What are Android Instant Apps and how can I get them?

published 14 February 2017

Android Instant Apps have been eagerly anticipated since first being announced as part of Android 7.0 - and now they’re here.

An Android Instant App is essentially one that appears as a link in a browser so users can go into the app version rather than website. But, unlike now, you won’t have to download the app. It’s a bit like streaming video on YouTube rather than having to download the whole thing like in ye olde days.

Instant App works by downloading in your cache only the information needed to run the app there and then. The result is a fast access to the full app platform that more often than not will give a better experience than working through a browser on your mobile.

To get Instant Apps on your phone you’ll need to have Android 7.0 installed. Once up to date you should start seeing the app links appear from your Google searches. To active the Instant App service you need just once to go into your phone’s menu to Settings > Google Instant Apps > turn on switch > agree to terms. Then you’re all set to start using the service.

If you like an app then you can still download the full version to have it stored on your phone for offline use as you need it. And for those using older versions of Android, don’t worry, Instant Apps are coming to 96 percent of Android users as they’ll work from Android 4.1 and higher.

7 tips to make the most of Android 7.0 Nougat

via Android Central

Luke is a former freelance writer for T3 with over two decades of experience covering tech, science and health. Among many others Luke wrote about health tech, software and apps, VPNs, TV, audio, smart home, antivirus, broadband, smartphones, cars and plenty more. In his free time, Luke used to climb mountains, swim outside and contort his body into silly positions while breathing as calmly as possible.