Google has updated the minimum system requirements for Android 13 to include 2GB RAM and 16GB storage.

Following the recent release of Android 13, the Android developer’s latest blog post announces that Android GO devices must have at least 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage in order to update to Android 13. Any smartphone that does not meet the minimum requirements will therefore be unable to receive the update. In addition, developers urge OEMs to include a minimum of 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage in upcoming entry-level Android smartphones if they want the device to run Android 13 or later.

On a brief note, Android (Go Edition) is a mobile operating system created for low-end smartphones with included minimum RAM sizes. This operating system runs lighter in order to save data, allowing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to build low-cost, entry-level devices.

Furthermore, according to Android Enterprise experts Jayson Bayton (via Mishal Rahman), Google has made it a requirement for all new Android Go devices to meet the minimum storage system before it can run Android 13, which includes existing devices on the market. Furthermore, OEMs are not permitted to preload Google Mobile Service (GMS) on upcoming devices with less than 2GB of RAM built in. 

Nevertheless, this is not the first time Google has imposed such limitations, following the release of Android 11 in 2020, devices with less than 512MB of RAM will be unable to preload the updated GMS. The company also specified that all phones launching with Android 11 or later and less than 2GB RAM must launch as Android Go devices.

As a result of the updated minimum requirements, OEMs will now be required to offer an entry-level smartphone with at least 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage in order for GMS to be preloaded on devices running Android 13 or later.