CODEWITHSUNDEEP
android
Majid Laissi
Majid Laissi

Reputation: 19778

Upgrade Android Api Version

I have an Android device, apparently with API Level 10.

I'm developping an Android Application and I need to test it on API level 12.

I don't know much about Android and API levels, so my question is: Can I update my device to a higer API level ? (it says no New version available, aren't hier APIs considered new version?)

(I can't use the Emulators, as they really need a huge amount of ressources to start.)

Alternatively, is it possible to test the following code, on my API Level 10 device ?

UsbManager manager = (UsbManager) this.context.getSystemService(Context.USB_SERVICE);

I have the following warning:

enter image description here

Upvotes: 0

Views: 1600

Answers (3)

Bernard Solien
Bernard Solien

Reputation: 80

Assuming your using Eclipse ADT. You DONT have to update your device to level or API 12. All you have to do is specify the minimum required SDK, which is API 8 in most Eclipse ADT setups. and set your target SDK to API 12. That way your app will run on devices from API 8 through to API 12 Including you device. FYI the latest API is now 19 (Android 4.4) Hope this helps.

Upvotes: 1

CQM
CQM

Reputation: 44220

You can try to see if there is a custom rom for your device that is of a higher api version. But this won't accurately test your app because there is probably a very good reason that a newer operating system was not made available for your device. As such, your app and the SDKs in the new API will probably not be able to make use of the hardware resources available, and you won't get an accurate representation of your app's performance.

You mentioned you can't use emulators but have you considered Genymotion's emulators? Although it is resource intensive it is better than Google's emulators and is faster than actual devices.

Upvotes: 1

Poutrathor
Poutrathor

Reputation: 2059

Yes higher API levels = latest releases.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_version_history#Version_history_by_API_level makes the correlation between API and version number (2.3.4).

You should work with a device supporting latest api and high resolution because many of your users might have that and you NEED as a developer to see and test your work on these platforms.

Get yourself a nexus phone, you can upgrade these to the latest Android version.

Android version release : Google releases it --> manufacturers and Telecom Carriers checks and adjust the release before making it available to you. Hence, for old phone, the manufacturers and carriers don't make the effort and you are stuck to old versions.

If you do no want to or if you cannot find a more recent handset, you can install a custom ROM to try to reach API 12. But in any case, if you start developing, you ll need good handset soon.

good luck

Upvotes: 1

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