App feature delivery via dynamic modules to reduce app size and release faster

Feature Delivery via Dynamic Modules: Reduce App Size & Release Faster

Modern apps are doing more than ever — payments, chat, AR filters, offline sync — but with every added feature comes a heavier app bundle. Bloated apps don’t just frustrate users; they hurt install rates and retention. According to Google, a 20% increase in app size can reduce install conversion rates by up to 27%.

The solution? Feature delivery via dynamic modules. By breaking your app into smaller, on-demand pieces, you can deliver a leaner core app and let users download features only when needed.

What Are Dynamic Modules?

Dynamic modules are independent feature packages within your app bundle that can be installed or uninstalled on demand. Unlike monolithic APKs, these modules let developers:

Ship a small base app with just the essentials.
Push optional features (AR, chat, advanced analytics) separately.
Update or remove features without a full app reinstall.
On Android, this is supported via Android App Bundles (AAB) and Play Feature Delivery. On iOS, a similar concept exists with On-Demand Resources (ODR).

Benefits of Using Dynamic Module

Smaller Install Size = Higher Conversions

A lightweight core app boosts download rates. For example, slimming a 100MB APK to 25MB can dramatically improve first-time installs in low-bandwidth region

Faster Release Cycles

Teams can iterate on individual modules instead of re-building the entire app. This reduces CI/CD build times and simplifies testing.

Customizable User Journeys

Not every user needs every feature. Dynamic delivery ensures that only relevant features are downloaded, keeping UX lean.

Improved Retention

Users are less likely to uninstall due to storage issues, since they only install what they actually use.

How Feature Delivery Works in Practice

Here’s a simplified flow for Android Dynamic Delivery:
Use Gradle to package features as dynamic modules.
Options include:
a. Install-time (delivered with base app).
b. On-demand (downloaded when user needs it).
c. Conditional (installed for certain devices/locales).
Use the Play Core API to trigger module download at runtime.
Once installed, the feature behaves like part of the base app.

Challenges & Best Practices

On-demand downloads require stable connectivity. Always provide fallback UX.
Teams must structure codebases cleanly to avoid dependencies between modules.
Explain why additional downloads are needed (e.g., “Downloading AR filter pack – 5MB”).

Best Practices:

Start with non-critical features (e.g., tutorials, advanced reporting).
Monitor usage with Firebase Analytics or Mixpanel to decide which features to modularize.
Automate module builds and testing with CI/CD pipelines like Jenkins or GitHub Actions.

Industry Example

A popular e-commerce app reduced its base APK from 90MB to 28MB by moving AR try-on and live chat into dynamic modules. Result: 18% increase in install conversion rates and 12% higher retention after 30 days.

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External Resources

Android App Bundles Guide (Google)
On-Demand Resources for iOS (Apple)

Conclusion

The future of mobile app delivery is modular. By adopting feature delivery via dynamic modules, businesses can cut app size, release faster, and give users only what they need, when they need it.

For teams struggling with bloated apps, this approach offers a proven path to agility, efficiency, and user delight.