What does "Minimum SDK" refer to in an Android Studio project?

In the context of an Android Studio project, "Minimum SDK" specifically refers to the minimum version of the Android operating system that an app can run on. This means that when you set a Minimum SDK version in your project, you are defining the oldest version of Android that will install and run your application. Devices running an Android version lower than this specified Minimum SDK will not be able to install your app from the Google Play Store or any other distribution method.

This setting is crucial because it helps developers target the appropriate audience for their applications while leveraging the features and APIs available in newer versions of Android. For instance, if a developer wants to use a specific API that was introduced in Android 8.0 (API level 26), they would set their Minimum SDK to 26, ensuring that the app can only be run on devices with that version or higher, effectively limiting the app's compatibility for users on older systems.

Understanding the implications of Minimum SDK is essential for ensuring that your application functions properly across various devices and Android versions, while also enabling the use of newer features and performance optimizations offered by more recent versions of the platform.