Google Play's Target API level requirements for 2023

As every year, Google Play announced in March 2023 the updated target API level requirements that developers will have to meet in 2023 in order to publish a new app or an app update in the Play store. The target API level corresponds to the targetSdkVersion specified in an app's manifest file.

Configuring your app to target a recent API level ensures that users can benefit from significant security, privacy, and performance improvements introduced in every new Android version, while still allowing your app to run on older Android versions (down to the minSdkVersion). Targeting a recent API level also allows your app to take advantage of the platform's latest features to delight your users.

Target API level requirements for 2023

To help make Target API level deadlines clearer, Google are unifying the dates to August 31 every year.

Starting August 31, 2023:

New apps and app updates must target API level 33 (Android 13) to be submitted to Google Play, hence within one year from the release of Android 13 (Wear OS must target API 30).

Note : Permanently private apps that are restricted to users in a specific organization and intended for internal distribution only are exempted from these requirements.

Existing apps must target API level 31 (Android 12) or above to remain discoverable by all users on Google Play, hence within two years from the release of Android 12.

This new requirement, which applies to existing apps that aren’t updated, was introduced in 2022 to protect users from installing apps that may not have the latest privacy and security features.

Hence as of August 31, 2023 (two years after Android 12 release), if your app has not been updated for a long time and is still targeting API level 30 (Android 11) or below, it will not be available to new users with a device running an Android OS version higher than your apps’ target API:

• apps targeting API level 30 (Android 11) will only be available to new users whose device run Android 11 or lower -> not available on Android 12, 13, 14 ...
• apps targeting API level 29 (Android 10) will only be available to new users whose device run Android 10 or lower -> not available on Android 11, 12, 13, 14 ...
• Etc...

Existing users who have previously installed your app from Google Play will continue to be able to find, re-install, and use the app on any Android OS version that the app supports. They will still have access to your app even if they move to a new Android device.

Developers will be able to request an extension to November 1, 2023 if they need more time to update their app. An app's extension form will be made available later this year to continue getting distributed to all users on Google Play until November 1, 2023. Please contact OMA team in this case.

Note : apps that target automotive or wearables form factors and are bundled within the same package are exempted from this reduction in app discoverability. 

Migrating to target API level 33

When migrating your app to target API level 33, pay attention to the behavior changes included in Android 13 that may affect your app.

As you update the target API level for your app, consider adopting recent platform features to modernize your app and delight your users.

Also make sure that your third-party SDK dependencies support API 33 and verify any restrictions that may exist in the version of the Android Support Library that you're using.

Definitions

New app	An app that is not yet published in the Play Store (i.e., a brand new app).
App update	A new version of your app that you’re submitting for review to replace your existing app in the Play Store.
Existing app	An app that is published in the Play Store.

Summary of Requirements

Android OS version	When are new app and app update submissions required to target this API level?
	New apps	App updates
Android 13 (API level 33)	August 31, 2023	August 31, 2023
Android 12 (API level 31)	August 31, 2022	November 1, 2022

Resources

For exact timelines, read Target API level requirements for Google Play apps

For technical guidance, refer to this migration guide

April 2022 announcement : Expanding Play’s Target Level API Requirements to Strengthen User Security