Every new Android version introduces changes that enhance the user experience, security, and performance of the Android platform overall. Each app specifies a targetSdkVersion
(also known as the target API level) in the manifest file. The target API level indicates how your app is meant to run on different Android versions.
Configuring your app to target a recent API level ensures that users benefit from security, privacy, and performance improvements, while still allowing an app to run on older Android versions (down to the specified minSdkVersion
).
To provide Android and Google Play users with a safe experience, Google Play requires all apps to meet target API level requirements listed below.
Exceptions to these requirements include:
- Permanently private apps that are restricted to users in a specific organization and intended for internal distribution only.
- For app discoverability only, apps that target automotive or wearables form factors and are bundled within the same package.
Definitions
New app | An app that is not yet published on Google Play (i.e., a brand new app). |
Existing app | An app that is published on Google Play. |
App update | A new version of the app that you’re submitting for review to replace your existing app. |
App update requirements
Android OS version (API level) |
When are app submissions required to target this API level? | |
New app | App update* | |
Android 13 (API level 33) |
August 1, 2023 |
November 1, 2023 |
Android 12 (API level 31) |
August 1, 2022 |
November 1, 2022 |
*To help ease the transition for developers, we give developers more time for updates to their existing apps.
Tip: For technical guidance on how to change your app’s target API level to meet these requirements, refer to the migration guide.
Wear OS app requirements
Android OS version |
When are Wear OS app submissions required to target this API level? | |
New app | App updates* | |
Android 11 (API level 30) |
August 1, 2022 |
November 1, 2022 |
*To help ease the transition for developers, we give developers more time for updates to their existing apps.
App discoverability requirements
Existing apps must target API level 30 or above by November 1, 2022. Otherwise, they will stop being discoverable to all Google Play users whose devices run Android OS versions newer than your app’s target API level, as your app wasn’t built to meet the safety and quality standard that these users expect from newer Android OS versions.
What to do to comply
New apps |
When you publish a new app, you must target API 31 or above. |
Existing apps |
If your existing app’s target API level is 30 or above, then your app is compliant with this policy. If your existing app’s target is below API 30, it will stop being discoverable to all Google Play users whose devices run Android OS versions newer than your apps’ target API levels, as your app wasn’t built to meet the safety and quality standard that these users expect from newer Android OS versions.
When you update your app, you must target API 31 or above. |
Frequently asked questions
For apps targeting API 29 or below
I have a live app on Google Play that targets API 29 or lower, that I do not plan to update. What are my options?
If you want to continue to serve this app to existing users, you do not need to do anything. However, your app will receive reduced distribution starting November 1 because it targets an older API level. It will be available only for devices running API level 29 or older. To help ease the transition, we are delaying the enforcement deadline for app discoverability from November 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023.
If you want to continue being discoverable by all users on Google Play, then you will need to update your app to a newer target API. You can update your app at any time. If you plan to update your app to a newer target API and need more time, you may request an extension to continue distributing to all Google Play users until May 1, 2023. By May 1, 2023, your app must meet this target API level requirement, otherwise it will stop being discoverable to all Google Play users whose devices run Android OS versions newer than your app’s target API level.
If you want to stop serving your app to new users even on older devices, you can unpublish your app.Where can I find the extension form to continue distributing to all Google Play users until May 1, 2023?
I have apps that I no longer want published on Google Play. What can I do?
How will my users who already downloaded my app previously be impacted?
Will this update impact app downloads?
What will the user experience be if a user on a newer device visits a deep link to the app store page, but the app is targeting API 29 or lower?
Are there any exceptions for existing apps targeting API 29 or below?
Yes! Exceptions only:
- Permanently private apps that are restricted to users in a specific organization and intended for internal distribution only.
- For app discoverability only, apps that target automotive or wearables form factors and are bundled within the same package.