Addressing ‘out Of Memory’ Error In Android Apps

Addressing ‘Out Of Memory’ Error In Android Apps

Executive Summary

The “Out of Memory” error in Android apps is a common issue that can cause the app to crash. This error occurs when the app tries to allocate more memory than is available on the device. There are several ways to fix this error, including increasing the heap size of the app, reducing the number of objects in the app, and using memory-efficient data structures.

Introduction

Android apps are developed using the Java programming language. Java is a garbage-collected language, which means that the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is responsible for managing the memory used by the app. The JVM automatically reclaims memory that is no longer needed by the app. However, if the app allocates more memory than is available on the device, the JVM will throw an “Out of Memory” error.

Common Causes of ‘Out Of Memory’ Error

• Insufficient heap size: The heap is the area of memory where objects are stored. If the heap size is too small, the app may not be able to allocate enough memory for all of the objects that it needs.
• Too many objects: If the app creates too many objects, the JVM may not be able to reclaim memory quickly enough. This can lead to an “Out of Memory” error.
• Memory leaks: A memory leak occurs when the app holds onto objects that are no longer needed. This can prevent the JVM from reclaiming memory, and can eventually lead to an “Out of Memory” error.
• Large bitmaps: Bitmaps are images that are stored in memory. Large bitmaps can take up a lot of memory, and can contribute to an “Out of Memory” error.
• Inefficient data structures: Some data structures are more memory-efficient than others. Using inefficient data structures can lead to an “Out of Memory” error.

Troubleshooting the Error

1. Use a Memory Profiler

Using a memory profiler, you can identify the objects that are consuming the most memory, and correct any code using memory inefficiently.

2. Set Target SDK to a Lower Android API Level

Set target API level to a lower version like API 19 or lower. This may help you gain more headroom and prevent the app from exceeding the memory limit often caused by post-API 21 memory overhead.

3. Enable Use 32-Bit ABIs

Enable the use of 32-bit ABIs in the build.gradle file. This ensures the app will also run on 32-bit devices, increasing the total address space available for objects.

4. Enable Large Heap

Add android:largeHeap="true" to the AndroidManifest.xml file to allow the app to use a larger heap size. However, this may not fully resolve the error and could lead to performance issues on older devices.

5. Reduce Bitmap Memory Usage

Instead of loading the entire bitmap into memory, consider using techniques such as downscaling, caching, or lazy loading to reduce memory consumption.

Conclusion

The “Out of Memory” error is a common issue in Android apps. However, by following the steps outlined in this article, you can fix this error and improve the performance of your app.

Keyword Phrase Tags

• Out Of Memory Error
• Android Apps
• Memory Management
• Java Virtual Machine
• Garbage Collection