Description
Here we go again, since #17287 was closed.
Now I know that this isn't a real bug report. It is not even a real feature request. But I needed to post this somewhere and none of the other channels seemed appropriate.
On 19 December Google announced the following:
In the second half of 2018, Play will require that new apps and app updates target a recent Android API level. This will be required for new apps in August 2018, and for updates to existing apps in November 2018. This is to ensure apps are built on the latest APIs optimized for security and performance.
source: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2017/12/improving-app-security-and-performance.html
More specifically:
- August 2018: New apps required to target API level 26 (Android 8.0) or higher.
- November 2018: Updates to existing apps required to target API level 26 or higher.
- 2019 onwards: Each year the targetSdkVersion requirement will advance. Within one year following each Android dessert release, new apps and app updates will need to target the corresponding API level or higher.
I believe this is of great importance for React Native since the current default targetSdkVersion seems to be 22. And thus I can only deduce that React Native is not ready for a higher Android API Level. Yes, people have been using React Native using higher API levels but it seems that it's not stable. Time to bump the API Level? Or make sure that everything will work on 26?
TL;DR: You will not be able to release a stable React Native application through the Play Store if you use the default targetSdkVersion starting August 2018. Be ready.