Google continues to push Android developers to use the latest features of the API. Last November, all apps sent to the store had to target Android 8.0 Oreo or later, which means that they should support runtime permissions and other changes to the APIs. As expected, Google is currently strengthening the requirements.

As of August 2019, probably around the time of the release of Android Q, all new apps will need to be designed to target Android 9 Pie (API level 28). In other words, applications can still support the minimal version of Android that they wish – even to get back to Android 1.0 – but they will also have to be designed for Android Pie. In November, all application updates will also have to target Pie. Applications that are not updated will not be affected.

Google Play Protect is also starting to warn users when they are trying to install outdated apps outside the Play Store. In August, users will receive warnings when they attempt to install an application not designed for Android 8.0 Oreo (API level 26) or higher. In November, this will be extended to update existing applications.

As Google has already indicated, these requirements will increase each year. For example, Google will probably ask applications to target Android Q from August 2020.