MonoGame 3.8.4.1 update patch
The 3.8.4.1 Patch release
In response to changes at Google and iOS alike, the MonoGame Foundation is releasing a patch update to the 3.8.4 release to address some key policy changes by Apple and Google.
Namely:
- Google 16kb policy update - requiring all published applications to comply with the new policy by 1st November. This includes all dependencies a project uses.
- Various iOS updates and minimum app version updates (plus changes to the native API)
Only affects mobile builds
If you are solely targeting Desktop or Console builds, this update will not affect you, the 3.8.4.1 patch only contains fixes required for Android and iOS distribution.
Upgrade guide - required reading
The MonoGame Foundation has updated the MonoGame 3.8.x upgrade guide for the 3.8.4.1 release should developers wish ot need to upgrade, it includes checks to make on existing projects for the upgrade, including some edits to the csproj definitions to remove elements that are no longer required, specifically the RestoreDotNetTools section which is no longer required.
Some projects REQUIRE this removal as it prevents building
In a small number of cases, updating to 3.8.4.1 may prevent building the project, removing the RestoreDotNetTools section in the csproj resolves this issue.
This is a further continuation of the work to simplify projects and ensure they function as expected.
DotNet and template updates
Additionally in order to comply with the Google policy updates (and iOS fixes), projects are REQUIRED to also update to DotNet 9:
<TargetFramework>net9.0</TargetFramework>This should be applied to ANY Android or iOS client project and any dependencies such as class libraries to be safe.
All dependencies MUST be compliant
MonoGame has gone through rigorous testing to ensure that both DotNet 9 and any MonoGame dependencies (primarily OpenAL) are up to date and compliant with the recent policy changes. However, this also applies to any other dependencies in your client project, so best to check before submitting updates to the stores.
The MonoGame templates have also all be updated to use DotNet 9 from 3.8.4.1, this is only a recommendation (unlike Android / iOS which are MANDATORY) and you can downgrade to DotNet 8 if you wish, or even update to DotNet 10 when it is available, it will have no impact on the MonoGame Framework.
Checking your Android app compliance
A handy PowerShell script and instructions has been made available by Simon Jackson, in a GitHub gist, including instructions for how to test your compiled APK/AAB package for compliant libraries, full details below:
GitHub Gist for Android Policy checking
Another user has also commented on the Gist with a tool that does all the unpacking and verification for you, but this has not been tested by Simon. Use at your discretion.
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Onwards and Upwards
The MonoGame Foundation team