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 won’t help the newest variations of Android Auto for much longer. In July 2024, Google introduced that to run the most recent variations of Android Auto, your cellphone would must be working Android 9.0 or larger. Nevertheless, 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 yr later, and that’s lastly about to vary.

In response to 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 larger. This implies you probably 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.

At the moment, if 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 might 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 solely on Android 8 sooner or later

Though Android 8 was launched again in 2017, some folks nonetheless use it. In response to 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 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. When you’ve got 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 gadgets working Android 8, there’s a likelihood that Google might finally discontinue help solely. This implies not solely will Android 8 gadgets now not obtain Android Auto updates, but it surely may additionally cease functioning correctly, as has occurred prior to now with gadgets working Android 7 and older.

In case you’re nonetheless working Android 8 and do not wish to miss out on the newest Android Auto updates, your most important choices are to replace to Android 9 in case your gadget helps it or to improve to a more recent gadget working a extra present model of Android, equivalent 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 automotive’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 equivalent to Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s much like Apple CarPlay, which affords a comparable expertise for iPhones.