Smartphones with Android 13 will use file optimization technology originally developed by Huawei. Ironically, the phones that come out will have to use it if they want to access Google services.
It’s a little ironic, but it makes sense. The smartphones that will be released under Android 13 “ will need to use Huawei’s EROFS file system format for read partitions if they want to access Google services and the Play Store” announcement Android Police. The objective for Google is to speed up the downloading of updates and to optimize the storage space of smartphones sold with its operating system.
What is EROFS, the file system format developed by Huawei?
EROFS stands for Enhanced Ready-Only File Systemwhich could be translated asImproved read-only file system . It is a system developed by Huawei for the Linux kernel. Its purpose is to save storage space by using compression on read-only files for Android smartphones. EROFS appeared a few years ago on Huawei’s products that shipped with EMUI 9.0.1 and later. It has also been integrated into the Linux kernel v5.4.
This system “Reduces application startup time by up to 22.9% while nearly halving storage usageaccording to one of the creators of EROFS. A priori, there is no disadvantage to using this file system, at least according to Google, which uses it itself.
Google forces your hand
This is Mishaal Rahman, fromEsper.iowho spotted changes within the mobile operating system as well as at a Google conference. If we do not know much about the licensing requirements of the giant, we could learn more with the launch of Android 13. Google will therefore force smartphone manufacturers to use the EROFS file system format developed by Huawei for read-only files. If they do not want to comply, they will not be able to take advantage of Google services and the Play Store: in other words, it is indeed an obligation for brands if they want to sell their phones without any problems.
A system already implemented by several manufacturers like Oppo or Xiaomi. According to Rahman, “the Pixel 7 will be among the first new phones to meet this soon-to-be-imposed requirement“.
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