VS 2017 + Xamarin + Package restore failed + Rolling back packages

I wanted to start the process of putting together a quick forms app using Xamarin. I went through the steps below only to get error. The error, package install error
  1. Use the latest version of VS2017.
  2. Start a blank Xamarin Forms project in the simplest form.
  3. Go to NuGet to manage packages.
  4. 16 v26.02 Android packages need to be updated.
  5. Updating results in the following errors:

             Attempting to gather dependency information for package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.26.0.2' with respect to project 'AppXamarinFormsDebug.Android', targeting 'MonoAndroid,Version=v7.1'
Gathering dependency information took 1.35 sec
Attempting to resolve dependencies for package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.26.0.2' with DependencyBehavior 'Lowest'
Resolving dependency information took 0 ms
Resolving actions to install package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.26.0.2'
Resolved actions to install package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.26.0.2'
Retrieving package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable 26.0.2' from 'nuget.org'.
Retrieving package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Design 26.0.2' from 'nuget.org'.
GET https://www.nuget.org/api/v2/package/Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.MediaRouter/26.0.2
Retrieving package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.AppCompat 26.0.2' from 'nuget.org'.
GET https://www.nuget.org/api/v2/package/Xamarin.Android.Support.Design/26.0.2
Retrieving package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.MediaRouter 26.0.2' from 'nuget.org'.
Removed package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.25.4.0.2' from 'packages.config'
OK https://www.nuget.org/api/v2/package/Xamarin.Android.Support.Design/26.0.2 127ms
OK https://www.nuget.org/api/v2/package/Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.MediaRouter/26.0.2 134ms
Installing Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.MediaRouter 26.0.2.
Installing Xamarin.Android.Support.Design 26.0.2.
Successfully uninstalled 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.25.4.0.2' from AppXamarinFormsDebug.Android
Removed package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Design.25.4.0.2' from 'packages.config'
Successfully uninstalled 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Design.25.4.0.2' from AppXamarinFormsDebug.Android
Removed package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.AppCompat.25.4.0.2' from 'packages.config'
Successfully uninstalled 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.AppCompat.25.4.0.2' from AppXamarinFormsDebug.Android
Removed package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.MediaRouter.25.4.0.2' from 'packages.config'
Successfully uninstalled 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.MediaRouter.25.4.0.2' from AppXamarinFormsDebug.Android
Install failed. Rolling back...
Package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.26.0.2' does not exist in project 'AppXamarinFormsDebug.Android'
Package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.MediaRouter.25.4.0.2' already exists in folder 'E:\Xamarin\packages'
Added package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.MediaRouter.25.4.0.2' to 'packages.config'
Package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.AppCompat.25.4.0.2' already exists in folder 'E:\Xamarin\packages'
Added package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.v7.AppCompat.25.4.0.2' to 'packages.config'
Package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Design.25.4.0.2' already exists in folder 'E:\Xamarin\packages'
Added package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Design.25.4.0.2' to 'packages.config'
Package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.25.4.0.2' already exists in folder 'E:\Xamarin\packages'
Added package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.25.4.0.2' to 'packages.config'
Package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable.26.0.2' does not exist in folder 'E:\Xamarin\packages'
Executing nuget actions took 53.12 sec
Could not install package 'Xamarin.Android.Support.Animated.Vector.Drawable 26.0.2'. You are trying to install this package into a project that targets 'MonoAndroid,Version=v7.1', but the package does not contain any assembly references or content files that are compatible with that framework. For more information, contact the package author.
Time Elapsed: 00:00:54.6190348

 This error identifies two issues. 

1. The first being the Android SDK version API not correct, updated via the Android SDK Manager ( VS --> Tools --> Android --> Android SDK Manager) 

            

 

2. The second being the project need to target Android 8.1. This can easily be done by selecting the Android Project and going to --> properties then selecting the Android 8.1 (Oreo), which will prompt for version download. 




After completed listed task above, I was able to complete a build with no errors! Just had to dust VS off.

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