Back in 2017, Google set out to improve Android apps via mandating they goal a particular API level and take advantage of the most recent platform features. The rolling every year mandate changed into installed while Google first released this initiative. With new and up-to-date programs concentrated on Android eight.0 as of November, Google is detailing the Pie guide requirement set for later this yr. Starting this August, new apps submitted to the Play Store are required to target API degrees 28 and above. By November, updates to existing packages can even aid Android nine.
Current apps in the shop that do not acquire updates are unaffected. Google notes that enforcement of this rule has ended in “Android customers now experience[ing] extra apps the use of modern-day APIs than ever before.” Throughout 2018, over 150,000 programs introduced support for runtime permissions and different functions brought with Oreo. Besides Google Play, Chinese app stores like Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi, Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent require developers at the least goal API level 26 in 2019. However, Google is taking different steps to protect Android.
Especially whilst customers set up by using sideloading. The company notes that over 95% of adware detected outdoor the Play Store goals API level 22 or lower to avoid runtime permissions. August 2019: New apps will obtain warnings at some setup point if they do not now goal API stage 26 or higher. November 2019: New variations of present apps will acquire warnings all through set up if they do now not target API degree 26 or better. 2020 onwards: The target API degree requirement will boost yearly.
