Android App Support

Nano Adam · March 6, 2020

So, I own a Samsung Galaxy s3 which is currently running Android 4.3. However, since i am developing apps for it, most frameworks like Capacitor (with Ionic) or Expo CLI require Android 5.0, basically a higher SDK.

Is there a way I could support those apps? I am not looking for production fixes, just till development and personal use.

Thanks!

KNG_HOLDY · March 7, 2020

1) couldnt you flash your OS and use something like lineage os?

2) could u maybe use a older version of ionic? maybe v3 supports older android versions?

Eigenvektor · March 7, 2020

There are a few options:

a) Get yourself a new phone. Android 4.3 is really old and contains potentially unpatched security issues.

b) Use the emulator for development.

c) Don't use libraries/frameworks that require newer API levels and write everything yourself or use older versions of those libraries (which may contain bugs and unpatched security issues)

d) Clone the libraries and patch them to work with older API levels.

e) Force the API level to a lower value and live with the crashes that will occur when the libraries attempt to use functions not present on older Android versions