Google Enforces Android 15 Targeting for New Apps: A Push for Security and Modernization in 2025

Tightening the Reins on App Development In a strategic move to bolster app security, performance, and user privacy, Google has mandated that all new apps and updates submitted to the Google Play Store must target Android 15 (API level 35) starting August 31, 2025. This policy update, announced in mid-July 2025, requires developers to align with the latest OS version to ensure compatibility with evolving device capabilities and to mitigate vulnerabilities in outdated codebases. Existing apps, meanwhile, must target at least Android 14 (API level 34) to remain discoverable and installable for users on newer Android versions. As the mobile ecosystem accelerates toward AI-driven features and enhanced privacy controls, this mandate signals Google's commitment to a more robust, future-proof Android landscape, potentially weeding out legacy applications while challenging developers to innovate. Android 15, officially launched on October 15, 2024, for Pixel devices and now powering 28.5% of Android devices as...