Google's yearly target-API bump reaches its enforcement date today. Any new app or app update submitted to Google Play from August 31 must target API level 36 (Android 16) or higher to be accepted, with lower bars for a few form factors: Wear OS and Android Automotive stay at API 35, while Android TV and Android XR sit at API 34. Existing published apps are held to a slightly older line — they need to target at least API 35 to remain discoverable and installable on devices running a newer OS than the app targets; fall below that and the app only surfaces on devices at or under its own target level. Users who already have an app installed keep it and can re-install regardless. The deadline has been on the calendar since spring, so most actively maintained apps have already moved. For the stragglers, Google offers a self-service extension to November 1 for teams that need more runway to finish a migration — worth taking rather than shipping a rushed API-36 build, since Android 16's behavioral changes (edge-to-edge enforcement, stricter foreground-service and intent handling) can surface real regressions. The practical read: if your next release isn't compiling against SDK 36, either finish that work or file the extension before you try to push an update.