If you are building Android apps distributed via Google Play Store, you might have received an email from Google indicating the requirement to use Android API Level 33 as the target for all new apps published starting August 31st. The official communication is here.
RAD Studio 11.3, the current shipping version, does not offer the support for API level 33.
- Tech tip: It is technically possible to customize the build environment to target a higher API level, but this is not a trivial operation. You can see, as an example, the steps for an earlier API upgrade provided by Embarcadero MVP Dave Nottage here.
The change to support Android API level 33 in RAD Studio requires significant work, and is not possible in a 11.x update. We plan to deliver full support for Android API level 33 for the Delphi language in the next major release of RAD Studio*. However, this release will take some more time and will not GA before the Google deadline. But there is good news!
Using the Yukon Beta for Android
RAD Studio customers with an active update subscription can join the RAD Studio 12.0 Yukon Beta, which already offers (among many other features) support for Android API Level 33.
In addition, although the usual beta restrictions do not allow for building and deploying production apps, this beta has a special EULA provision allowing you to deploy (production) Android apps to the Google Play Store. We have made similar exceptions in the past to allow Update Subscription customers to use a beta for production use when our release schedule and platform OS updates from an OS vendor do not align.
Notice that like any Embarcadero beta program, the RAD Studio Yukon beta participation requires accepting an online NDA.
Being able to participate in our Beta program and start using some of the coming features in advance is one of the great benefits of Update Subscription. In case you have an active update subscription for RAD Studio and you haven’t received an invitation, after checking your spam inbox, you can reach out to an Embarcadero sales representative or reseller and ask for the signup link.
* Disclaimer: All new features and improvements discussed in this blog post for future versions of RAD Studio are not committed until completed, and GA released.
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From Google play console you can request an extension until November 1, 2023. The request is handled automatically and is granted immediately.
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/11926878?hl=en
Thanks Ørjan, that’s a great tip!
“Once you’ve provided your email address, we’ll verify it matches an account with active subscription and we’ll send you the beta documentation and download files. This might require a few days”
Seems even though I completed the form I don’t receive signup link email (happened with last beta too)
Didn’t get anything neither…
I’ll pass your details on to my colleagues. The beta invites are going out to customers at different stages based on particular criteria and it might be that you were not in one of those tranches. I’ll chase up the specific details for you though.
[Update] see the comment below from Marco.
I applied for the beta around the 14th of August and again on the 24th. However I haven’t received any NDA to sign yet (and of course no documentation and download files).
The NDA signing happens in the form (the process is different than in the past). The beta build took a little extra time but it’s also ready and you should receive it shortly
Hello, I was quite confused by the message about that which I got from Google Play Console. However, after some queries I found that there is no action necessary as long as you don’t want to update your app. I have Delphi 11.3 which created the app for Api level 32. Google accepts 31 and newer. You can leave it until 31.8.2024 (? I understood so?)
So for me personally it would be important to get to know when Delphi 12 will be released for the public, to be able to plan my further development of this app.
Marco, can you tell me that?
(I do not want to install one more Delphi version which I can’t use for my main Win apps…)
How do I apply to get the beta build? I don’t see a link to fill out the form like I have done a time or two in the past and I don’t see anything in my.embarcadero.com dashboard. It seems I have to beg for the link to apply each time one comes out :/
Hi Jay, the beta is currently only available for a selection of customers who meet certain criteria. If you have an active maintenance subscription with us, you should receive an invite to the beta shortly as we are rolling out the beta invites as a phased process. If you do not have an active maintenance subscription or Premium account, then I’m afraid right now we’re not expanding the beta invites wider than that. If anything changes, we’ll make sure to let everyone know.
If you *are* a Premium account holder or have an active maintenance subscription and you still have not been invited, then please feel to email me directly and I will check our records and try to resolve the issue if possible. You can email me at [email protected]