In alignment with Google’s ongoing modernization of the Android ecosystem and our commitment to delivering advanced video playback experiences, Bitmovin will raise the minimum SDK requirement for the Bitmovin Android Video Player to version 23 (Android 6.0, Marshmallow) later in the fourth quarter of 2025.
This update ensures that our SDK remains optimized for performance, security, and compatibility with modern Android development frameworks.
Why This Change?
Several key industry trends have driven this decision:
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Google’s IMA SDK now require higher minimum SDK versions.
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Starting with June 2025 all newly released AndroidX libraries require minSdk 23.
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The user base for older Android versions continues to decline, reducing the need for legacy support.
Raising the minimum SDK requirement allows Bitmovin to take advantage of modern Android capabilities and continue delivering high-quality playback solutions across supported devices.
What You Need to Do
If your application currently specifies a minSdkVersion lower than 23, please update this value to 23 (previously 21) to ensure compatibility with future versions of the Bitmovin Android SDK.
More detailed information about this update will be provided in our upcoming Release Notes.
Support & Further Information
For details on supported devices and platforms, visit our Developer Documentation.
You can also explore sample projects that showcase the Bitmovin SDK’s advanced playback and integration features.
If you have any questions, please reply to this post — our support team is ready to help ensure a smooth transition.