Runtime on Android: what is this app, why do you need it and how to work with it

If you have ever looked at the list of running processes on your Android smartphone, you have probably noticed mysterious Runtime (or Android Runtime, ART). At first glance, it looks like an ordinary app, but it cannot be removed using standard methods. What is it - a virus, a system component, or something in between? Why does it consume resources, and is it possible to get rid of it without harming the phone?

In fact, Runtime is not just an application, but the basis of all apps on Android. Without it, your smartphone would not be able to run any application, be it a messenger, a game, or even a standard calculator. In this article we will look in detail at what it is, how it came about, how it differs from the old system, and why it can’t just be deleted. We will also give practical advice on how to optimize its operation if it overloads your device. Android Runtime (ART)how it appeared, how it differs from the old system Dalvik, and why it can’t just be deleted. We’ll also give practical advice on how to optimize its operation if it overloads your device.

What is Runtime on Android and why do you need it?

Android Runtime (ART) is virtual machinethat executes the code of all Android applications. It works as an intermediary between Java code (in which most applications are written) and processor your smartphone. Without it, applications simply would not be able to run.

Before version Android 5.0 Lollipop (2014), a different system was used instead of ART - Dalvik Virtual Machine. It worked on a different principle: instead of pre-compiling (as in ART), Dalvik compiled the code on the fly every time the application was launched. This slowed down performance and increased battery consumption. With the advent of ART, the situation has changed:

• 🔄 Compilation during installation: ART converts the application code into machine code even before the first launch, which speeds up further work.
• ⚡ Faster startup: Applications open faster, since you do not need to compile the code every time.
• 🔋 Less battery consumption: Optimized code requires less CPU resources.

Thus Runtime is not just a app, but a critical component of Android. Without it, the smartphone will not be able to perform even basic tasks. However, sometimes users encounter the fact that a process com.android.art or android.runtime uses too much RAM or CPU time. We will talk about the reasons and solutions further.

How Runtime affects the performance of a smartphone

In most cases ART works unnoticed and does not create problems. However, on weak or overloaded devices its activity may become noticeable. Here's how it manifests itself:

• 📈 High RAM consumption: The process com.android.art can take up to 100–300 MB RAM, especially after installing or updating applications.
• 🔥 CPU load: When compiling a new application, ART temporarily loads the CPU, which can cause the phone to heat up.
• 🐢 System slowdown: On devices with less than 2 GB of RAM ART activity sometimes leads to slowdowns.

But don't rush blame Runtime for all the problems. Most often slowdowns are not associated with ART itself, but with its interaction with other processes. For example:

• 📦 Installing/updating applications: At this point, ART compiles the code, which requires additional resources.
• 🗑️ Cluttered memory: If there is little free space on the phone, ART works less effectively.
• 🦠 Viruses or optimizers: Some "cleaners" mistakenly identify ART as an unnecessary process and try to close it, which only worsens the situation.

If your smartphone begins to slow down, do not rush to look for how to disable Runtime. First check:

1. Free memory space (must be at least 1-2 GB).
2. Device temperature (overheating slows down all processes).
3. List of recently installed applications (perhaps one of them conflicts with the system).

Is it possible to remove Runtime from Android and what will happen if you do this?

No, it is impossible to remove Android Runtime - this is not a separate application, but part of the operating system. list of processes (for example, com.android.art), an attempt to delete will lead to:

• 🚫 System crash: Android simply will not be able to launch applications.
• 🔄 Looped reboot: The phone will constantly try to start, but to no avail.
• 📵 Data loss: There is a high risk of damage to user files.

Some "craftsmen" on the Internet suggest disabling ART via ADB or root access, but this is guaranteed to cause the device to not work. Even if you see a message about “successful” removal, the smartphone will stop turning on after the first reboot.

⚠️ Attention! Any manipulations with system processes through root or ADB deprived warranty and may render the phone unusable. If you are not an expert, do not take risks.

