Every new Android version introduces changes that bring security and performance improvements as well as enhance the user experience of Android overall. Each app has a targetSdkVersion
in the manifest file (also known as the target API level) which informs how your app is 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 your app to run on older Android versions (down to the 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.
Definitions
New app | An app that is not yet published on the Play Store (for example, a brand new app). |
App update | A new version of an app that is already published on the Play Store. |
Existing app | A published app that is not receiving updates. |
Requirements
Android OS version |
When are Google Play apps required to target this API level? | ||
New apps | App updates ** | Existing apps | |
Android 12 (API level 31) |
August 1, 2022 |
November 1, 2022 |
November 1, 2023 |
Android 11 (API level 30) |
August 2, 2021 |
November 1, 2021 |
November 1, 2022 |
Tip: For technical guidance on how to change your app’s target API level to meet these requirements, refer to the migration guide.
Requirements for Wear OS apps
Android OS version |
When are Wear OS apps required to target this API level? | ||
New apps | App updates ** | Existing apps | |
Android 11 (API level 30) |
August 1, 2022 |
November 1, 2022 |
No requirement |
Android 10 (API level 29) |
No requirement |
||
Android 9 (API level 28) |
August 1, 2019 |
November 1, 2019 |
** To help ease the transition for developers, we give app updates a couple more months than new apps to meet the requirement.
Potential app impact
If your app doesn't meet the required target API level, your apps may be impacted in the following ways:
App |
Impact |
New apps |
You will not be able to publish app bundles that do not meet the target API level requirement in Play Console. |
App updates |
You will not be able to submit app bundles or APKs that do not meet the target API level requirement in Play Console. |
Existing apps |
Your app will not be available on Google Play to new users with devices running Android OS versions newer than your app’s target API level. This means that new users will not be able to discover or install your app from Google Play. Users who have previously installed your app from Google Play will continue to be able to discover, re-install, and use your app. They will still have access to your app even if they move to a new Android device. |
To help ease the transition for developers, we give app updates a couple more months than new apps to meet the requirement.
Frequently asked questions
What if I need more time to make this update for all of my existing apps?
This extension will not apply to new apps or new app updates.