How to Update Your React Native Android App to Target API Level 35 (Android 15)

With Android 15 (API Level 35) coming closer to stable release, Google has started enforcing Target API Level updates for Play Store submissions. Updating your React Native app to target API Level 35 ensures compatibility with the latest Android platform features, security policies, and background limitations.

This guide will walk you through the full update process for your React Native project to comply with Target SDK 35 requirements.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide to Update Target SDK 35

Step 1: Update Android Studio

If you're not using Android Studio Hedgehog | 2023.1.1+ or later, update your IDE first. Android 15 SDK support is only available in Hedgehog and newer versions like Meerkat | 2024.3.2+

Step 2: Install Android 15 SDK (VanillaIceCream)

1. Open Android Studio

2. Go to SDK Manager

3. Under the SDK Platforms tab:

   • Enable Android 15.0 (VanillaIceCream) - API Level 35

4. Under the SDK Tools tab:

   • Ensure Build Tools 35.0.0 is selected

5. Click Apply → OK

Step 3: Update SDK Versions in android/build.gradle

Update the following in your root android/build.gradle file:

buildToolsVersion = "35.0.0"

compileSdkVersion = 35

targetSdkVersion = 35

In android/app/build.gradle, confirm:

defaultConfig {
  minSdkVersion = 23
  targetSdkVersion = 35
}

Step 4: Update AGP (Android Gradle Plugin)

React Native uses a version-locked Android Gradle Plugin (AGP) located here:

📁 node_modules/@react-native/gradle-plugin/gradle/libs.versions.toml

Update this file to use:

agp = "8.1.1"

🔗 Check official AGP version compatibility

📦 Current Working Configuration (Tested Setup)

🐞 Common Issues & Fixes

❌ Crash: Navigation Errors After Update

Update your navigation dependencies to these stable versions:

"@react-navigation/native": "^7.1.14",

"@react-navigation/native-stack": "^7.3.21",

"react-native-screens": "^4.4.0",

"react-native-safe-area-context": "^4.12.0"

❌ Crash: Scroll or Gesture Handler Errors

Update the gesture handler package:

"react-native-gesture-handler": "^2.21.2"

🔧 Patch Needed:
If you get errors in GestureHandlerOrchestrator.kt, open this file:

node_modules/react-native-gesture-handler/android/src/main/java/com/swmansion/gesturehandler/core/GestureHandlerOrchestrator.kt

And Replace:

reversed()

With:

asReversed()

⚠️ Important Note

After the update, test your app thoroughly on Android 11 (API Level 30) and below, since newer APIs and behavior changes may introduce regressions on older devices.

✅ Final Thoughts

Keeping your app up-to-date with the latest Target SDK is not just a Google Play requirement—it ensures your app performs reliably on the latest Android versions, with modern privacy and performance enhancements.

If you encounter build or runtime errors, always double-check:

• All dependencies are compatible with AGP 8.1.1+
• No deprecated APIs are being used
• Your Gradle and Kotlin versions are updated accordingly (if customized)