Android - Can an app developed in Android 1.6 run in Android 2.0?

Question

Is Android backwards compatible, in other words can an application developed in Android 1.6 run in Android 2.0?

I just published a 2.0 application and discovered that I can't find it in the market using my G1 (Android 1.6) phone. But apparently others are downloading it.

Should I downgrade the application to 1.6 or do I need to create separate applications for each Android version?

Answer 1

Since you have developed your app with the 1.6 SDK you should(must?) flag it with 1.6. This will increase the number of person who will be able to see and download your app.

Don't need to have 2 apps (1.6 and 2.0) if they are the same. If you want you can try to evolve your app by using new features of the Android SDK 2.0 and then:

1. update the old app if you only want to aim android 2.0 (or if you are executing 2 different codes regarding the android version on phone)
2. create a new app on the market to aim android 2.0