Google has recently announced a new requirement for Android Auto users that might leave some older phone owners in a lurch. If you are still using a phone with Android 8 or older, you may encounter issues when trying to access Android Auto in your car. This requirement, which was announced this summer, stipulates that users must be on Android 9.0 or newer to use the platform.
Reports from 9to5Google indicate that users with phones running older operating system builds are now receiving error messages when attempting to connect to Android Auto. For example, one LG V30 user from 2017 was met with a popup stating, “This phone no longer supports Android Auto,” along with a message instructing them to update to the latest version of Android. This can be particularly frustrating for users with older devices like the V30, especially considering that LG has exited the smartphone market and no longer provides software support.
Statistics from StatCounter show that just over 4 percent of Android users worldwide are still on builds older than Android 9.0. While not all of these users may utilize Android Auto, it serves as a reminder that holding onto older devices can lead to software compatibility issues over time.
In response to this, both Google and Samsung have committed to providing longer software support for their devices in an effort to compete with Apple’s renowned support for older iPhones. However, this recent development highlights the importance of keeping your phone up to date to avoid any disruptions in services like Android Auto.
As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for users to stay abreast of software requirements and updates to ensure a seamless user experience across different platforms. Android Auto users should take note of this new requirement and consider upgrading their devices to maintain compatibility with the latest software offerings.
