What is ART and How to Enable It on your Android KitKat Device (Video)
A quick overview of what ART is and why you might want to install it. Any app on Android has to be compiled (translated to run on the device from the raw app code) to run on your device. The program that does this compiling at the moment on Android is called Dalvik and it uses a JIT (just in time) compiler to compile the Android app’s code as you open it (just in time making more sense now?). This has its benefits as it allows less storage to be needed on the device (since the compiling takes place every time the app is opened and the code is discarded every time it’s closed) but the major draw back of this is that it takes a bit to compile and that produces that lag you feel when opening an app.
Since storage has become much cheaper than when Android originally came out, Google decided to start working on a new runtime program that would compile the code once when you install the app instead of having to do it every time the app is opened. This new runtime is called ART. After two years of working on it, they’ve put it in Android 4.4. The runtime isn’t active by default, however (still ironing out some things and improving it), but you can easily activate it from the settings if you want to check it out. Before you do, keep in mind Google’s own words on the matter:
ART is a new Android runtime being introduced experimentally in the 4.4 release KitKat. This is a preview of work in progress in KitKat. It is available for the purpose of obtaining early developer and partner feedback.
With that little disclaimer out of the way, want to give it a try? Here’s how to enable ART on your Android KitKat device.
I. Before You Begin
1. You need a KitKat device (Android 4.4 or higher).
2. I use a Nexus 5 in this video so the settings for your device might be in a slightly different place (but generally About Device is always present in Settings somewhere and then Developer Options appear above that once activated).
3. This is an experimental runtime so some apps may not like it (although I have yet to run into an app with an issue myself).
II. Enable Developer Options
1. Pull down the notification shade by pulling down from the top of the device.
2. Tap the Quick Settings icon at the top right.
3. Tap the Gear icon to get to Settings.
4. Tap About Phone.
5. Continuously tap Build number over and over until it says you are a developer.
6. Hit back.
7. Tap on Developer Options that just appeared above About phone and turn them on.
III. Enable ART Runtime
1. Tap on Select Runtime in Developer Options.
2. Select Use ART.
3. Tap OK.
4. Wait for the device to reboot (this will take a while the first time).
5. Enjoy a faster device.
Seems like its only for nexus 5
The option is not there in nexus 7
It is for every device with android 4.4
My device is runnning 4.4.2, its not there
I enabled it on my Galaxy S2 with kitkat BAM ROM 4.4.2 xD
You have to enable developer options
In LG Optimus G E975 also, its not there, in the Developer Options page (Developer options have been enabled). Its also Android 4.4.2. I’m not sure whether it has to do with the KitKat subversion, or with the vendor “LG”.
Update:
It seems some vendors are avoiding it in specific devices, due to various reasons(lame ones) like space limitations, etc..
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=62375
It’s on my Nexus 7. I haven’t tried it yet though.
I have to reply a second time, as I found that the option Was on my 2013 N7, but not my 2012 N7, both of which are running 4.4.2, strange.
Yes, and my Nexus 7 (2012 version) is rooted. No Select Runtime option.
Does this wipe the device when enabled the first time? I’ve heard from both sides that it does/does not. Thanks!
I don’t think it did for me but not sure about other devices. Just up your photos to google plus and you contacts etc and give it a try.
Enabled it on an LG L70 (M323) with no issues at all. Now to enable on my Z2 🙂
How much time does it take to reboot after enabling ART?
A while.
Exactly how long does it take? Mine has been rebooting for over 3 hours now.
Depends on how many apps you have. Is it still showing something on the screen at least?
Approx 45 apps? And yes, it is showing the white Intel Inside logo over a black screen.
Then I’d turn it off and back on.
Tried it and it’s doing the same thing. Even went to the recovery menu and tried to reboot it that way. Nothing. Tried a system recovery and got an error message. Help!
No matter how hard i look.select runtime is not there. Please help
Some devices have it disabled unfortunately so you can’t enable it.
Lgg3 thanks plz help