Android Auto on phones with Android 8 is reaching its end. The new beta already requires Android 9

After more than a year of delays, Google has begun genuinely enforcing higher system requirements for Android Auto. The latest beta version 15.5 can no longer be installed on phones running Android 8.0 and 8.1 Oreo. Users of these older devices will thus remain on the current version without the possibility of updating, as reported by Android Authority.

Google long hesitated to enforce the change

The American company updated its official support page last July, stating the requirement for Android 9.0 or newer. In November, we informed you that Android Auto began displaying a message about ending support on some older devices.

Surprisingly, however, Google continued to publish updates compatible with Android 8.0 until now. Even the current listing in the Play Store still states a minimum requirement of Android 8.0 for regular users.

Beta 15.5 is the first with a real restriction

The change is evident when looking at the technical parameters of APK files. Android Auto 15.4 still supports Android 8.0, while the new beta version 15.5 already requires at least Android API 28, which corresponds to Android 9.0 Pie. This change is confirmed by both APKMirror listings and the application’s code itself.

It is not clear why Google waited more than a year to implement the announced change. A possible explanation is the gradual decrease in the number of affected devices. According to official statistics from April 2025, only 1% of active devices run on Android 8.0 and another 3% on version 8.1.

What this means for users

Owners of phones with Android 8.0 or 8.1 will not lose Android Auto immediately. The application will continue to function for them in its current version, but they will not receive any new features or security fixes. Beta version 15.5 is expected to reach the stable channel within the next few weeks.

For most users, the change will not pose a problem. Android 9.0 Pie was released in August 2018, more than six years ago.

Are you using Android Auto on a phone with Android 8?

Sources: Android Authority, 9to5Google