compileSdkVersion
- can choose which version of Android SDK to compile the app with
- strongly recommended to compile with latest SDK (the app can use latest API)
- this compile SDK will not be included in the app.
- If using support library, the version should be matched with this compileSdkVersion.
minSdkVersion
- lower bound of your app (minimum version of user devices the app can be installed).
- Google Play Store uses to determine which devices the app can be installed on.
- If using support libraries, it should be higher than the version of the support libraries.
- On July 2017, minSdkVersion of all support libraries were increased to 14.
- Check DashBoard to see current distribution of all Android versions.
targetSdkVersion
- Indicates which Android version the app designed for.
- Informs that developer tested the app against target SDK version.
- If target SDK version is lower than running API version, system enables compatible behaviors to maintain the app’s forward compatibility.
Tips
compileSdkVersion = targetSdkVersion = latest Android Version
- so that the app can work on latest Android version devices.
Recommend to check latest SDK and update the app
- Set targetSdkversion and compileSdkVersion to latest version.
- In that way, you can check if there will be any error when running the app on newer version.
- You don’t need to use any new features of newer versions.