diff --git a/.cursor/BUGBOT.md b/.cursor/BUGBOT.md
index 8882291ee46..2bb66797805 100644
--- a/.cursor/BUGBOT.md
+++ b/.cursor/BUGBOT.md
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ rule file in [`.cursor/rules/`](rules) for the area the diff touches (`api`, `op
 
 ## Java and Android specifics
 
-- The core `sentry` module is Java 8 and must not reference Android or JVM-only APIs. Reach optional
+- The core `sentry` module is Java 11 and must not reference Android or JVM-only APIs. Reach optional
   platform code through `Platform`, `LoadClass`, or a separate module.
 - Android code calling an API newer than `minSdk` must be guarded by
   `BuildInfoProvider.getSdkInfoVersion()`.
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 46668617274..68c62de7d6e 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ The repository is organized into multiple modules:
 ## Development Guidelines
 
 ### Code Style
-- **Languages**: Java 8+ and Kotlin
+- **Languages**: Java 11+ and Kotlin
 - **Formatting**: Enforced via Spotless
 - **API Compatibility**: Binary compatibility is enforced. `.api` files are generated, never hand-edited
 
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index c0d6b1dbe1d..61644813607 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 ### Breaking Changes
 
+- The SDK is now compiled for Java 11 instead of Java 8. JVM applications need Java 11 or newer ([#6459](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-java/pull/6459))
 - Default trace context status to `ok` when an active span has no explicit status ([#6418](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-java/pull/6418))
 - Remove the deprecated user feedback APIs ([#6337](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-java/pull/6337))
   - `UserFeedback` and `Sentry.captureUserFeedback(...)`: use `Sentry.feedback().capture(...)` with `io.sentry.protocol.Feedback` instead
diff --git a/build-logic/build.gradle.kts b/build-logic/build.gradle.kts
index 60a340c9b85..ef9930894d4 100644
--- a/build-logic/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/build-logic/build.gradle.kts
@@ -16,10 +16,6 @@ gradlePlugin {
       id = "io.sentry.jdk-target"
       implementationClass = "io.sentry.gradle.JdkTargetConvention"
     }
-    register("sentryAnimalSniffer") {
-      id = "io.sentry.animalsniffer"
-      implementationClass = "io.sentry.gradle.SentryAnimalSnifferPlugin"
-    }
     register("sentryAnimalSnifferAndroid") {
       id = "io.sentry.animalsniffer.android"
       implementationClass = "io.sentry.gradle.SentryAnimalSnifferAndroidPlugin"
diff --git a/build-logic/src/main/kotlin/io/sentry/gradle/JdkTargetConvention.kt b/build-logic/src/main/kotlin/io/sentry/gradle/JdkTargetConvention.kt
index ca2999f878a..c7bc87be916 100644
--- a/build-logic/src/main/kotlin/io/sentry/gradle/JdkTargetConvention.kt
+++ b/build-logic/src/main/kotlin/io/sentry/gradle/JdkTargetConvention.kt
@@ -20,18 +20,18 @@ import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinJvmCompile
 /** The JDK every module compiles and tests with, whatever JDK runs Gradle. */
 private val BUILD_JDK = JavaLanguageVersion.of(21)
 
-/** The level the SDK publishes, so that Java 8 consumers can still use it. */
-private val PUBLISHED_JAVA_VERSION = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+/** The level the SDK publishes. */
+private val PUBLISHED_JAVA_VERSION = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
 
 /**
  * Holds every toolchain, bytecode level decision and compilation option of a module. It does the
  * following
  * - sample apps target the build JDK (21)
  * - unit test code will target the build JDK (21) (required for Mockito 5)
- * - published JVM modules main code pins the Java 1.8 release, for Java and for Kotlin
+ * - published JVM modules main code pins the Java 11 release, for Java and for Kotlin
  * - published modules Java code drops the MethodParameters attribute javac 21 adds, and their
  *   archives are checked for it
- * - published Android modules main code targets Java 1.8
+ * - published Android modules main code targets Java 11
  * - minSdk is set for Android libraries
  */
 class JdkTargetConvention : Plugin<Project> {
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class JdkTargetConvention : Plugin<Project> {
         }
       }
       // -Xjdk-release is the Kotlin counterpart of release: without it Kotlin resolves against the
-      // build JDK and happily compiles e.g. Files.readString() into Java 8 bytecode. The version
+      // build JDK and happily compiles e.g. Stream.toList() into Java 11 bytecode. The version
       // follows jvmTarget, which the modules that publish a higher level set themselves.
       project.plugins.withId("org.jetbrains.kotlin.jvm") {
         project.tasks.named("compileKotlin", KotlinJvmCompile::class.java) {
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@ class JdkTargetConvention : Plugin<Project> {
       .toInt()
 
