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

You probably 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 should be working Android 9.0 or greater. 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 12 months later, and that’s lastly about to alter.

In response to 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 greater. This implies if in case you 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.

At present, whenever you go to the Google Play Retailer, Android Auto signifies it nonetheless helps Android 8.0 or greater, however this may change when Android Auto 15.5 launches, which may very well be inside the subsequent month or so, as it’s at present in its testing section earlier than a broader rollout.

Android 8 is not extinct but

It is attainable Android Auto might 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 response to 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 influence. 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. You probably 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 price noting that whereas Android Auto will proceed to work on units working Android 8, there’s a probability that Google could ultimately discontinue help solely. This implies not solely will Android 8 units not obtain Android Auto updates, however it may additionally cease functioning correctly, as has occurred up to now with units working Android 7 and older.

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