development
App Bundle
A package format (Android App Bundle for Google Play, or a group of apps sold together on the App Store) that optimizes delivery or bundles multiple apps at a discount.
App Bundle carries two meanings in mobile development. On Android, it refers to the Android App Bundle (AAB) publishing format that Google Play uses to generate optimized APKs per device. On the Apple App Store, it describes a collection of apps sold together at a discounted price.
Android App Bundle (AAB)
The AAB is the required publishing format for Google Play. Instead of uploading a single universal APK, developers upload an AAB file containing all compiled code and resources. Google Play then uses Dynamic Delivery to generate APKs tailored to each device, including only the libraries needed for that screen density, CPU architecture, and language. The result is a smaller download for every user.
Apple App Store Bundles
On the Apple App Store, a bundle is a marketing feature that groups multiple paid apps at a lower combined price. Users who already own some included titles pay a reduced amount adjusted for prior purchases. This approach cross-promotes related apps and lifts total revenue.
Why It Matters
For Android developers, the AAB format is mandatory for Google Play and shrinks app size, which lifts install conversion rates. For Apple developers, bundling is a monetization and marketing tactic that drives downloads across an entire app portfolio.