Following the Google Team announcement that AndroidX is moving to minimum SDK version 19 (previously 14) from October 2023, and in our ongoing effort to deliver the most advanced and efficient video playback solutions, Bitmovin is raising the minimum SDK requirement for the Bitmovin Android Video Player to version 19 in the second quarter of 2024.
This update is also in response to several industry shifts toward modern Android platforms, underscored by the diminishing user base and support for older Android versions, as detailed on API Levels.
Notably:
- Google Play services have ceased updates for Android versions KitKat (API levels 19 & 20, released 2013) starting August 2023.
- Google’s IMA SDK and Cast SDK have also raised their minimum SDK versions to 19 in their latest releases. Furthermore, modern libraries such as Jetpack Compose now require a minimum SDK of 21 or higher.
This change ensures our SDK remains compatible with the latest AndroidX dependencies and incorporates the most recent advancements in Android development.
What Actions Do You Need to Take?
If your application currently supports a minSdkVersion lower than 19, we recommend updating this value to 19 to ensure compatibility with future versions of our SDK. Bitmovin will provide detailed information about this update in the Release Notes.
Did you know?
Engineering teams using just one of Bitmovin’s mobile (iOS or Android) SDKs save over 300 hours of engineering time each year on baseline maintenance for the native players (Media3 ExoPlayer or AVPlayer) alone, allowing services to focus more time on key business features and getting to market faster.
Support & Further information
For more details on supported devices & platforms, refer to our Developer Documentation.
Bitmovin also offers sample projects demonstrating various features of our SDK.
Should you have any questions, feel free to respond to this post. Our dedicated support team is prepared to assist with any inquiries or challenges, ensuring a seamless transition.