Your app currently targets API level 34 and must target at least API level 36

Updated 2026-10-10

Play Console shows:

Your app currently targets API level 34 and must target at least API level 36 to ensure that it is built on the latest APIs optimized for security and performance.

The rule in 2026. Since 31 August 2026, new apps and app updates must target Android 16 (API level 36). Existing apps must target at least Android 15 (API level 35) to stay available to new users on newer Android versions. Apps that requested an extension have until 1 November 2026.

How to fix it in React Native. Set targetSdkVersion = 36 and compileSdkVersion = 36 in android/build.gradle (Expo: use the SDK that targets it, or expo-build-properties). Then check what changes with each API level you skip:

Target 31: components with an intent filter need android:exported, or the build fails (details).
Target 34: foreground services must declare their type, or the app crashes when one starts (details).
Target 35: the app is drawn edge-to-edge on Android 15, so screens using React Native's own SafeAreaView slide under the status bar (details).

Check your app first. npx nativekeel reports the target SDK problem and each of these follow-on issues, and its upgrade plan orders them.

Check your whole app in one command: npx nativekeel
Free, runs locally (your code is not uploaded), no account. It reports this and 80 other upgrade, store, crash and security problems.

Sources

Google Play target API level requirements