Managing dependencies in Android development can feel like juggling flaming torches—one wrong move, and your build breaks. If you’re tired of mismatched library versions, build errors, and long Gradle files, Android BOM might be the solution you didn’t know you needed.

In this guide, we’ll break down what Android BOM is, why it matters in 2025, and how you can start using it to clean up your project and avoid versioning headaches.

What Is Android BOM?

BOM stands for Bill of Materials. It’s a feature in Gradle (and supported by Maven too) that lets you manage versions of multiple libraries from a single source.

In the Android world, an Android BOM is typically published by a library maintainer (like Google for Jetpack Compose or Firebase) and defines the versioning for all related artifacts under the hood.

Instead of specifying a version number for each dependency manually, you just import the BOM, and it ensures all components stay in sync.

Why Use Android BOM in 2025?

In 2025, modern Android apps rely on a stack of complex, interconnected libraries. Manually managing versions is error-prone and inefficient.

Here’s why Android BOM is a must-have:

Simplifies Dependency Management

No more version conflicts or mismatched components.

Reduces Boilerplate

You can skip version numbers for each Firebase or Jetpack Compose module.

Keeps Everything in Sync

The BOM ensures all included libraries are compatible with each other.

Easier Upgrades

Want to update Firebase? Just bump the BOM version.

How Does It Work?

Here’s what a typical implementation looks like in your build.gradle.kts or build.gradle file:

Without Android BOM (manual versioning):

dependencies {
    implementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui:1.6.1")
    implementation("androidx.compose.material:material:1.6.1")
    implementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui-tooling-preview:1.6.1")
}

Every library needs a version. If you upgrade, you need to change them all manually.

With Android BOM (simplified and synced):

dependencies {
    implementation(platform("androidx.compose:compose-bom:2025.01.00"))
    
    implementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui")
    implementation("androidx.compose.material:material")
    implementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui-tooling-preview")
}

Only the BOM needs a version. The other libraries inherit it automatically. Clean and safe.

Where Can You Use Android BOM?

Android BOM is commonly used with:

• Jetpack Compose
• Firebase (via com.google.firebase:firebase-bom)
• Ktor (JetBrains’ Kotlin server-client library)
• Any library group that publishes a BOM

It works in both Gradle Kotlin DSL and Groovy.

Each is maintained by the respective teams and updated regularly.

BOM and Version Catalogs

Gradle’s Version Catalogs work perfectly with BOMs. Define the BOM in your libs.versions.toml file:

[versions]
compose-bom = "2025.05.00"

[libraries]
androidx-compose-bom = { group = "androidx.compose", name = "compose-bom", version.ref = "compose-bom" }
ui = { group = "androidx.compose.ui", name = "ui" }

And in your build.gradle.kts:

implementation (platform(libs.androidx.compose.bom))
implementation (libs.ui)

This keeps your dependency management even more organized.

Best Practices When Using Android BOM

• Stick to one BOM per group — Don’t mix Firebase and Compose BOMs in a single platform declaration. You can have multiple BOMs, but declare them separately.
• Keep BOM versions updated — Stay on top of version updates for stability and security.
• Avoid adding versions to individual artifacts if the BOM already manages them.

What If a Library Doesn’t Support BOM?

Some third-party libraries might not publish a BOM. In that case, you’ll still have to manage versions manually. But you can combine both approaches — use BOM for libraries that support it and pin versions for others.

Overriding BOM Versions

Sometimes, you might need a specific library version that’s newer (or older) than what the BOM provides. You can override it by specifying the version directly:

implementation (platform("androidx.compose:compose-bom:2025.05.00"))
implementation ("androidx.compose.material3:material3:1.2.0-alpha09") // Overrides BOM

Be cautious: overriding can break compatibility guarantees, so only do this if necessary.

Common Questions About Android BOM

Does the BOM automatically add all libraries to my app?

No. You still need to declare each library you want to use. The BOM just manages their versions.

Can I use BOM for alpha or beta releases?

Yes! There are alpha, beta, and stable BOMs available. Just add -alpha or -beta to the BOM artifact name:

implementation (platform("androidx.compose:compose-bom-alpha:2025.05.00"))

Am I forced to use BOM?

No, but it’s highly recommended for easier and safer dependency management.

Does BOM increase build time?

Actually, the opposite. Because it simplifies dependency resolution, it can help Gradle builds run more efficiently.

Conclusion

If you’re building Android apps in 2025, using Android BOM isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. It streamlines dependency management, prevents version mismatches, and keeps your codebase cleaner and safer.

Whether you’re working on a small app or a complex multi-module project, adopting Android BOM early will save you time and frustration.