Android API Levels

Android API levels are numerical values assigned to different versions of the Android operating system. These API levels are used by developers to specify the minimum and target API levels for their Android apps. Each Android version corresponds to a specific API level, and these levels provide a way to ensure app compatibility and access to various features and capabilities of the Android platform.

Here are some of the key Android versions and their corresponding API levels:

1. Android 1.0 (no codename): API level 1
2. Android 1.1 (Petit Four): API level 2
3. Android 1.5 (Cupcake): API level 3
4. Android 1.6 (Donut): API level 4
5. Android 2.0/2.1 (Eclair): API levels 5 and 7
6. Android 2.2 (Froyo): API level 8
7. Android 2.3 (Gingerbread): API levels 9 and 10
8. Android 3.0/3.1/3.2 (Honeycomb): API levels 11, 12, and 13
9. Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich): API levels 14 and 15
10. Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 (Jelly Bean): API levels 16, 17, and 18
11. Android 4.4 (KitKat): API level 19
12. Android 5.0/5.1 (Lollipop): API levels 21 and 22
13. Android 6.0 (Marshmallow): API level 23
14. Android 7.0 (Nougat): API level 24
15. Android 7.1 (Nougat): API level 25
16. Android 8.0/8.1 (Oreo): API levels 26 and 27
17. Android 9 (Pie): API level 28
18. Android 10 (Q): API level 29
19. Android 11 (R): API level 30
20. Android 12 (S): API level 31

Each API level introduces new features, capabilities, and improvements to the Android platform. Developers use these API levels to set the minimum and target API levels in their app’s manifest file. Setting the minimum API level ensures that the app is compatible with devices running that version or higher, while setting the target API level indicates the version of Android for which the app is optimized.

By specifying API levels, developers can ensure that their apps work correctly on a wide range of Android devices while taking advantage of the latest platform enhancements when appropriate. Additionally, Google Play Store uses API levels to determine app compatibility with users’ devices when they download apps.