Google is pulling the plug on Android Au...

When you’ve got 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 cellphone would have to be operating Android 9.0 or increased. Nonetheless, 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 vary.

In accordance with 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 increased. This implies you probably have a tool operating Android 8, you’ll now not obtain the most recent Android Auto updates, and the final supported replace you possibly can 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 can change when Android Auto 15.5 launches, which could possibly 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 attainable Android Auto may cease working completely on Android 8 sooner or later

Though Android 8 was launched again in 2017, some folks nonetheless use it. In accordance with the most recent 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 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 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’ve got a cellphone operating 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 gadgets operating Android 8, there’s a probability that Google could finally discontinue assist completely. This implies not solely will Android 8 gadgets now not obtain Android Auto updates, however it may also cease functioning correctly, as has occurred prior to now with gadgets operating Android 7 and older.

When you’re nonetheless operating Android 8 and do not wish to miss out on the most recent Android Auto updates, your essential choices are to replace to Android 9 in case your machine helps it or to improve to a more moderen machine operating 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 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 companies similar to Spotify and YouTube Music. It’s much like Apple CarPlay, which presents a comparable expertise for iPhones.