Google has decided to force the installation of the latest Android Auto update. As a result, smartphones running Android 6 and 7, which could continue to take advantage of the platform provided they did not update the app, can no longer take advantage of the platform. Unless you opt for a newer device.
If some users of smartphones running Android 13 have reported bugs on Android Auto after migrating to the new OS, this recent change from Google may leave many people behind. Explanations.
Few months ago, Google has increased the system requirements to access Android Auto. If the minimum configuration required was to have a smartphone running Android 6 Marshmallow, you must now have a device running Android 8 Oreo or higher.
Despite these changes, users with an older device could continue take advantage of Android Auto by refusing to install the latest app updates. However, Google no longer allows this. In effect, the Mountain View firm forces these users to update the application from Android Auto to the latest version.
Google forces the installation of the latest Android Auto update
When you open an older version of the app, a window now appears prompting you to update the app. Unable to close window which prevents affected users from accessing Android Auto. This forced update pop-up appears for users of Android Auto version 7.0 to 7.7. And since Android Auto 7.4 was the last version to support devices running Android 7 Nougat or older, the latest version of the app will no longer work on these devices.
In other words, you will be forced to opt for a newer smartphone… or give up on Android Auto. Anyway, we suspect that Google imposes this update in anticipation of the deployment of the redesign of Android Auto.
Responding to the code name Coolwalk, this version should bring a new interface, with new icons and the permanent presence of musical controls. But above all, a multi-window mode is expected. We recently got a glimpse of Android Auto’s multi-window. It should allow up to 3 applications to be displayed at the same time, much like Apple CarPlay currently offers.
Source: Android Headlines