If you asked Google Play for more time on the target SDK rule, that time runs out on 1 November 2026 . After that, an app update has to target Android 16 (API 36) or Play Console won't accept it.

Changing one number in build.gradle takes a minute. The work is everything Android changes for apps that target each new level, and if you are coming from 33 or 34, you skip several of them at once.

The rule

Since 31 August 2026 , new apps and app updates must target API 36 .

Apps that requested an extension have until 1 November 2026 .

Already published apps must target at least API 35 to stay available to new users on newer Android versions.

Source: Google Play target API level requirements .

How many apps are behind?

I checked 900 open-source React Native and Expo apps from GitHub with NativeKeel , reading targetSdkVersion the same way the tool does (root ext block or app/build.gradle ).…