Following the phaseout of Google Chrome and Calendar on Android devices from 2016 and earlier, Android Auto updates may also soon be unavailable for Android 7.0 and 7.1 phones.
New details from the Android Auto version 11.0 reveal that the app will soon stop its live support on devices running older versions than Android Oreo, 9to5Google reported.
For perspective, Android Oreo was released in 2017 during the release of Google Pixel 2 phones.
Also Read: Signal Will No Longer Support Android SMS Integration
Android 7.0 Users May Receive Warning Notifications from Android Auto Soon
Reports suggest that a message notification will be sent to Android Auto users on older devices to "update your phone to the latest version of Android."
A similar warning will be displayed on the car's infotainment screen.
It remains unclear when Android Auto's latest version will cease operating on older devices. The version 11.0 update has recently rolled out the past week.
As of writing, Google is still supporting Android Auto on Android 7.0 and 7.1 devices.
Why Does Google Stop Live Supports for Older Android Devices?
This was not the first time Google has stopped supporting updates and live services for older Android devices, nor it will be the last time.
The move aligns with Google's focus on security as older Android versions are more vulnerable to attacks and data breaches. These vulnerabilities are part of the version's programming and cannot be easily removed.
Just a few months back, security experts found an exploit on older Android devices allowing hackers to hijack devices via the Google Calendar.
Google has since stopped providing updates for both Google Chrome and Calendar for these devices.
Removing and securing older Android versions would be time-consuming and costly to accomplish, not to mention providing risks leading to performance issues.
Android devices that stopped receiving live support will no longer receive security updates, making them more prone to breaches.
It is recommended to update the device as soon as possible or to acquire a new phone that supports newer Android versions.
Related Article: Google Calendar Now Vulnerable to Hacking Exploits