   /**
-   * Mockito 5 and mockito-kotlin 6 are built for Java 11, so test code - which is never published -
-   * cannot share the Java 8 target of the main code. AGP has no per variant compileOptions, so this
+   * Test code - which is never published - targets the build JDK, as it does in the JVM modules,
+   * instead of the Java 11 target of the main code. AGP has no per variant compileOptions, so this
    * goes through the Kotlin compilations: their compile task providers are configured after AGP
    * wrote its own compileOptions, which an apply time configureEach would lose against.
    */
diff --git a/build-logic/src/main/kotlin/io/sentry/gradle/SentryAnimalSnifferPlugin.kt b/build-logic/src/main/kotlin/io/sentry/gradle/SentryAnimalSnifferPlugin.kt
index f1bc2bafcf7..1dc906b212c 100644
--- a/build-logic/src/main/kotlin/io/sentry/gradle/SentryAnimalSnifferPlugin.kt
+++ b/build-logic/src/main/kotlin/io/sentry/gradle/SentryAnimalSnifferPlugin.kt
@@ -20,14 +20,19 @@ abstract class SentryAnimalSnifferExtension {
   }
 }
 
-class SentryAnimalSnifferPlugin : Plugin<Project> {
+/**
+ * Checks the main code of the JVM modules that Android apps also use against the Android API 21
+ * signature. The JVM API needs no signature: javac's release flag and Kotlin's -Xjdk-release
+ * already limit main code to the published Java version, see JdkTargetConvention.
+ */
+class SentryAnimalSnifferAndroidPlugin : Plugin<Project> {
   override fun apply(project: Project) {
     project.pluginManager.apply("ru.vyarus.animalsniffer")
 
     val extension =
       project.extensions.create("sentryAnimalSniffer", SentryAnimalSnifferExtension::class.java)
 
-    project.addSignatureDependency("java8-signature")
+    project.addSignatureDependency("gummy-bears-api21")
 
     project.tasks.named("animalsnifferMain", AnimalSniffer::class.java).configure {
       ignoreClasses = ignoreClasses + extension.ignoredClasses.get()
@@ -38,14 +43,6 @@ class SentryAnimalSnifferPlugin : Plugin<Project> {
   }
 }
 
-class SentryAnimalSnifferAndroidPlugin : Plugin<Project> {
-  override fun apply(project: Project) {
-    project.pluginManager.apply(SentryAnimalSnifferPlugin::class.java)
-
-    project.addSignatureDependency("gummy-bears-api21")
-  }
-}
-
 private fun Project.addSignatureDependency(libraryName: String) {
   val libs = extensions.getByType(VersionCatalogsExtension::class.java).named("libs")
   dependencies.add("signature", signatureNotation(libs.findLibrary(libraryName).get().get()))
diff --git a/gradle/libs.versions.toml b/gradle/libs.versions.toml
index 7cbe8e626c8..11f51535a32 100644
--- a/gradle/libs.versions.toml
+++ b/gradle/libs.versions.toml
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ coroutines = "1.6.1"
 espresso = "3.7.0"
 feign = "11.6"
 gummyBears = "0.12.0"
-java8Signature = "1.0"
 jackson = "2.18.3"
 jetbrainsCompose = "1.6.11"
 kotlin = "2.3.21"
@@ -252,7 +251,6 @@ timber = { module = "com.jakewharton.timber:timber", version = "4.7.1" }
 
 # Animalsniffer signature
 gummy-bears-api21 = { module = "com.toasttab.android:gummy-bears-api-21", version.ref = "gummyBears" }
-java8-signature = { module = "org.codehaus.mojo.signature:java18", version.ref = "java8Signature" }
 
