androidandroid-studiosdkandroid-api-levels

Changing API level Android Studio

I want to change the minimum SDK version in Android Studio from API 12 to API 14. I have tried changing it in the manifest file, i.e.,

<uses-sdk
    android:minSdkVersion="14"
    android:targetSdkVersion="18" />

and rebuilding the project, but I still get the Android Studio IDE throwing up some errors. I presume I have to set the min SDK in 'project properties' or something similar so the IDE recognizes the change, but I can't find where this is done in Android Studio.

Solution

  • When you want to update your minSdkVersion in an existing Android project...

    1. Update build.gradle (Module: YourProject) under Gradle Script and
      make sure that it is NOT build.gradle (Project: YourProject.app).

    An example of build.gradle:

    apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
    compileSdkVersion 28
    buildToolsVersion "28.0.2"

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.stackoverflow.answer"
        minSdkVersion 21
        targetSdkVersion 28
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            minifyEnabled false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
    }
}

dependencies {
    androidTestCompile 'junit:junit:4.12'
    compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
}
    1. Sync gradle button (refresh all gradle projects also works).

    enter image description here
    or
    enter image description here

    1. Rebuild project

    After updating the build.gradle's minSdkVersion, you have to click on the button to sync gradle file ("Sync Project with Gradle files"). That will clear the marker.

    Updating manifest.xml, for e.g. deleting any references to SDK levels in the manifest file, is NOT necessary anymore in Android Studio.