Google has recently confirmed that the latest Chrome update (version 120) would be the last to support devices running Android Nougat or earlier. A similar move was also made by Google Calendar, which stopped working on older operating systems. It is worth mentioning that Nougat was initially released in 2016 and was the default Android version for the first generation of Pixel phones.
Now, from the code of the latest Android Auto update (version 11.0), we learn that this application will also take a similar path: users will soon be notified of the need to update to the next Android version. The new minimum requirement, as can be seen from the app code, will be Android Oreo .
Notifications on your devices and your car’s infotainment display
Android Auto will also display a similar alert on your car’s infotainment screen. Since these notifications are not yet active on the devices, it can be assumed that Android Auto will continue to work on Nougat for at least some time, but the situation seems likely to change soon.
In this context, it is strange that Google suggests users to “install system updates” or “update your phone”. If someone in 2023 is still using Android Nougat instead of a newer version, it’s almost certainly because there are no updates available for their device, not because they haven’t installed them.
For those looking for a good compromise between quality and price, the Pixel 7a represents a solid and accessible option, or it might be useful to consult our complete list of the best Android smartphones .
