targetSdkVersion

targetSdkVersion is a setting used in Android app development to indicate the API level against which the application has been tested and is expected to operate. It is typically declared in the app’s manifest or build configuration and, together with minSdkVersion, guides how the system applies platform behavior changes.

The targetSdkVersion informs the Android runtime which compatibility modes to enable for the app. When an app runs on a device with a newer API level than its target, the system may apply certain legacy behaviors to preserve compatibility. Conversely, setting a high targetSdkVersion signals that the app is prepared for newer platform features and behavior changes, allowing the system to enable newer restrictions and optimizations.

Practical implications include differences in permission handling and background behavior. For example, apps with targetSdkVersion less than 23 are subject to the older install-time permission model, while those targeting API 23 or higher are required to request dangerous permissions at runtime. Other platform changes, such as restrictions introduced for background services or notification handling in newer Android versions, may also depend on the targetSdkVersion being aligned with the current API level.

Setting and updating targetSdkVersion is distinct from minSdkVersion, which specifies the oldest Android version the app supports. Developers should regularly update targetSdkVersion to the latest stable API level and thoroughly test the app to ensure compatibility and to take advantage of newer platform optimizations.