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

When you have an older Android phone, there’s an opportunity it won’t help 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 working Android 9.0 or increased. Nonetheless, 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 vary.

In accordance 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 working Android 9.0 or increased. This implies when you’ve got a tool working 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 present, whenever you go to the Google Play Retailer, Android Auto signifies it nonetheless helps Android 8.0 or increased, 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 doable 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. In accordance with the newest 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 impression. 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 help for Android 7.

Android Auto model 15.5 is not a serious replace and primarily consists of bug fixes. When you have a cellphone working 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 price noting that whereas Android Auto will proceed to work on units working Android 8, there’s a likelihood that Google could ultimately discontinue help fully. This implies not solely will Android 8 units now not obtain Android Auto updates, but it surely may also cease functioning correctly, as has occurred previously with units working Android 7 and older.

Should you’re nonetheless working Android 8 and do not wish to miss out on the newest Android Auto updates, your primary choices are to replace to Android 9 in case your machine helps it or to improve to a more moderen machine working 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 automotive’s infotainment display. This enables safer use of sure apps whereas driving, together with navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps, in addition to music streaming providers resembling Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s just like Apple CarPlay, which gives a comparable expertise for iPhones.