If you need more time to get ready for this change, you can request an extension to November 1, 2023. You’ll be able to access the form to request an extension through the Play Console later this year.
Starting August 31, 2023:
New apps and app updates must target API level 33 (Android 13) to be submitted to Google Play. (Wear OS apps must target API level 30 [Android 11])
Existing apps must target API level 31 or above to be discoverable by all users on Google Play. Apps that target API level 30 or below will only be discoverable on devices running Android versions the same or lower than your apps’ target API level. (Wear OS apps must target API level 29 or below to remain discoverable.)
Previously, new apps had to target current_release-1 by Aug. 1 of the current year, while app updates had to target current_release-1 by Nov. 1. Now those two dates are unified as well as Google’s new app discoverability requirement.
The app discoverability requirement was supposed to go into effect on Nov. 1st of last year but got delayed to Jan. 31 of this year. Now it’s starting Aug. 31 of this year, but some users already report they’re unable to see apps targeting older versions.
In case you missed it, Google announced this change in an email sent to developers on Google Play yesterday. More details and a FAQ can be found in this support post.
