Google has decided to tighten its policy for publishing applications on its Play Store, in order to better protect its users. Thus, the publisher no longer wants developers to use old Android APIs.
These function libraries evolve, in fact, with each new version of the mobile operating system and improve not only the use of the OS, but also security and privacy, the last point on which Google puts much more emphasis. accent for about two years.
Using API monitoring can therefore present a risk, and Google will clean up from November 1 by introducing a new rule. It concerns applications that use APIs corresponding to a version of Android that is more than two years old.
From November 1, they must have an API level corresponding to Android 11 (level 30) or Android 12 (level 31). If they do not meet these criteria, they will no longer be visible on the Play Store, with some exceptions.
Thus, users who have already installed a standby app will be able to continue to see it on the Play Store, to possibly be able to reinstall it if necessary. This will also be the case for owners of mobile devices that use an old version of Android.
In short, the rule will mainly concern users who use the latest version of Google’s operating system. They will therefore no longer be able to see the old apps on the Play Store.
One year delay for new apps
This new rule complements those already implemented by Google since Android 9.0. For new apps, the API level must be no more than one year old to be accepted on the Play Store, taking into account the date of August 1st, as shown in the diagram below.
Currently, developers can still offer apps with an API level corresponding to Android 11. But from August 1, they will have to stick to Android 12.
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The editor sets the same duration of one year for the updates, but gives a little more time to the developers. Indeed, they have until November 1 to make the necessary changes, against August 1 for new applications.
Finally, Google offers help to perform a migration and reach the API level necessary for visibility on the Play Store.
In any case, the Mountain View giant requires developers to use recent APIs to ensure an optimal level of security for Android users. Granted, you can bypass this by installing APKs outside of the Play Store, but that will be done at your own risk.
Source : Google