Google has announced several key policy changes for Android application developers that will increase the security of users, Google Play, and the apps offered by the service.

Beta 4 includes the final Android Q developer APIs (API level 29), the official API 29 SDK, and updated build tools for Android Studio.

The company notes that the feature will be enabled by default for apps targeting Android 11 (API level 30), and can be enabled manually for those targeting API levels 23 to 29.

Every new version of Android comes with a new API level, which changes how the app framework functions, adding new features, new restrictions, and new security measures.

Google says that’s because “malware often targets older API levels to bypass security and privacy protections introduced in newer Android versions.” ...

Now with Android 11, the crackdown continues as the Android team adds even more non-public APIs to the restricted list.

In an attempt to reduce fragmentation of its Android OS, Google is requiring developers of new and updated apps to comply with its most recent APIs.