Google is pulling the plug on Android Auto updates for some older telephones

In case you have an older Android phone, there’s an opportunity it may not assist the most recent variations of Android Auto for much longer. In July 2024, Google introduced that to run the latest variations of Android Auto, your cellphone would must be working Android 9.0 or larger. Nonetheless, it by no means really made the change, and its newest updates continued to assist Android 8.0 and above. Quick-forward greater than a yr later, and that’s lastly about to vary.

In line with Auto Evolution, with the most recent Android Auto replace, model 15.5, Google has modified the system necessities for Android Auto to now require a tool working Android 9.0 or larger. This implies you probably have a tool working Android 8, you’ll not obtain the most recent Android Auto updates, and the final supported replace you’ll be able to obtain is Android Auto 15.4.

Presently, if you go to the Google Play Retailer, Android Auto signifies it nonetheless helps Android 8.0 or larger, however this may change when Android Auto 15.5 launches, which might be inside the subsequent month or so, as it’s presently in its testing part earlier than a broader rollout.

Android 8 is not extinct but

It is doable Android Auto might cease working totally on Android 8 in some unspecified time in the future

Though Android 8 was launched again in 2017, some individuals nonetheless use it. In line with the most recent Android distribution figures, about 4 p.c of customers are nonetheless on Android 8, with one p.c utilizing Android 8.0 and three p.c on Android 8.1. So, whereas it’s not a big share, it nonetheless has an impression. The final time Google up to date the Android Auto system necessities was in 2022, when it set Android 8 because the minimal requirement for the most recent updates and discontinued assist for Android 7.

Android Auto model 15.5 is not a serious replace and primarily consists of bug fixes. In case you have a cellphone working Android 8, you will not be lacking out on a lot simply but. Nonetheless, this might change quickly, particularly as Google prepares to introduce Gemini to Android Auto.

It is value noting that whereas Android Auto will proceed to work on units working Android 8, there’s a likelihood that Google could finally discontinue assist totally. This implies not solely will Android 8 units not obtain Android Auto updates, nevertheless it may additionally cease functioning correctly, as has occurred previously with units working Android 7 and older.

Should you’re nonetheless working Android 8 and do not need to miss out on the most recent Android Auto updates, your primary choices are to replace to Android 9 in case your system helps it or to improve to a more recent system working a extra present model of Android, akin to Android 15 or Android 16.

For these new to Android Auto, it is an app that shows a few of your cellphone’s options in your automobile’s infotainment display screen. This enables safer use of sure apps whereas driving, together with navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps, in addition to music streaming providers akin to Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s much like Apple CarPlay, which provides a comparable expertise for iPhones.