Instead of deleting, it is better to optimize Runtime:

Clear the application cache in Settings → Memory

Delete unnecessary apps

Disable auto-update of applications in Google Play

Reboot the phone (this resets temporary ART processes)

Check for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web-->

Differences between ART and Dalvik: why did they change the virtual machine? It used

To Android 5.0 (2014) all smartphones worked on Dalvik Virtual Machine. She used JIT compilation (Just-In-Time), that is, it converted the application code into machine code directly during its execution. This had several disadvantages:

The transition to ART has become one of the most significant improvements in Android history. Thanks to him: One of the most significant improvements in the history of Android Battery life increased by

• 📱 Smartphones started working 20–50% faster (according to Google tests).
• 🔋Battery life increased by 10–15%.
• 🎮 Games and heavy applications began to launch without delay.

However, ART also has a small drawback: when installing or updating an application, it spends more time compiling, which is why it may seem like the phone is frozen. In fact, this is a normal process - just wait a few minutes.

How to check which version of Runtime is running on your phone

There are several ways to find out which virtual machine is used on your device. The easiest is through developer settings:

1. Open Settings → About phone.
2. Find the item Build number and tap on it 7 timesto activate developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and select System → For developers (or Advanced → For developers on some firmware).
4. Scroll down and find the line Virtual machine or Runtime. It will say ART (on all devices with Android 5.0 and later).

If you have Android 4.4 KitKat or older, there might be a switch between Dalvik i ART. On new versions of the OS there is no such option - ART is used by default and cannot be disabled.

Information about Runtime can also be obtained through ADB (Android Debug Bridge). To do this:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
2. Open the command line and enter:

   adb shell getprop dalvik.vm.usejit

   If answer false — ART is used if true — Dalvik (found only on very old devices).

⚠️ Attention! On some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or MIUI) the path to the developer settings may differ. If you don’t find the item you need, use the settings search.

What to do if Runtime loads the processor or memory

If a process com.android.art constantly consumes a lot of resources, this may be a sign:

• 📥 Application installations/updates (ART compiles their code).
• 🦠 Virusmasquerading as a system process.
• 🗑️ Full cache (ART stores compiled data in /data/dalvik-cache).

Here's what you can do:

1. Clearing the ART cache

The compiled data is stored in a hidden folder /data/dalvik-cache. You can clear it through recovery. data-i="212">Turn off the phone.:

1. Turn off your phone.
2. Hold the combination of buttons to enter Recovery Mode (usually Power + Volume up).
3. Select Wipe cache partition (do not confuse c Wipe data!).
4. Restart the device.

2. Scan for viruses

Some malware is disguised as system processes. You can scan your phone using:

• 🛡️ Malwarebytes (the free version scans on demand).
• 🔍 Dr.Web Light (finds Trojans well).
• 📱 Built-in scanner in Google Play Protection (Settings → Security → Google Play Protection).

3. auto updates

If ART loads the phone after updates, limit them:

1. Open Google Play Store.
2. Tap on your profile avatar → Settings → Network → Automatic application update.
3. Select Do not update automatically or Only via Wi-Fi.

Myths and misconceptions about Runtime on Android

Around Android Runtime there are many myths. Let's look at the most common ones:

• 🚫 "Runtime is a virus!"

  No, this is an official Android component. Viruses can masquerade as it, but the process itself com.android.art is safe.

• 🔄 "It can be disabled to speed up the phone"

  Disabling ART will make the phone inoperable. All applications will stop launching.

• 📵 "Runtime eats up all the memory"

  ART does take up RAM, but that's normal. Without it, the memory would simply sit idle.

• 🛠️ "You need to clear its cache regularly"

  Clearing the ART cache helps only in rare cases (for example, after a massive application update). The rest of the time it is useless.

Another misconception is that ART only works on new smartphones. In fact, it is used on all devices with Android 5.0+, including budget models. Even if you have a 2015 phone on Android 6.0, it definitely already has ART, not Dalvik.

Some "optimizers" (for example, Clean Master or DU Speed Booster) offer to "clean Runtime" to speed up your phone. Don't believe it! These apps often delete useful data, which only worsens performance.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Runtime on Android

adb shell dumpsys meminfo com.android.art