Recently, Google made a big announcement: All Play Store apps must now target SDK 35 —or risk being removed from production listings. This isn’t one of those “maybe later” things. If you don’t comply, your app stops getting updates, and new users won’t be able to install it. I just went through this migration myself, upgrading a React Native app from 0.70.6 with Gradle 7.5.1 and AGP 7.2.2 . Turns out, it’s not as simple as changing targetSdkVersion from 34 to 35. This post will share what I learned—so you can skip some headaches. 1. Why You Need to Upgrade Target SDK Play Store policy: Without SDK 35, your app can’t be updated or installed. Security: Newer SDKs fix vulnerabilities and enforce better privacy practices. Performance & UX: Latest SDKs bring optimizations and keep your UI consistent with new devices. Compliance: Google regularly bumps requirements to modernize the ecosystem. 2. Considerations & Challenges ...

OTP Auto-Retrieval in React Native Using react-native-otp-verify One-Time Passwords (OTPs) are a common method for verifying user identities in mobile applications. Manually entering OTPs can be cumbersome for users. Android's SMS Retriever API enables automatic OTP retrieval, enhancing both user experience and security. Understanding OTP Auto-Retrieval The SMS Retriever API enables your app to automatically retrieve verification codes without requiring SMS read permissions. The general flow is as follows: User initiates OTP verification. Your app starts the SMS Retriever API listener. The server sends an SMS with OTP and app hash. Google Play services detects and delivers the SMS to your app. Importance of the App Hash The app hash is an 11-character unique identifier that links the SMS to ...

Git Good with Guns: A Humorous, Hands-On Approach to Learning Version Control When it comes to Git, many developers feel like they're entering a battlefield. So, why not embrace that feeling and compare Git commands to handling a gun? Don't worry—no actual guns involved, just a bit of tech fun. Let’s break down some key Git commands as if you were preparing for a mission.  These are the basic commands you'll find yourself using day in and day out, so let’s make sure you’re ready for action! 1. git add . Think of this command as loading bullets into your magazine . When you run git add . , you're adding all your changes (the bullets) to the staging area (the magazine). You're getting everything ready for the next step. Make sure your magazine is fully loaded with all the necessary changes! 2. git commit -m '<message>' Now that y...

  When it comes to FREE HOSTING, both Vercel and Render offer enticing options, each with its own set of strengths and trade-offs. Vercel and Render both offer free cloud hosting for your projects, providing a great opportunity to practice and learn with real-world tools. While these free plans come with limited resources and features, they're perfect for getting started or testing smaller projects. However, if you're considering using these platforms for production, it's worth noting that a dedicated plan would be more suitable. But let's set aside the paid plans for now and focus on what you can do with the free versions. Many of you may have noticed the constraints that come with free hosting, such as limited resources and restricted monthly uptime. Here, I'll give you a brief overview of what the free plans actually offer, along wi...