Google requiring API 36 / Android 16 update for new developer Apps

I submitted my App to Google play store and got the following message - We've detected that your app, 'Photo_Log', is targeting an old version of Android. To provide users with a safe and secure experience, Google Play requires all apps to meet target API level requirements before Aug 31, 2026.” I understand current API level is API 36 / Android 16

Is this being worked on at MIT? is there a projected release date?

A timely response would be appreciated.

4 Likes

I'm like this too.

We have developed a tool for this every-year requirement headache. Import .aab into this tool set MinSDK to 21(or as per your need) & Target SDK to 36, Generate .aab. You will get your compliant SDK in few seconds, then release app/update on Google Play. It's FREE for 1 day so you don't need to pay anything​:+1:

When to use this tool?
You can use our tool in a safe way if-
:white_check_mark: The app already works correctly on Android 16 (If you don’t see any errors in logcat for your app by testing on Android 16). AND
:white_check_mark: Only the manifest values (Target SDK, Min SDK, permissions, etc.) needs update OR
:white_check_mark: The builder App Inventor is behind Google’s yearly Play Store deadline OR
:white_check_mark: The developer has only an APK or AAB and needs a quick manifest update without recompiling (can’t access builder, lost AIA).

Import APK into this tool

Supports both APK and AAB :blush:

1 Like

Ohh.

1 Like

Don't panic
These are only warnings
Every year this is the same procedure
Just be patient until App Inventor targets SDK 36

Also you do NOT need a tool to manually increase the target sdk in the manifest. Just be patient and wait. No tool is able to adjust the behavioral changes, which are also required to adjust every year.

See also https://developer.android.com/about/versions/16/behavior-changes-16 and for next year https://developer.android.com/about/versions/17/behavior-changes-17

Taifun

7 Likes

Bonjour, Oui moi aussi je suis dans le même cas, (et pareil pour play billing) , donc interressé pour la nouvelle version. Merci

Thank you, I look forward to it

Hello MIT App Inventor team,

I would like to request that MIT App Inventor be updated to support Android API level 36 as soon as possible.

Google Play now requires new app updates to be compatible with API level 36. Currently, MIT App Inventor only supports API level 35, which means that many developers—myself included—will soon be unable to publish updates for our existing apps on Google Play.

The deadline is August 31, 2026, so we would greatly appreciate it if support for API level 36 could be added before that date.

Many of us rely on MIT App Inventor for our apps, and keeping up with Google's API requirements is essential for maintaining them.

Could the MIT App Inventor team please share:

Whether support for API level 36 is already in development.
An estimated release timeline.
Any temporary workarounds, if available.
We appreciate all your hard work and continued support. We hope this update can be prioritized so that the MIT App Inventor community can continue publishing app updates without interruption.

Please read the above:

i need help with this

Please read the whole topic. Searching always helps before asking a questions. This has been asked many times.

Taifun

연장 요청하세요~ 연장 요청하면 11월1일 이전까지 업그레이드 하면 됩니다.

Message from Google.

The app must target Android 16 (API level 36) or higher

And please, next time please search before asking. The answer was just 5 topics below yours.

Thank you very much. I Trier but the next time I will try harder.