Request to update apps with minimum target SDK version 23

Seller Portal
1

Can anyone tell me if I misunderstood the latest Seller Portal news?

If all my apps support android SDK 23 or lower and I don’t update them within 30 days, will they all be removed from the Samsung Store?

I am still baffled by this sudden news. Samsung took a while to position itself after Google’s announcement and now it only gives us 30 days?

Google itself will enforce the minimum target SDK version 23 only for apps that have the target android SDK 34.

My apps target android SDK 32 and minimum API level 19. Will they be removed if I don’t update them?

Why not give a longer deadline or enforce this requirement for new apps or new app updates?

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It seems this is a pretty straight forward message.
I think you just need to change the setting in the store to minimum Level 24 but you can ask the seller portal for more information.

My guess is this requirement is because of upcoming Governmental regulations

Ron
Samsung Developer Relations

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Hi Ron,

I was also taken by surprise.

So does it mean that people with old phones, android users version 23 or below, will no longer have access to the Galaxy Store?

As a developer it means I will lose potential users.

Samsung usually raises the target SDK version and the minimum API level tends to be irrelevant.

Why this time the problem is the minimum API level?

Could it be that there was some translation error and actually the issue is the target SDK version and not the minimum API level?

4

There is no way to set the minimum Level in the store. The store just reads what was set in the engine that generated the apk:

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In my case, my app’s minSDKVersion is android 19 and maxSDKVersion is android 32 . In this case, will it be suspended?

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It is probably because new privacy and security regulations are going into effect.

Ron
Samsung Developer Relations

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There is no way to set the minimum Level in the store. The store just reads what was set in the engine that generated the apk:

Thanks I just do Watch faces and we could set the devices they were compatible with.

In my case, my app’s minSDKVersion is android 19 and maxSDKVersion is android 32 . In this case, will it be suspended?
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yes, you need to rebuild and update to a newer version.

Ron
Samsung Developer Relations

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Ron,

Thanks for the clarification.

And what will happen to android devices API level 23 or lower? Will they lose access to the Galaxy Store? Or will they continue to have access to published apps until September 2023?

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The old devices will probably have access and can download previous purchases (but not free content).

Ron
Samsung Developer Relations

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All right.

Thank you!