 # tomcat libraries
 tomcat-catalina = { module = "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina", version = "9.0.108" }
diff --git a/sentry-android-core/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-core/build.gradle.kts
index 0f791a46019..c216ae3a15a 100644
--- a/sentry-android-core/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-core/build.gradle.kts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import net.ltgt.gradle.errorprone.errorprone
 import org.jetbrains.kotlin.config.KotlinCompilerVersion
-import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 
 plugins {
   id("com.android.library")
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ android {
   // disabled, so unit tests must target release to run at all.
   testBuildType = "release"
 
-  kotlin { compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JVM_1_8 }
+  kotlin { compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JVM_11 }
 
   testOptions {
     animationsDisabled = true
diff --git a/sentry-android-distribution/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-distribution/build.gradle.kts
index 074d56c08e6..b575ab5b5ca 100644
--- a/sentry-android-distribution/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-distribution/build.gradle.kts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion
 
 plugins {
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ android {
 }
 
 kotlin {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   explicitApi()
 }
diff --git a/sentry-android-fragment/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-fragment/build.gradle.kts
index 3c7a0404970..c7cc6c4f0ea 100644
--- a/sentry-android-fragment/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-fragment/build.gradle.kts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ android {
   testBuildType = "release"
 
   kotlin {
-    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_11
     compilerOptions.languageVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
     compilerOptions.apiVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   }
@@ -75,5 +75,5 @@ dependencies {
 
 tasks.withType<Detekt>().configureEach {
   // Target version of the generated JVM bytecode. It is used for type resolution.
-  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8.toString()
+  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_11.toString()
 }
diff --git a/sentry-android-navigation/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-navigation/build.gradle.kts
index ddc6d6f4161..800eb651239 100644
--- a/sentry-android-navigation/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-navigation/build.gradle.kts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import io.gitlab.arturbosch.detekt.Detekt
-import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion
 
 plugins {
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ android {
   testBuildType = "release"
 
   kotlin {
-    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JVM_1_8
+    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JVM_11
     compilerOptions.languageVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
     compilerOptions.apiVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   }
@@ -82,5 +82,5 @@ dependencies {
 
 tasks.withType<Detekt>().configureEach {
   // Target version of the generated JVM bytecode. It is used for type resolution.
-  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8.toString()
+  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_11.toString()
 }
diff --git a/sentry-android-navigation3/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-navigation3/build.gradle.kts
index 9612fded9d6..435cd836d46 100644
--- a/sentry-android-navigation3/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-navigation3/build.gradle.kts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import io.gitlab.arturbosch.detekt.Detekt
-import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion
 
 plugins {
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ android {
   testBuildType = "release"
 
   kotlin {
-    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JVM_1_8
+    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JVM_11
     compilerOptions.languageVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
     compilerOptions.apiVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   }
@@ -77,5 +77,5 @@ dependencies {
 
 tasks.withType<Detekt>().configureEach {
   // Target version of the generated JVM bytecode. It is used for type resolution.
-  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8.toString()
+  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_11.toString()
 }
diff --git a/sentry-android-ndk/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-ndk/build.gradle.kts
index dff85906ca1..b59975054aa 100644
--- a/sentry-android-ndk/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-ndk/build.gradle.kts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ android {
   // disabled, so unit tests must target release to run at all.
   testBuildType = "release"
 
-  kotlin { compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8 }
+  kotlin { compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11 }
 
   testOptions {
     animationsDisabled = true
diff --git a/sentry-android-replay/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-replay/build.gradle.kts
index 1a92f9a0b36..ceb48c23d2c 100644
--- a/sentry-android-replay/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-replay/build.gradle.kts
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ android {
   testBuildType = "release"
 
   kotlin {
-    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_11
     compilerOptions.languageVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
     compilerOptions.apiVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   }
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 tasks.withType<Detekt>().configureEach {
   // Target version of the generated JVM bytecode. It is used for type resolution.
-  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8.toString()
+  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_11.toString()
 }
 
 tasks.withType<KotlinCompilationTask<*>>().configureEach {
diff --git a/sentry-android-sqlite/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-sqlite/build.gradle.kts
index 38ea832082f..066ca6c8127 100644
--- a/sentry-android-sqlite/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-sqlite/build.gradle.kts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ android {
   testBuildType = "release"
 
   kotlin {
-    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_11
     compilerOptions.languageVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
     compilerOptions.apiVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   }
@@ -84,5 +84,5 @@ dependencies {
 
