Android users who want to upgrade to version 15 will need to ensure their device has at least 32GB of storage.

In a confidential GMS Requirements document uncovered by Android Authority, Google has set this level as the minimum amount of space required. This applies whether you buy a new phone with Android 15 out of the box or try to upgrade your existing device to the newest version.

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As today's Android phones typically come with at least 128GB of storage, the latest requirement is not especially onerous. If anything, it seems quite generous. However, it means that older or cheaper phones with 16GB of space or less will not be able to run Android 15, which officially kicked off last October.

What was the previous minimum requirement?

The new minimum is double the previous amount of 16GB, introduced with Android 13 in 2022, Android Authority explained. 

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Previously, Android 12 required just 8GB of storage. Approximately 75 percent of the 32GB must be reserved for the data partition, which houses system apps and files, system app data, and all user apps and files.

How can Google demand a minimum level of storage?

Technically, it cannot. 

However, the company can insist on a certain amount for manufacturers that want to run the official flavor of Android (and not the open source version AOSP) and outfit their phones with Google Mobile Services (GMS). 

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Licensed by Google, GMS is a collection of preinstalled apps and APIs, such as Google Search, Chrome, Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, and other programs that Android users have come to expect.

Why does Google require a minimum amount of storage?

The simple answer is performance. 

A phone with only 8GB or 16GB of space may have just enough room for all the necessary apps and data. Add in the software that users want to install and the files they create, and they will soon encounter a barrier, triggering both storage and performance issues. Even 32GB is not enough to house all the hefty games and other programs many people like to use, but at least it is a start.

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Out of curiosity, I ran a search on Amazon for Android phones with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of storage and found almost 800 results. Even assuming that some phones incorrectly appeared in the results, that is still a lot of devices that will not meet the new standard.

Since many of these phones are older or cheaper models, they probably would not receive Android 15 in the first place. However, setting a minimum storage requirement is yet another way for Google to ensure that Android users must buy a newer, more modern phone if they want to keep it updated.

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