.” The CPU architecture will be listed under the “Processor” or “CPU” field as either “arm” or “arm64”.
Q4: Does checking the app architecture consume battery?
A: No, checking the app architecture does not consume any extra battery.
Q5: Are third-party apps safe to use for checking app architecture?
A: Most third-party apps are safe to use, but it’s important to check their reviews and ratings before downloading. Also, stick to well-known apps and avoid downloading apps with low ratings, as they may be malware or spam.
Final Words
Checking if an app is 32-bit or 64-bit Android is easy, and you can do it using methods such as using the Google Play Store, your Android device’s system information, and third-party apps. Remember that 64-bit apps run faster and can handle more data than 32-bit apps on devices that have 64-bit CPUs. As an app developer, building 64-bit apps for optimized performance, few crashes and proper compatibility with various devices is important.