When Google decided to shake things up with the introduction of Android 14, we knew it was time to roll up our sleeves and get to work as developers.

Welcome to our detailed guide on ‘How to Update Your App SDK to Target Android API Level 34.’ We will be showing you how to simply update your mobile app SDK to meet the latest Android API Level 34 requirements.

Here at Swiftspeed, we are continuously striving to enhance our platform’s capabilities. In line with this, our recent quarterly updates have been purposefully prepared to ensure that apps developed using our app builder platform meet the criteria for Android API Level 34, so if your app is developed with Swiftspeed, you do not have to bother about this update, simply regenerate a new AAB file in your app editor dashboard and resubmit on your mobile app store.

Google said they will remove apps that do not meet at least the minimum of Android API Level 33; you can read more on this here. By updating your SDK to API Level 34, you will meet the minimum requirement and, in fact, surpass it.

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API Level 34: What You Need to Know

The game has changed folks. New apps are now required to target Android 14 (API level 34) or higher. The only exception to this rule is for Wear OS apps, which can target anywhere from Android 11 (API level 30) to Android 13 (API level 33). For existing apps, the minimum target has been set at API level 33. Failing to meet these requirements could result in your app becoming unavailable to users on devices running an Android OS higher than your app’s target API level. So, it’s crucial to get on board with these changes.

How to Update Your SDK and App To Target Android API Level 34

With Google’s recent release of Android 14, updating your app to target API level 34 might be a great choice; here are the simple steps to update your app API Level.

Updating Android SDK via Android Studio

1. Open Android Studio: Launch Android Studio and open the mobile project you wish to update. This should be an app you have already uploaded on Google Play or a new one you intend to upload later.
2. Navigate to SDK Manager: Click on Tools in the menu bar and select SDK Manager.
3. SDK Platforms Tab: Under the SDK Platforms tab, you’ll find a list of available API levels. Check the box next to Android 13 (API level 34).
4. Apply and Install: Click on Apply and then OK to install the selected API level.
5. Update build.gradle: Open your build.gradle (Module: app) file and update the compileSdkVersion and targetSdkVersion to 34.
6. Sync Project: After updating the build.gradle file, click on Sync Now at the top of Android Studio to sync your project with the updated gradle files.

Manually Updating Android SDK

1. Download SDK: Visit the Android developer website and download the SDK package for API level 34.
2. Extract Files: Extract the downloaded SDK package to a location of your choice.
3. Set Environment Variable: Add the path of the extracted SDK to your system’s PATH environment variable.
4. Update Project Settings: In your project settings, update the SDK location to the path where you extracted the new SDK.
5. Update build.gradle: Just like in the Android Studio method, update your compileSdkVersion and targetSdkVersion to 34 in your build.gradle file.
6. Rebuild Project: Finally, rebuild your project to apply the changes.

The Importance of Android API Level Compliance

Compliance goes beyond trending terminology in mobile app development. To ensure the success of your app, it’s essential to ensure you are compliant with minimum API level requirements and other Google Play guidelines. By targeting the latest Android API level, your app gains access to the most recent features, enhancements, and even better compatibility . This not only elevates user experience but also significantly minimizes the risk of app malfunctions.

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The Risks of Non-Compliance with Android API Level

Ignoring API-level compliance isn’t an option if you’re serious about your app’s success. Practically, apps that are not compliant may be delisted or totally removed from the Google Play Store, severely limiting their reach and potential for downloads, and trust me, that’s bad for business, especially if your mobile application is a source of income for you as an individual developer or a company.

Even if your app remains listed, it may suffer from reduced visibility in search results, impacting your app’s discoverability. In worst-case scenarios, non-compliance could expose your app to security vulnerabilities, putting your users’ data at risk.

The Role of Testing in API Compliance

Calm down; before you rush to update your app’s Android API level, remember that thorough testing is crucial. Updating the API level can introduce new behaviors or break existing functionalities; in fact, this is typical of any software update.

Therefore, it’s essential to test your app rigorously on both emulators and actual devices running Android 14. This ensures that your app not only complies with the new Android API level but also provides a seamless user experience

Swiftspeed: Best Android App Builder Platform (Automated Updates)

When it comes to building Android apps, Swiftspeed stands unrivaled as the best Android App Builder platform out there. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or someone who can’t write a single line of code, Our no-code app builder has got you covered.

With Swiftspeed Appcreator, you can build custom mobile applications with ready-made or custom app templates and sophisticated mobile app features without writing a single line of code, and the best part? It’s absolutely free.

But that’s not all. One of the standout features of Swiftspeed is the ease with which you can update your app’s API level. We’re always on top of Google’s latest updates, rolling out new SDK versions as soon as they’re available.

For our users, this means zero headaches; the new API level is automatically installed for all apps created on our platform; all you have to do is log in to our app builder editor, regenerate your app APK/AAB file, and re-upload to Google Play.

It’s that simple. With Swiftspeed, you’re not just building an app; you’re formulating an experience, all while staying ahead of the SDK release curve.

Our platform is built to ease the complexities of mobile app development, including API-level updates. With our comprehensive guides and community support, you can ensure that your app remains compliant, secure, and up-to-date.

Swiftspeed App Builder Key Improvements and Bug Fixes for the Year 2024

Android-Specific Updates

• APPS > ANDROID: The target SDK has been increased to level 34 to align with Google’s new requirements.

Caching Enhancements

• APPS > CACHING: We’ve optimized the application cache to pre-load certain parts after a cache clears, ensuring faster app load times.

Debug and Validation Features

• DEBUG FEATURE > FORM V2: You can now set the step/increment to 0 to disable validation.
• FEATURE > AUDIO: The remote media URI validator has been improved for better performance.

Session Management

• SESSIONS: The Redis session option has been removed due to compatibility issues with the latest updates. MySQL is now the enforced session management system, and it’s more efficient than ever.

Mobile-E-Commerce and Layout Fixes

• FEATURES > M-COMMERCE: We’ve fixed the order options pricing display on PDFs.
• APP > CSS > LAYOUT 18 and GENERAL: Various CSS position issues on Android devices and title overlapping issues in landscape mode have been resolved. We also re-add the woo-commerce app builder feature reintegration.

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Push Notification Migration

Push notifications have been migrated to OneSignal for a more efficient and cost-effective experience. You can set it up using this article.

How to Update Your App to target new android API level

To update your app to the latest version and comply with Google’s new API-level requirements, log in to your dashboard. Navigate to the ‘Download Your App Tab’ and scroll down to find the options for generating your APK for Android and source code for Apple iPhones.

At Swiftspeed, we understand the complexities of app development and the challenges of constantly evolving Android API-level requirements. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with the tools and resources you need to stay ahead. Our platform is designed to make these transitions as seamless as possible, allowing you to focus on what you do best—creating amazing apps.