Google Play's August 31, 2026 Deadline

If your app is on Google Play, there are two things we need to look at before August 31, 2026. One affects in-app purchases and subscriptions, and the other affects who can find your app on newer phones. Missing either doesn't take your app down immediately but it blocks you from publishing updates and limits who can install it.

1. Billing Library: version 8 required

Starting August 31, 2026, any new app or app update using Google Play's billing system must use Billing Library version 8.0.0 or later. Apps already live with an older Billing Library version keep working, but you won't be able to publish a new update after that date. Google recommends moving to version 9 directly to pick up the latest monetisation features rather than stopping at 8.

If your app doesn't sell anything through Google Play, then this doesn't apply to you.

2. Target API level: Android API 36

This is Google's annual target API level requirement, and this year's deadline is also August 31, 2026. You may see this referred to as "API level 36," "targetSdkVersion 36," or "SDK 36", which all mean the same thing:

• Existing apps must target Android 15 (API level 35) or higher to stay visible to new users on devices running a newer Android version.
• New apps and app updates must target Android 16 (API level 36 / SDK 36) to be published at all.

Apps that stay below the required target level aren't removed, but they won't show for users on newer Android versions. New installs stop, even though the app keeps working for people who already have it.

Extensions

A formal extension may be requested through Play Console, which pushes the deadline to November 1, 2026. If this is something you need, you will have to request it before the original deadline.

What needs to be done

• Check what Billing Library version your app currently ships with, if you handle payments through Google Play.
• Check your app's current target API level (SDK version) in Play Console.
• Update the app to Billing Library 8+ and/or targetSdkVersion 36, test, and submit the update well before August 31.
• If you need more time, file the extension request through Play Console before the deadline.
• If you have more than one app with us, we'll check each one separately, since these requirements apply per app, not per developer account.

Summary

Two Google Play requirements land on the same date this year: Billing Library 8 for anyone taking payments through Play, and the annual target API level bump (SDK 36) for everyone else. Neither pulls your app from the store immediately, but both cut off new installs or updates if you miss them. Get in touch if you'd like us to confirm where your app stands and handle the update.