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I am using intelliJ and want to target 4.1.2 android version. In IntelliJ when it gives me the choice it gives me two 4.1.2 build target choices

  • Android 4.1.2
  • Google APIs (4.1.2)

What's the difference?

Thanks

RNJ
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  • thanks @squonk. I was thinkng that this question must have been answered before but I just couldnot see it. – RNJ Jul 27 '14 at 21:03

2 Answers2

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Android 4.1.2 is just stock android. Google APIs is what the name says. It includes Google APIs that you might want to use. e.g. Google Maps API.

Simas
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    Thanks for the quick answer. If I use the google apis does this mean that i wont be able to run it on a kindle as this has its own store and doesnt use play. Thinking about this I think kindle is the only big supplier that does not have play – RNJ Jul 27 '14 at 21:05
  • Maps API requires one to have store installed. – Simas Jul 27 '14 at 21:08
  • @RNJ It will run if the device is google certified. You can check wether it is certified or not [here](https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1727131?hl=en). Else you will have to target regular Android API. – SuppressWarnings Jul 27 '14 at 21:24
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You would almost always want to target Google Android Api, which includes Google Service support (google play, maps, gtalk...).

Check this answer.

One exception is if your device is not Google certified (which you can check here), or if you dont want Google API support and still prefer to target regular Android API.

From a comment in the other answer here's the list of devices that are supported

Community
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SuppressWarnings
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    "You would almost always want to target Google Android Api..." : Why? I can think of very many apps I might develop which have absolutely no need for any of the Google APIs. – Squonk Jul 27 '14 at 21:06
  • @SuppressWarnings. Thanks for quick answer! Can you help with my comment on the other answer? Thanks – RNJ Jul 27 '14 at 21:06
  • @Squonk Yes, well, I meant that nowaday most apps make use of google api in one way or another, so most of the time you're targeting Google Android API by default (at least I do). Still, I edited my answer with clarification. Thanks for the input. – SuppressWarnings Jul 27 '14 at 21:29