Google today announced that starting from August 2019, Android apps will need to support 64-bit chipsets. While Google added 64-bit support to Android with the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop in 2015, developers were under no compulsion to add support for them.

However, Google realises that down the line, Android devices would eventually use 64-bit chipsets and code exclusively which is why it is making this change. Thus, starting from August 2019, it would be compulsory for developers to provide 64-bit versions of their apps in addition to the 32-bit ones.

Additionally, Google is also making it compulsory for developers to use a “recent Android API level” from August 2018 in a bid to improve security and performance. Existing apps on the Play Store have until November 2018 to adhere to this norm.

• 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.

To further bolster Play Store security and Android apps, Google will also start adding a security metadata on top of each APK. This will allow the company to verify the authenticity of the app. This is a server-side change and does not require any input from developers.