And any app updates submitted that also don’t meet this requirement can’t be published on Google Play.īut the change would impact fully abandoned apps or those where the developer is still serving their users but no longer keeps up with the latest Android API updates. This should not be a significant adjustment for any active developers building for Android, as Google already requires new apps and app updates to target an Android API level within one year of the latest major Android OS version release.

In short, this means that Android users who are keeping up with the latest software or those who’ve just purchased new Android phones will no longer be able to find or download old, out-of-date apps. Specifically, Google said apps that don’t target an Android API within two years of the latest major Android release version will no longer be able to be discovered or installed by new users whose devices run Android OS versions that are higher than the apps’ target API level. The company warned Android app developers that starting on November 1, 2022, it will hide apps and block their installation to users’ devices if developers haven’t kept up with the latest Android OS releases.

Google is preparing to clear its Play Store of outdated apps.

Google app store extensions