Android Auto drops Android 8 Oreo for older Xiaomi and Redmi phones

Google has officially announced that starting August 5, 2025, smartphones running Android 8.0 and 8.1 Oreo will no longer receive Android Auto updates. For most users, it’s the platform moving forward; for owners of older Xiaomi and Redmi models, it marks the end of an era.

According to Nikkei Asia, support is ending for 19 devices, including the Mi 5, Mi 6 and Redmi Note 4—handsets released back in 2016–2018. The updated Android Auto 15.5 now requires Android 9 Pie or newer to access all the latest features. Google presents the move as a technical necessity rather than an arbitrary cutoff: future capabilities, including integration with the Gemini AI assistant, need faster processors and stronger security—things Android 8 simply doesn’t provide.

Google is open about its direction in automotive tech becoming increasingly AI-driven. New versions of Android Auto will lean on smarter navigation, proactive prompts and richer driver interaction—features that only make sense on modern hardware. In practice, this shift lays the groundwork for an ‘AI decade’ in cars, with the phone acting as the digital brain of the vehicle.

Owners of older Xiaomi phones still have stopgaps: staying on Android Auto 15.5, using Bluetooth for calls and music, or—more practically—upgrading to a newer device. Current models like the Xiaomi 17 or POCO F8 with HyperOS 3, based on Android 16, will be fully compatible with Android Auto and Google’s upcoming AI services. Xiaomi itself is already moving in that direction, emphasizing deeper integration with Google’s ecosystem and longer support commitments.

The decision may feel tough, yet it fits a broader trend: smartphone makers are extending support lifecycles while rapidly rolling AI into everyday features. Users of older Xiaomi devices will notice the change now; over time, it points to smarter cars, more reliable device-to-car connections and safer digital interactions behind the wheel.