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Google introduces slimline “Go” versions of some of its apps
July 22, 2025
Google launchedAndroid Goyesterday, its new system primed for devices in emerging markets. This comprises a version of Android Oreo optimized for low-tier hardware, a revamped Play Store, and dedicated apps — several of which Google has already discussed.
These apps are designed for devices with lower storage and RAM than your typical flagship, and are built to make better use of mobile data. Though Google revealed some of these alongside the new software, it’s not the only producer of such products: we’ve already seenapps from other brandsin this vein, and Google recentlycreated a set of guidelinesfor developing apps aimed at emerging markets, meaning we’re likely to see many more pop up in time.
The specific Google-developed apps we know to have been associated with Android Go so far are:
YouTube Gois the only Go app that we were previously familiar with. This is a slimline version of YouTube that lets you share videos via Bluetooth and download them for offline viewing. Meanwhile, Files Go is brand new file manager app that provides “smart recommendations” on how to free-up storage space, as well as letting users transfer files between devices wirelessly without consuming mobile data. Even more exciting, this app is available already and can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
Chrome and Gboard, on the other hand, don’t have new versions but are on the list thanks to their respective data saving functionality and multi-language options. As for the Google Play Store, this will look slightly different on Android Go devices to recommend apps for suitable for such handsets.
Rounding things off, Google Assistant Go is a version of assistant that can, for the first time, work on devices with 1 GB of RAM, and Google Go is a refreshed version ofGoogle Search Liteintroduced earlier this year. The remaining apps on the list, Google Maps Go and Gmail Go, haven’t been discussed yet.
We’ll dig into these apps in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, foreverything else you need to know about Android Go, hit the link.
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