Android API Levels
Android API Levels
When developing Android apps, compatibility is key. Android devices run on various versions of the operating system, each introducing new features and changes. To manage this diversity, Android uses a system called API Levels. API Levels help developers target specific versions of Android while ensuring their apps work across multiple devices.
What is Android API?
Android API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of tools and protocols provided by Google that allows developers to interact with the Android operating system. These APIs include features like camera access, location services, Bluetooth, and many more. Each Android version corresponds to a specific API Level, which identifies the capabilities and features available in that version.
Important Android API Levels
| API Level | Android Version | Code Name | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 5.0 | Lollipop | 2014 |
| 23 | 6.0 | Marshmallow | 2015 |
| 24 | 7.0 | Nougat | 2016 |
| 26 | 8.0 | Oreo | 2017 |
| 28 | 9 | Pie | 2018 |
| 29 | 10 | Android 10 | 2019 |
| 30 | 11 | Android 11 | 2020 |
| 31 | 12 | Android 12 | 2021 |
| 33 | 13 | Android 13 | 2022 |
| 34 | 14 | Android 14 | 2023 |
Steps to Enable API Levels in Android Studio
To ensure your app targets the right version of Android, follow these steps in Android Studio:
- Open your project in Android Studio.
- Navigate to File > Project Structure.
- In the Modules section, select your app module.
- Go to the Flavors tab.
- Set the Min SDK Version to define the lowest API level your app supports.
- Set the Target SDK Version to specify the API level your app is optimized for.
- Click OK to save the changes.
Choosing the right API levels ensures your app runs smoothly on a wide range of devices while using the latest Android features.
