Play Store Says That My App Must Have Targetsdk At Least 28. What If I Don't?

While I was uploading an update for my app on google PlayStore, it showed a warning that said that my app must have target sdk >= 28 until August. My app uses target sdk = 27 Qu

Solution 1:

Google set new requirements since this year, an abstract of the new policy:

When you upload an APK, it needs to meet Google Play’s target API level requirements. Starting August 1, 2019, Google Play requires that new apps target at least Android 9.0 (API level 28), and that app updates target Android 9.0 from November 1, 2019. Until these dates, new apps and app updates must target at least Android 8.0 (API level 26).

https://developer.android.com/distribute/best-practices/develop/64-bit

Also, you must have a arm64 for all new upgrades, more info:

Starting August 1, 2019, your apps published on Google Play will need to support 64-bit architectures. 64-bit CPUs deliver faster, richer experiences for your users. Adding a 64-bit version of your app provides performance improvements, makes way for future innovation, and sets you up for devices with 64-bit-only hardware.

https://developer.android.com/distribute/best-practices/develop/target-sdk

Regarding, the library you can try recompiling it if you have the code or contact the developer.

Update:

I got this answer today (10/07/2019 at 11:37) from Google Directly:

To provide both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, you can either: have support for both in the same APK or app bundle; or you can have a release with multiple APKs where 1 APK supports 32-bit and another supports 64-bit.

From August 1, 2021 apps that do not have a 64-bit version availablewill no longer be served to users with 64-bit compatible devices.Please note, 32-bit devices will still be served 32-bit compatibleversions. We are not changing our policies on serving 32-bit releases.

Please note that this requirement does not apply to:

APKs or app bundles explicitly targeting Wear OS or Android TV, which are form factors that do not currently support 64-bit code.

APKs or app bundles that are not distributed to devices running Android 9 Pie or later.

To begin updating your apps to meet these new requirements we highly recommend reading through the relevant documents in the Android Developer Center: https://developer.android.com/distribute/best-practices/develop/64-bit

For developers using Android NDK, please check the following information on APIs for developing native code:

https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/stable_apis

Please check our blog for updates on this announcement:

https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2019/01/get-your-apps-ready-for-64-bit.html

Solution 2:

You won't be able to upload a new version of the app after the deadline that doesn't follow the requirements. Existing versions of the app won't be affected (at least in the immediate future).

Solution 3:

There is no problem as such but it is good to have latest targetSdk as that is the latest sdk and will be supported by the newer devices and the user reach will be more as many people will be having devices which supports sdk Version greater than 27.

Solution 4:

First I uploaded target level 28 not accepted. I changed it to 29 and uploaded successfull. Than as an update, I uploaded target level 28, and it is accepted (in review now).

I guess, new apk should be 29 after August but until the November, level 28 is accepted as update.