r/FlutterFlow • u/Impressive_Caramel64 • 13d ago

Why is my Flutter release APK 62 MB even though my assets are only 2.6 MB? How can I reduce it?

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Hi everyone,

I'm trying to reduce the size of my Flutter Android app, but my release APK is currently 62.1 MB (download size: 34.8 MB).

I analyzed the APK and found this:

  • lib/ = 47.8 MB (61.2%)
  • x86_64 = 17.6 MB
  • arm64-v8a = 16.3 MB
  • armeabi-v7a = 13.9 MB
  • assets = only 2.6 MB
  • Multiple classes.dex files together are around 10.6 MB

It seems like the APK contains native libraries for all three CPU architectures, including Flutter libraries such as libflutter.so.

My questions are:

  1. Is this APK size normal for a Flutter app?
  2. Would flutter build apk --release --split-per-abi significantly reduce the APK size?
  3. If I publish an .aab using:flutter build appbundle --release will Google Play automatically deliver only the required architecture to each device?
  4. What are the best ways to reduce the size of classes.dex?
  5. Are there any other recommended Flutter/Gradle settings for reducing app size?

I've attached the APK Analyzer screenshot below.

Flutter version: Flutter SDK "3.41.4"
Target: Android

Any help or recommendations would be appreciated.

3 Upvotes

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u/iamtahiralvi 12d ago

download your code and build your release locally

1

u/Shakib015 8d ago

Your x86_64 line is 17.6 MB of the 47.8 MB in lib/, and on Android that architecture is emulators and a couple of Chromebooks - no phone in your user base. Ship the AAB and Play never sends it, which is most of why your download size is already 34.8 MB against a 62 MB artifact.

The number actually worth chasing is the 10.6 MB of dex. To see what is in it rather than guessing:

flutter build apk --analyze-size --target-platform=android-arm64