Google lowers RAM requirement for Android TV OS

According to a report, Google is rolling out a host of requirements changes related to the Android TV and Google TV operating systems (OS). It is said to have lowered the minimum RAM requirement for running Android TV – the operating system usually used by budget TVs and streaming devices. Meanwhile, the base RAM for Google TV OS has been increased in an effort to ensure a better quality experience.

Google is making changes to RAM requirements

According to an Android authority reportGoogle has submitted changes to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to reduce the RAM requirement for TVs and streaming devices powered by the Android TV operating system. Devices are now only required to have 1 GB of RAM, down from the previous requirement of 1.5 GB.

Citing sources, the report adds that the Mountain View-based tech giant is working on “optimizations” to improve the experience while dealing with minimal memory. It is speculated that this move is in favor of running the Android TV 14 OS on low-end devices marketed as affordable streaming solutions in the TV market. Devices with 1GB of RAM would support 1080p output capabilities, while 4K output would still require 1.5GB of memory, the report said.

Meanwhile, another change has been filed for Google TV: the more polished operating system for more expensive devices. The minimum RAM requirement to run the operating system has been increased from 1.5 GB to 2 GB. Mid-range streaming devices on the market, such as the Chromecast (4K) and TVs from brands like Hisense and TCL, also usually come with enough RAM to run the operating system.

It is notable that Google’s latest device, the Google TV Streamer (4K), already comes with 4 GB of RAM. However, the report speculates that a change in the basic requirement is unlikely to have an impact on the overall performance of the TVs.

This development comes after it was reported that Google might skip Android TV 14 for smart TVs and release Android TV 16 straight in 2026.