Google has now updated its API level requirements for the app updates submitted on Google Play. All the apps and updates are now required to target at least Android 10 or above.
Starting today, all the apps and updates should target the API level 29, i.e. Android 10 or higher. This is similar to the changes made during the last year soon after the launch of the Android 10 OS.
Moreover, since 2017, Google has been requiring app developers to target new API levels. So, after the launch of the Android 11 OS, it was meant to be.
To recall, Google introduced the Android 11 OS back in September. And soon, a few OEMs, apart from Google Pixel, picked up the Android 11 updates.
Samsung has also been testing the One UI 3.0 based on Android 11 for a week now. It is expected that the Android 11 based One UI 3.0 will be pushed for the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 in the first week of November. For that, we will have to wait and watch.
Android 10’s distribution has also grown significantly. OEMs have shown bigger interest in rolling out Android 10 OS to their devices than any other previous versions of the OS.
Notably, the growth rate is so steady that over 100 million devices in just 5 months post-launch are running the Android 10 OS. Besides, as of April 2020, around 8.2% of Google certified devices are running Android 10.
But we expect this number to significantly go up as during the last few months, as more devices were launched with Android 10 OS out of the box.
New APIs in Android 10 makes it essential for app developers to target new API
Well, we are well aware of all the new features and enhancements that Android 10 brought in for the devices. In fact, OEMs also took advantage of these newer APIs and included some features in their own custom UI.
The reason for the presence of new APIs in Android 10 makes it very essential for app developers to submit apps and updates to Google Play targetting API level 29.
Some of the important APIs of Android 10 include improved security and privacy features, foldable devices support, support for 5G, support for Dark Theme, etc.
So, it is mandatory for the app developers to target Android 10 API. As there is a risk of Google abandoning their software. Which would ultimately remove the apps from Play Store.
Besides, in this way, Google is encouraging the developers to adopt new APIs. This would eventually provide the end-users with an improved user experience. Moreover, OEMs have also understood the importance of regular firmware updates for selling their products.
The post Google Updates API Level Requirements, Apps To Target Android 10 API & Above appeared first on Android Headlines.

Source: ndroidheadlines.com