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

When you’ve got an older Android phone, there’s an opportunity it may not assist the newest 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 assist Android 8.0 and above. Quick-forward greater than a yr later, and that’s lastly about to alter.

In keeping with Auto Evolution, with the newest 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 when you’ve got a tool operating Android 8, you’ll now not obtain the newest Android Auto updates, and the final supported replace you’ll be able to 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 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 doable 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 individuals nonetheless use it. In keeping with the newest Android distribution figures, about 4 % of customers are nonetheless on Android 8, with one % utilizing Android 8.0 and three % 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 newest updates and discontinued assist for Android 7.

Android Auto model 15.5 is not a serious replace and primarily consists of bug fixes. When you’ve got 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 likelihood that Google might ultimately discontinue assist solely. This implies not solely will Android 8 units now not obtain Android Auto updates, however it may additionally cease functioning correctly, as has occurred prior to now with units operating Android 7 and older.

If you happen to’re nonetheless operating Android 8 and do not need to miss out on the newest Android Auto updates, your fundamental choices are to replace to Android 9 in case your machine helps it or to improve to a more recent machine operating a extra present model of Android, resembling 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 companies resembling Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s just like Apple CarPlay, which provides a comparable expertise for iPhones.