Using state in a ViewModel helps keep UI data separate from UI controllers. This reduces unnecessary UI recompositions and keeps frame rates smooth, targeting 60fps or higher. Since ViewModels survive configuration changes, they avoid costly data reloads, saving CPU and battery. However, large or complex state objects can increase memory use, so keep state minimal and focused.
To keep UI updates fast, use observable state holders like MutableStateFlow or LiveData that emit only when data changes. Avoid heavy computations inside the ViewModel; instead, precompute or cache results. Use immutable data classes for state to simplify change detection. Also, update only the parts of the UI that need to change to reduce rendering work.
ViewModel classes add minimal size to the app bundle because they are just Kotlin classes. However, if the ViewModel holds large data or references to heavy objects, it can increase memory usage at runtime, potentially slowing startup if data loads synchronously. To keep startup fast, load data asynchronously and keep ViewModel state lightweight.
Android uses ViewModel classes from Jetpack libraries to hold UI state across configuration changes. iOS uses different patterns like ObservableObject in SwiftUI or ViewModel classes in MVVM architectures. Android ViewModels survive screen rotations automatically, while iOS developers manage state persistence differently. Also, Android ViewModels are lifecycle-aware, helping avoid memory leaks.
Using ViewModel state aligns with Android best practices and does not affect store approval directly. However, ensure your app handles state properly to avoid crashes or data loss, which can cause negative reviews. Follow Google Play policies on performance and stability. Also, avoid storing sensitive data in ViewModels without encryption, as this can violate privacy guidelines.
Likely, the ViewModel is loading large data synchronously on the main thread, blocking UI rendering. Another cause could be heavy computations inside the ViewModel during initialization. To fix this, load data asynchronously using coroutines and keep state initialization lightweight to ensure fast screen load and smooth user experience.