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

If 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 most recent variations of Android Auto, your cellphone would must be operating 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 keeping 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 operating Android 9.0 or larger. This implies if in case you have a tool operating 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, whenever you go to the Google Play Retailer, Android Auto signifies it nonetheless helps Android 8.0 or larger, however it will change when Android Auto 15.5 launches, which may very well be inside the subsequent month or so, as it’s at the moment in its testing part earlier than a broader rollout.

Android 8 is not extinct but

It is potential Android Auto may cease working solely on Android 8 in some unspecified time in the future

Though Android 8 was launched again in 2017, some folks nonetheless use it. In keeping 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 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 assist for Android 7.

Android Auto model 15.5 is not a significant replace and primarily consists of bug fixes. If in case you have a cellphone operating 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 operating Android 8, there’s a likelihood that Google could ultimately discontinue assist solely. This implies not solely will Android 8 units not obtain Android Auto updates, but it surely may also cease functioning correctly, as has occurred prior to now with units operating Android 7 and older.

When you’re nonetheless operating Android 8 and do not wish to miss out on the most recent Android Auto updates, your essential 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, similar 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 automotive’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 companies similar to Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s much like Apple CarPlay, which provides a comparable expertise for iPhones.