Google’s latest Android Auto update mandates a minimum operating system of Android 9 Pie, effectively ending support for millions of older smartphones and tablets used for in-car connectivity.
Devices running Android 8 (Oreo) or earlier will cease to function with Android Auto once updated to version 15.5. This change will affect users who repurposed older mobile devices as dedicated in-car infotainment systems.
The tech giant had announced more than a year ago that devices running Android 8 would eventually lose support. Google took over a year to implement this requirement, which is now rolling out with the Android Auto 15.5 update.
Android Oreo (8.0) was released eight years ago. Despite its age, an estimated 1.8% of Android smartphones are still expected to be running Android 8.0 by September 2025.
In contrast, Android 9 Pie currently holds a market share of 2.82% among Android operating systems. Users with smartphones acquired between 2017 and 2019 are likely to have Android 9 and will retain Android Auto functionality.
Recent years have seen a faster pace of Android updates, with most manufacturers offering between four and seven years of software support for their newer devices.
The beta version of Android Auto 15.5 is already available, with the stable release expected to reach all compatible devices in the coming weeks.