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 help 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 should be working Android 9.0 or larger. Nevertheless, it by no means truly made the change, and its newest updates continued to help Android 8.0 and above. Quick-forward greater than a yr later, and that’s lastly about to alter.

Based on 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 when you’ve got a tool working Android 8, you’ll not obtain the most recent Android Auto updates, and the final supported replace you possibly can obtain is Android Auto 15.4.

At the moment, once you go to the Google Play Retailer, Android Auto signifies it nonetheless helps Android 8.0 or larger, however this can 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 potential Android Auto might cease working fully on Android 8 sooner or later

Though Android 8 was launched again in 2017, some individuals nonetheless use it. Based on 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 proportion, it nonetheless has an affect. 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 help for Android 7.

Android Auto model 15.5 is not a significant 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. Nevertheless, 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 probability that Google might finally discontinue help fully. This implies not solely will Android 8 units not obtain Android Auto updates, however it may additionally cease functioning correctly, as has occurred previously with units working Android 7 and older.

If you happen to’re nonetheless working Android 8 and do not wish to miss out on the most recent Android Auto updates, your foremost 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, comparable 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. This permits safer use of sure apps whereas driving, together with navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps, in addition to music streaming providers comparable to Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s much like Apple CarPlay, which gives a comparable expertise for iPhones.