 tasks.withType<Detekt>().configureEach {
   // Target version of the generated JVM bytecode. It is used for type resolution.
-  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8.toString()
+  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_11.toString()
 }
diff --git a/sentry-android-timber/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-android-timber/build.gradle.kts
index 92f14b37c8c..1982068b628 100644
--- a/sentry-android-timber/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-android-timber/build.gradle.kts
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ android {
   testBuildType = "release"
 
   kotlin {
-    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_11
     compilerOptions.languageVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
     compilerOptions.apiVersion = KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   }
@@ -85,5 +85,5 @@ dependencies {
 
 tasks.withType<Detekt>().configureEach {
   // Target version of the generated JVM bytecode. It is used for type resolution.
-  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8.toString()
+  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_11.toString()
 }
diff --git a/sentry-apollo-3/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-apollo-3/build.gradle.kts
index ae8721b22b2..a388d0f7100 100644
--- a/sentry-apollo-3/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-apollo-3/build.gradle.kts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-apollo-4/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-apollo-4/build.gradle.kts
index 63c8b5431c6..a7ba68db5dd 100644
--- a/sentry-apollo-4/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-apollo-4/build.gradle.kts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-apollo-5/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-apollo-5/build.gradle.kts
index 2d78dff8fa1..a4f76c5da02 100644
--- a/sentry-apollo-5/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-apollo-5/build.gradle.kts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-apollo/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-apollo/build.gradle.kts
index 72a183bb7b3..4a1e06b60d1 100644
--- a/sentry-apollo/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-apollo/build.gradle.kts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-async-profiler/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-async-profiler/build.gradle.kts
index fbb4a8fc353..c999a526343 100644
--- a/sentry-async-profiler/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-async-profiler/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 kotlin { explicitApi() }
diff --git a/sentry-compose/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-compose/build.gradle.kts
index 19fce9f95b5..2794d81e20e 100644
--- a/sentry-compose/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-compose/build.gradle.kts
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ kotlin {
 
   androidTarget {
     compilerOptions {
-      jvmTarget.set(JvmTarget.JVM_1_8)
+      jvmTarget.set(JvmTarget.JVM_11)
       apiVersion.set(KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9)
       languageVersion.set(KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9)
     }
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ kotlin {
   }
   jvm("desktop") {
     compilerOptions {
-      jvmTarget.set(JvmTarget.JVM_1_8)
+      jvmTarget.set(JvmTarget.JVM_11)
       apiVersion.set(KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9)
       languageVersion.set(KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9)
     }
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ detekt { source.setFrom("src/androidMain/kotlin", "src/androidUnitTest/kotlin")
 
 tasks.withType<Detekt>().configureEach {
   // Target version of the generated JVM bytecode. It is used for type resolution.
-  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8.toString()
+  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_11.toString()
 }
 
 tasks.withType<DokkaTask>().configureEach {
diff --git a/sentry-graphql-22/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-graphql-22/build.gradle.kts
index 9da6bcc1e36..221d00a4362 100644
--- a/sentry-graphql-22/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-graphql-22/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-graphql-core/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-graphql-core/build.gradle.kts
index df0496f070e..20f8b504bba 100644
--- a/sentry-graphql-core/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-graphql-core/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-graphql/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-graphql/build.gradle.kts
index 25613e1fdd6..3aec272cfcb 100644
--- a/sentry-graphql/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-graphql/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-jcache/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-jcache/build.gradle.kts
index b773c42c340..9ffc344e383 100644
--- a/sentry-jcache/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-jcache/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-jdbc/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-jdbc/build.gradle.kts
index 9d0aa1596fe..24d32f65a51 100644
--- a/sentry-jdbc/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-jdbc/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-jul/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-jul/build.gradle.kts
index 451cbf1991b..3f4563e3e81 100644
--- a/sentry-jul/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-jul/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-kafka/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-kafka/build.gradle.kts
index eb293ada057..6a670195f1f 100644
--- a/sentry-kafka/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-kafka/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-kotlin-extensions/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-kotlin-extensions/build.gradle.kts
index ded17d445e7..80356c18fad 100644
--- a/sentry-kotlin-extensions/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-kotlin-extensions/build.gradle.kts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 tasks.withType<Detekt>().configureEach {
   // Target version of the generated JVM bytecode. It is used for type resolution.
-  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8.toString()
+  jvmTarget = JavaVersion.VERSION_11.toString()
 }
 
 kotlin { explicitApi() }
diff --git a/sentry-ktor-client/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-ktor-client/build.gradle.kts
index 28edd1689e0..757f99477ab 100644
--- a/sentry-ktor-client/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-ktor-client/build.gradle.kts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-launchdarkly-android/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-launchdarkly-android/build.gradle.kts
index df081b21213..b38f6ee6925 100644
--- a/sentry-launchdarkly-android/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-launchdarkly-android/build.gradle.kts
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ android {
   // disabled, so unit tests must target release to run at all.
   testBuildType = "release"
 
