Android Version Adaptation Guide

This skill provides a comprehensive checklist and solution guide for adapting Android applications to newer Android versions, ranging from Android 8.0 (Oreo) to Android 15.

🚀 Adaptation Strategy

1. •Update targetSdkVersion: Update incrementally and test.
2. •Review Changes: Check behavior changes for the specific version.
3. •Test: Test on emulators or real devices running the target version.

📱 Version-Specific Changes

Android 15 (API 35)

• •Edge-to-Edge: Enforced by default for targetSDK 35.
  • •Opt-out (Temporary): <item name="android:windowOptOutEdgeToEdgeEnforcement">true</item> in theme.
  • •Deprecated: window.statusBarColor, window.navigationBarColor.
• •Audio Focus: Restricted for background apps unless they are top-level or running a specific foreground service.
• •Screen Recording: New callback WindowManager.addScreenRecordingCallback (Requires DETECT_SCREEN_RECORDING).
• •PDFRenderer: Major improvements in API.

Android 14 (API 34)

• •Foreground Services: Must specify android:foregroundServiceType in Manifest.
  • •Types: camera, location, mediaPlayback, dataSync, microphone, phoneCall, etc.
  • •Example: <service android:name=".MyService" android:foregroundServiceType="mediaPlayback" />
• •Media Permissions: Partial access support via READ_MEDIA_VISUAL_USER_SELECTED.
• •Screen Capture: New permission DETECT_SCREEN_CAPTURE for screenshot listening.
• •JobScheduler: RUN_USER_INITIATED_JOBS permission required for user-initiated data transfers.

Android 13 (API 33)

• •Notifications: Runtime permission POST_NOTIFICATIONS is required to post notifications.
• •Media Permissions: Granular permissions replace READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE:
  • •READ_MEDIA_IMAGES
  • •READ_MEDIA_VIDEO
  • •READ_MEDIA_AUDIO
• •Wifi: NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES permission for local Wi-Fi scanning (no location needed).

Android 12 (API 31/32)

• •PendingIntent: Must specify PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE or PendingIntent.FLAG_MUTABLE.
• •Exported Components: Must explicitly set android:exported="true" or "false" for activities/services/receivers with intent filters.
• •Bluetooth: New runtime permissions BLUETOOTH_SCAN, BLUETOOTH_CONNECT, BLUETOOTH_ADVERTISE.

Android 11 (API 30)

• •Package Visibility: Apps can no longer see all installed packages. Use <queries> in Manifest to declare packages you interact with.
• •Scoped Storage: Forced enforcement. WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is deprecated.
  • •Use MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE for file manager apps (requires Google Play review).
• •Toast: Custom toasts from background blocked.
• •Status Bar: Use WindowInsets to get height instead of legacy methods.

Android 10 (API 29)

• •Scoped Storage: Introduced. Use requestLegacyExternalStorage="true" in Manifest for temporary opt-out.
• •Location: ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION required for accessing location while app is in background.
• •IMEI/Serial: No longer accessible to non-system apps. Use Android ID or GUID.

Android 9.0 (API 28)

• •Network: Cleartext (HTTP) disabled by default.
  • •Fix: Add android:usesCleartextTraffic="true" in Manifest or configure network_security_config.xml.
• •Foreground Service: Requires FOREGROUND_SERVICE permission (normal permission, auto-granted).
• •Apache HTTP: Library removed. Add <uses-library android:name="org.apache.http.legacy" android:required="false"/> to Manifest.
• •Notch Support: Use WindowInsets or DisplayCutout to handle notches.

Android 8.0 (API 26)

• •Install APK: Requires REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES permission and user authorization.
• •Notifications: Notification Channels are mandatory. All notifications must be assigned to a channel.
• •Background Execution: Strict limits on background services and implicit broadcasts.
• •Translucent Activity: Crash if fixed orientation (e.g., screenOrientation="portrait") is set on a translucent activity. Fix: remove orientation or translucency.

🛠 Common Solutions

FileProvider Configuration (Android 7.0+)

Required for sharing files (installing APKs, taking photos).

<provider
    android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider"
    android:authorities="${applicationId}.fileprovider"
    android:exported="false"
    android:grantUriPermissions="true">
    <meta-data
        android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
        android:resource="@xml/file_paths" />
</provider>

Network Security Config (Allow HTTP)

res/xml/network_security_config.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<network-security-config>
    <base-config cleartextTrafficPermitted="true" />
</network-security-config>

Checking Notification Permission (Android 13+)

if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 33) {
    if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(context, Manifest.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(activity, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS), 101)
    }
}