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 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 must 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 yr later, and that’s lastly about to alter.

In line 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 greater. This implies in case you have a tool working Android 8, you’ll now not obtain the newest Android Auto updates, and the final supported replace you may obtain is Android Auto 15.4.

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

Android 8 is not extinct but

It is doable Android Auto may cease working totally on Android 8 sooner or later

Though Android 8 was launched again in 2017, some folks nonetheless use it. In line 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 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 help 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 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 likelihood that Google might finally discontinue help totally. This implies not solely will Android 8 units now not obtain Android Auto updates, however it may additionally cease functioning correctly, as has occurred previously 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 newest Android Auto updates, your foremost choices are to replace to Android 9 in case your gadget helps it or to improve to a more moderen gadget working 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 automobile’s infotainment display screen. This enables safer use of sure apps whereas driving, together with navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps, in addition to music streaming providers similar to Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s just like Apple CarPlay, which affords a comparable expertise for iPhones.