-  kotlin { compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8 }
+  kotlin { compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11 }
 
   testOptions {
     animationsDisabled = true
diff --git a/sentry-launchdarkly-server/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-launchdarkly-server/build.gradle.kts
index f2ed3d15742..f7ccdec6b73 100644
--- a/sentry-launchdarkly-server/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-launchdarkly-server/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-log4j2/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-log4j2/build.gradle.kts
index 68cdaa9b726..73a06ae6b3e 100644
--- a/sentry-log4j2/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-log4j2/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-logback/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-logback/build.gradle.kts
index 48f84725a78..6d06d9baa49 100644
--- a/sentry-logback/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-logback/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-okhttp/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-okhttp/build.gradle.kts
index 0b3e2388415..29a7f82eac5 100644
--- a/sentry-okhttp/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-okhttp/build.gradle.kts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-openfeature/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-openfeature/build.gradle.kts
index 6750e22e61c..0590aa4d389 100644
--- a/sentry-openfeature/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-openfeature/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-openfeign/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-openfeign/build.gradle.kts
index 209e5c34e54..12d71aa061b 100644
--- a/sentry-openfeign/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-openfeign/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agent/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agent/build.gradle.kts
index b4b1a8b840d..046a9650bde 100644
--- a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agent/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agent/build.gradle.kts
@@ -4,14 +4,13 @@ import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinCompile
 
 plugins {
   `java-library`
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
   alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.jvm)
   alias(libs.plugins.shadow)
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 fun relocatePackages(shadowJar: ShadowJar) {
diff --git a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentcustomization/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentcustomization/build.gradle.kts
index 3390f2695c8..06a5272d78c 100644
--- a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentcustomization/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentcustomization/build.gradle.kts
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinCompile
 
 plugins {
   `java-library`
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
   alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.jvm)
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentless-spring/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentless-spring/build.gradle.kts
index 5a94dcd4422..c02ca0ca468 100644
--- a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentless-spring/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentless-spring/build.gradle.kts
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ plugins {
   `java-library`
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentless/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentless/build.gradle.kts
index 32d029746c1..8816e311040 100644
--- a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentless/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-agentless/build.gradle.kts
@@ -5,11 +5,10 @@ plugins {
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
   alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.jvm)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-bootstrap/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-bootstrap/build.gradle.kts
index 28a1b030e15..315f4049017 100644
--- a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-bootstrap/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-bootstrap/build.gradle.kts
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinCompile
 
 plugins {
   `java-library`
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
   alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.jvm)
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-core/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-core/build.gradle.kts
index 1c1e7f984ba..628f1186cbd 100644
--- a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-core/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-core/build.gradle.kts
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinCompile
 
 plugins {
   `java-library`
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
   alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.jvm)
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-otlp-spring/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-otlp-spring/build.gradle.kts
index 8a5093a6570..1ff16cd0a31 100644
--- a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-otlp-spring/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-otlp-spring/build.gradle.kts
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 plugins {
   `java-library`
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
 }
 
diff --git a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-otlp/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-otlp/build.gradle.kts
index fb95d722d6f..ef0fd634ff3 100644
--- a/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-otlp/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-opentelemetry/sentry-opentelemetry-otlp/build.gradle.kts
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinCompile
 
 plugins {
   `java-library`
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
   alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.jvm)
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-quartz/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-quartz/build.gradle.kts
index b5387daf207..965b3ee8bb0 100644
--- a/sentry-quartz/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-quartz/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-ktor-client/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-ktor-client/build.gradle.kts
index 08a08b01c88..caeaaf605b9 100644
--- a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-ktor-client/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-ktor-client/build.gradle.kts
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@ plugins {
 application { mainClass.set("io.sentry.samples.ktorClient.Main") }
 
 configure<JavaPluginExtension> {
-  sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
-  targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+  sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
+  targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
 }
 
 tasks.withType<org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinCompile>().configureEach {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-netflix-dgs/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-netflix-dgs/build.gradle.kts
index 90bc1ffc86f..2f1f252d17e 100644
--- a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-netflix-dgs/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-netflix-dgs/build.gradle.kts
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ group = "io.sentry.sample.spring-boot"
 
 version = "0.0.1-SNAPSHOT"
 
