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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-06-04T22:52:00+00:00

Can you explain to me how I should determine the correct value for targetSdkLevel

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Can you explain to me how I should determine the correct value for targetSdkLevel?

Let’s say I want to build an app that works on all the versions from android 2.3.7 to 4.0.3, how should I set minSdkLevel and targetSdkLevel?

The former should match the API level of android 2.3.7 and the latter should match the API level of 4.0.3?

Then, when I develop my app, should I use only Methods/classes available in the oldest supported sdk level?

When I compile the app does it compile for 2.3.7 or 4.0.3?

I can not understand the purpose of targetSdkLevel, since the apk can not be compiled for the newer version specified in this tag, otherwise it could not work on versions down to the one specified by minSdkLevel… Why should I not set targetSdkLevel to the latest available level?

I’ve read also the official info about uses-sdk Manifest tag, but I still do not understand.. Can you help me clarifying this topic?

EDIT: thanks to all of you and excuse me for the duplicate question. I’ve read this Blog post and it really helped me. Great answers from all of you.

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    You should only use methods/classes available in the SDK specified by minSdkLevel, or otherwise wrap them with a proper check for the runtime API version.

    Your application will be compiled with the SDK specified in the project itself, not by the one specified by either minSdkLevel nor targetSdkLevel.

    You should set targetSdkLevel to the highest level API that you have tested the application with. This is because compatilibity behavior will be enabled/disabled for your application based on this value.

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