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 may not assist 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 telephone would must 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 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 operating Android 9.0 or larger. This implies you probably have a tool operating 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, if 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 could possibly be throughout 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 fully on Android 8 in some unspecified time in the future

Though Android 8 was launched again in 2017, some individuals 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 assist for Android 7.

Android Auto model 15.5 is not a serious replace and primarily consists of bug fixes. When you have a telephone 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 gadgets operating Android 8, there’s a likelihood that Google might ultimately discontinue assist fully. This implies not solely will Android 8 gadgets not obtain Android Auto updates, but it surely may also cease functioning correctly, as has occurred up to now with gadgets operating Android 7 and older.

If you happen to’re nonetheless operating Android 8 and do not wish 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, comparable to Android 15 or Android 16.

For these new to Android Auto, it is an app that shows a few of your telephone’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 comparable to Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s just like Apple CarPlay, which affords a comparable expertise for iPhones.