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 won’t 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 have to be operating Android 9.0 or larger. Nevertheless, it by no means really made the change, and its newest updates continued to help Android 8.0 and above. Quick-forward greater than a 12 months 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 operating Android 9.0 or larger. This implies if in case you have a tool operating Android 8, you’ll now not obtain the most recent Android Auto updates, and the final supported replace you may obtain is Android Auto 15.4.

At present, while 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 may very well be inside the subsequent month or so, as it’s presently in its testing section earlier than a broader rollout.

Android 8 is not extinct but

It is attainable Android Auto might cease working totally on Android 8 sooner or later

Though Android 8 was launched again in 2017, some folks 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 share, 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 operating 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 price noting that whereas Android Auto will proceed to work on units operating Android 8, there’s a probability that Google could finally discontinue help totally. This implies not solely will Android 8 units now not obtain Android Auto updates, nevertheless it may also cease functioning correctly, as has occurred up to now with units operating Android 7 and older.

In the event you’re nonetheless operating 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 gadget helps it or to improve to a more recent gadget operating a extra present model of Android, corresponding 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 permits safer use of sure apps whereas driving, together with navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps, in addition to music streaming providers corresponding to Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s just like Apple CarPlay, which affords a comparable expertise for iPhones.