Google Play target API level 36 requirement

Who is concerned

Every team that publishes to Google Play: new apps, updates to existing apps and published apps that are no longer updated.

Permanently private apps that are restricted to users in a specific organization and intended for internal distribution only are an exception.

What changes

• New apps and app updates: target Android 16 (API level 36) or higher. Wear OS and Android Automotive OS apps: Android 15 (API level 35) or higher. Android TV and Android XR apps: Android 14 (API level 34) or higher.
• Existing mobile apps: target Android 15 (API level 35) or higher to remain available to new users on devices running an Android version higher than the app’s target API level.
• An existing app that targets a lower level is only available on devices that run the same or an older Android version than its target.
• For existing Wear OS, Android TV, Android XR and Android Automotive OS apps, read the form factor sections of the Play Console Help article: at the verification date the two official pages do not give the same threshold for existing Android TV apps.

What to do

• Check targetSdkVersion in your Gradle file or manifest. Google’s page shows where to find it.
• Read the behavior changes for each Android version between your current target and API level 36. Google lists the Android 13, 14, 15 and 16 behavior changes.
• Publish updates with targetSdkVersion 36 (35 for Wear OS and Android Automotive OS, 34 for Android TV and Android XR).
• If you needed more time, the extension to November 1, 2026 was requested with a form that impacted apps received through their Play Console notifications. That date has passed, so read your notifications for the current status.

What happens after the date

For existing apps below the threshold, Google’s wording is that they stop being available to new users on devices running a newer Android version than the app’s target API level. New apps and updates that target a lower level cannot be submitted. On the verification date the page lists no deadline for a level above 36.