Forum Discussion
Edge for Android: does Microsoft get to decide 32-bit/64-bit?
Quick question about Edge for Android: does Microsoft get to decide if the 64-bit version of Edge for Android gets pushed out via Google Play Store or is this all up to Google? I ask because, even though I have a new Pixel 3, the 32-bit version of Chrome is what's on my phone, which is a real shame. I don't know how to check whether I have the 32-bit version of Edge or the 64-bit version.
(of course the device has to be eligible/compatible, 64-bit version of Android etc.)
Bdsrev Thanks for the interesting question. I want to be sure you get a definitive answer if possible, so I reached out to our Android team. I'll let you know if they have any additional insights.
Fawkes (they/them)
Project & Community Manager - Microsoft EdgeDeletedFawkes you are just the best, thank you so much!
Btw, if it's not too much trouble can you please also get us an update about the dark mode scrollbars for Windows? In August Elliot Kirk wrote about it "We are aware of this issue, it has several pieces to it. we have already added dark mode to the browser frame scroll bars. There are also web page scroll bars and we are working on getting those to display properly, but do not have an ETA at this time"
Our mobile team says that is MS Edge for Android is downloaded from Google Play, then the Play store will check if the device is ARM64 or ARM-based, and install the corresponding build.
Hopefully that helps!
(And Bdsrev I'm working on getting an answer to your question. I checked with Elliot, and will be chatting with that feature team, too.)
Fawkes (they/them)
Project & Community Manager - Microsoft Edge
HiBdsrev
I've finished my research on this subject, the conclusion is this:
First I found a tool which creates a device documentation for you, listing the architecture for each app. Unfortunately, this seems not always to be set (for several apps it is just "null" – in which case Adebar cannot show it either). it's called Adebar.
https://github.com/IzzySoft/Adebar
you can also look at the output of adb shell dumpsys package and check the primaryCpuAbi
Also:
Java apps are neither 32-bit nor 64-bit. Bitness matters only if app includes prebuilt native libraries inside .apk.
More info in here: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/208087/android-apps-for-armeabi-v7a-and-x86-architecture-soc-vs-processor-vs-abi/208132#208132
In this case extract the .apk (in any unzip utility) and check the binaries or .so files using e.g. file command or hexdump etc.
Another great answer: How to tell what architecture an APK is intended for?
- How to find if apk is 32-bit or 64-bit
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30348216/how-to-find-if-apk-is-32-bit-or-64-bit
The 64-bit requirement: what it means for developers
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2019/01/get-your-apps-ready-for-64-bit.html- But I get Edge via the Google Play Store... When I go to edge://version or "About this app" in Edge's settings, it doesn't say anything about 32-bit or 64-bit
- I tried going to the developer area => process manager and still couldn't see running apps' architecture.
tried installing a couple of task manger apps too, still no luck.
fact is Google play automatically detects your CPU architecture and installs the correct version on your phone.
https://developer.android.com/google/play/publishing/multiple-apks
there is also a way to force install 64bit app if dealing when multi-apk app bundles
https://developer.android.com/distribute/best-practices/develop/64-bit#test-64-bit-hardware
since 2019 August, Google play requires all apps to have a 64-bit version.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2017/12/improving-app-security-and-performance.html
so if your device is 64bit, then Edge and other installed apps must be 64bit too.