-java.sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+java.sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
 
-java.targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+java.targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
 
 dependencies {
   implementation(platform(libs.springboot2.bom))
@@ -61,6 +61,6 @@ tasks.withType<Test>().configureEach { useJUnitPlatform() }
 tasks.withType<KotlinCompile>().configureEach {
   kotlin {
     compilerOptions.freeCompilerArgs = listOf("-Xjsr305=strict")
-    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+    compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   }
 }
diff --git a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-openfeign/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-openfeign/build.gradle.kts
index 8da1dfe785a..39193a3383c 100644
--- a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-openfeign/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-openfeign/build.gradle.kts
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ plugins {
 application { mainClass.set("io.sentry.samples.openfeign.Main") }
 
 configure<JavaPluginExtension> {
-  sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
-  targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+  sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
+  targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-servlet/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-servlet/build.gradle.kts
index 01ecef54154..ee758c3e129 100644
--- a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-servlet/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-servlet/build.gradle.kts
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ group = "io.sentry.sample.servlet"
 
 version = "0.0.1-SNAPSHOT"
 
-java.sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+java.sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
 
-java.targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+java.targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
 
 dependencies {
   implementation(projects.sentryServlet)
diff --git a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-spring/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-spring/build.gradle.kts
index b64fcab92a3..15df9480dcc 100644
--- a/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-spring/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-samples/sentry-samples-spring/build.gradle.kts
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@ plugins {
 // the Spring Boot 2.x matrix covers (2.4.13, Spring 5.3.13) fails on class files as new as the
 // toolchain's: "Unsupported class file major version 65". Only the app is scanned, so its test
 // code keeps following the toolchain.
-tasks.named<JavaCompile>("compileJava") { options.release.set(8) }
+tasks.named<JavaCompile>("compileJava") { options.release.set(11) }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 application { mainClass.set("io.sentry.samples.spring.Main") }
diff --git a/sentry-servlet-jakarta/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-servlet-jakarta/build.gradle.kts
index b9d6ffc2ec4..8d1db1473ee 100644
--- a/sentry-servlet-jakarta/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-servlet-jakarta/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-servlet/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-servlet/build.gradle.kts
index 08ac7d45284..8cf9f631434 100644
--- a/sentry-servlet/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-servlet/build.gradle.kts
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-spotlight/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-spotlight/build.gradle.kts
index 072cb360e61..19d39bc5532 100644
--- a/sentry-spotlight/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-spotlight/build.gradle.kts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/sentry-spring-boot-starter/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-spring-boot-starter/build.gradle.kts
index 641b335becb..bfe0d3ed09d 100644
--- a/sentry-spring-boot-starter/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-spring-boot-starter/build.gradle.kts
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinCompile
 
 plugins {
   `java-library`
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
   id("io.sentry.javadoc")
   alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.jvm)
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-spring-boot/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-spring-boot/build.gradle.kts
index 1b41b918edb..daf5f86660e 100644
--- a/sentry-spring-boot/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-spring-boot/build.gradle.kts
@@ -10,11 +10,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry-spring/build.gradle.kts b/sentry-spring/build.gradle.kts
index f11087c1b07..3c8be18663f 100644
--- a/sentry-spring/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry-spring/build.gradle.kts
@@ -9,11 +9,10 @@ plugins {
   alias(libs.plugins.errorprone)
   alias(libs.plugins.gradle.versions)
   alias(libs.plugins.buildconfig)
-  id("io.sentry.animalsniffer")
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_11
   compilerOptions.languageVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
   compilerOptions.apiVersion = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.KotlinVersion.KOTLIN_1_9
 }
diff --git a/sentry/build.gradle.kts b/sentry/build.gradle.kts
index 9cbcf5bf2c0..d05bf8a1474 100644
--- a/sentry/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/sentry/build.gradle.kts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin") {
-  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_1_8
+  compilerOptions.jvmTarget = org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.dsl.JvmTarget.JVM_11
 }
 
 dependencies {