I received this email from Google play today.
I have an android custom app made in September 2017 which requires 4.1 and up -Google says it is API 19 20190.
a) What do these mean?
b) When i next update my app, will Google Play allow ?
Hello Google Play Developer,
This is a reminder that starting November 1, 2018, updates to apps and games on Google Play will be required to target Android Oreo (API level 26) or higher. After this date, the Play Console will prevent you from submitting new APKs with a targetSdkVersion less than 26.
Configuring your app to target a recent API level ensures that users benefit from significant security and performance improvements, while still allowing your app to run on older Android versions (down to the minSdkVersion).
Action required
Please ensure that your apps are configured to target at least Android 8.0 (API level 26) by November 1, 2018. For technical advice on how to change your app's target API level to meet these requirements, refer to the migration guide.
Affected apps
The apps included below have one or more APKs—in production or testing tracks—that aren't currently targeting API level 26 or higher. Apps are listed with the maximum version code and corresponding targetSdkVersion. If you have more than 20 apps that could be affected in your account, please check the Play Console for a full list.
Links in email:
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2017/12/improving-app-security-and-performance.html
Rekha
