Google won’t require new file system on Android 13 after all

Google has chosen not to require Enhanced Read-Only File System, erofs, for new phones running Android 13. Ext4 and f2fs will still be used, according to a new commit.

Google has relaxed the requirements for the file system used, so it says itself† It’s unclear why Google did that. Whoever found the commit Mishal Rahman of Esperalso says he does not know why the company suddenly changed the requirements after months of preparations.

The requirement came out last week. By using erofs, manufacturers can save space on read-only partitions of phone firmware. With some devices, that saves up to 800MB. It would also make the software run faster. It is unknown what disadvantages there are to using erofs. There is a chance that the use of erofs will put more stress on the processor and therefore demand a little more from the battery, but there are no figures on that.

Google has not responded to the matter. The requirements for Android 13 are still changing, as the operating system is in beta. The intention was that erofs would be mandatory for phones that come with Android 13. Huawei developed erofs a few years ago. OPPO and Xiaomi have already used it on phones.

Google Android source code: no erofs obligation in Android 13 after all