If you use an older tablet or mobile phone as your car's navigation system, take note: Waze is ending official support for Android 9 Pie and earlier versions . This change is already in effect for the latest builds and marks a turning point for thousands of devices still used as dashboard GPS.
The app will continue to function for now, but it will no longer receive updates or new features . This also means that bug fixes and security patches will not be released, with the risk that, at some point, an incompatibility could prevent the application from launching on older devices. However, essential services such as real-time traffic and community reports will continue.
Waze ends support for older versions: what's changed?
Waze, owned by Google, has raised its minimum Android requirement to version 10. This change is already visible in the beta version identified as v5.9.90, where Android Authority and APKMirror have verified that the app requires Android 10 instead of the previous threshold (Android 8.0/8.1 Oreo and 9 Pie). 9to5Google has also reported on the change and the pop-up notifications that Android 8 and 9 users are receiving within the app.
In-app messages confirm the end of support for Android 9 Pie : those who remain on that version or earlier will not receive future updates, new tools, or bug fixes. Current installations will continue to function , maintaining up-to-date maps and traffic data, but without the new features that will be released for Waze.
The policy change is immediate in the beta version . Based on the usual timelines for these updates, the transition from beta to the public version takes approximately one to two weeks . In other words, the stricter requirements could reach the stable version very soon.
This move aligns with Google's strategy of raising the bar year after year for its key apps (Chrome, Maps, Waze, etc.), leaving behind platforms that no longer receive system support. In fact, Chrome will stop receiving updates on August 5, 2025, for devices running Android 8 and 9 , making the outlook for very old devices increasingly difficult.
More context: Waze has been classified by the European Union as a VLOP (Very Large Online Platform) , exceeding 45 million users, and is estimated to have around 180 million monthly active users , far from Google Maps' more than 2.000 billion . Its reach and regulatory obligations under the Digital Services Act add pressure to maintain a secure and modern platform.
Which devices and users will be most affected
The impact is particularly noticeable on two fronts: older tablets used as GPS devices and Android infotainment systems that rarely receive updates . Many of these devices are released with very old versions of the operating system and remain stuck there, with no realistic option for upgrading to Android 10.
On mobile devices, Android 9 Pie is now a minority feature , and although there are still some devices in circulation, its presence is steadily decreasing. Even so, it has been reported that around 12,4% of Android users are still on Android 9 or earlier versions , which implies millions of potentially affected devices, especially when tablets and car screens are included.
Car audio system manufacturers often opt for older versions of Android due to their stability, lightweight design, and cost-effectiveness. This means that many systems installed in cars will remain on Android 8/9 for years, vulnerable to unpatched bugs due to a lack of support for critical apps like Waze.
Those who repurpose an old mobile phone as a navigation system will also notice the change: they can continue using Waze, but without the new features that are released or the bug fixes that appear. Over time, they might encounter unexpected crashes or incompatibilities that won't be resolved.
For fleets, taxi drivers, and delivery drivers relying on older equipment , the impact can be even greater. Maintaining software reliability in these contexts is crucial, and the lack of security patches and fixes can lead to unforeseen downtime at the worst possible moment.
What still works and what you lose from now on
Basic features like map updates and real-time traffic information continue to work . You'll still be able to see traffic jams, incidents, road closures, checkpoints, and hazards reported by the community, as well as receive routes adjusted based on road conditions.
The downside : there will be no new features or app updates. This includes bug fixes and security patches . In practice, if a server incompatibility, a change in permissions, or a critical library issue arises, there will be no update to fix it on Android 9 or earlier . It's the classic "it works until it doesn't."
Waze is known for its very immediate response to community reports , recalculating routes in response to recent incidents, even if they are isolated. This behavior, compared to Google Maps, which prioritizes route stability , results in more route changes, higher GPS/data usage, and often greater battery drain in Waze. This difference in philosophy will remain, but any new features that improve or expand these capabilities will no longer be available if you are using Android 9 or earlier.
Among the features you might miss out on if you stick with an older device are future AI-powered tools like more advanced voice reports , as well as dashboard integrations that Waze has been rolling out recently. To enjoy these features, you'll need a device running Android 10 or higher.
Remember that, although the service is still operational today , the lack of updates creates an uncertain future: a new dependency could block access at any time . Therefore, it's advisable to have a backup plan if you rely on Waze daily.
How to check your Android version and what options you have
First, check which version of Android your device is running . It's very simple and will only take a minute:
- Open Settings from the phone or tablet.
- Go to About phone o Device information.
- Locate the Android Version section.
- You will see the version number, for example Android 9 Pie or Android 10.
If you're on Android 10 or higher, you can continue updating Waze and receiving all the improvements. However, if you're still on Android 9 or earlier, you have three options :
- Continue using Waze as is, without updates. You'll still get real-time traffic, up-to-date reports, and maps, but you give up new tools and patches.
- Switch to Google Maps, that Maintains compatibility with Android 8 and later versionsYou will have step-by-step navigation, traffic information, alternative routes, download maps for offline use, POIs, reviews and recommendations.
- Upgrade hardware: Consider a current affordable mobile phone (Android 14/15) or a more modern compatible car system. It's the only way to ensure future support..
If you don't want to give up Waze and can't update right now , some users resort to tricks like preloading cached maps to minimize occasional connectivity issues. It's not the same as a full offline mode, but it can save you on a trip . Even so, it doesn't replace the security of having the app updated.
Consider the rest of the ecosystem : as we mentioned, Chrome will stop receiving updates on Android 8/9 after August 5, 2025. If you browse the web, install apps, or connect to services from that device , the lack of patches opens the door to security risks. Updating hardware is becoming a preventative measure , and not just because of Waze.
Waze vs. Google Maps: Key Differences and Alternatives
Waze stands out for its community and real-time alerts : traffic jams, hazards, closures, speed cameras, and checkpoints. Reports are shared immediately , and the algorithm reacts quickly, recalculating to avoid the problem, even if it's just a one-off.
Google Maps also integrates traffic reports and updates , but prioritizes route stability . It only adjusts routes if delays are significant or persistent. This results in fewer route changes and often lower data usage than Waze, which tends to make more steering inputs and uses GPS and data intensively.
If you're sticking with Android 8/9, Google Maps is the direct alternative . You retain robust features: turn-by-turn navigation, alternative routes, public transport , location information, opening hours, reviews, and offline downloads . Plus, it receives frequent updates on those versions, something Waze no longer provides.
Waze features you'll continue to enjoy while support lasts include location sharing and estimated time of arrival, customizing routes, and searching for gas stations or restaurants . And if you like to experiment, you can record your own voice for directions , activate more private modes, or sync your calendar to anticipate routes based on your appointments . However, you won't get any new features as they become available unless you update to Android 10+.
Important for those with compatible cars : Waze's data display on the instrument cluster is one of those recent integrations that enhances the experience, but it requires updated devices . With Android 9 or lower, you'll miss out on future updates in this area.
Why apps stop supporting older versions and what's the deadline for Waze's implementation?
There are technical, security, and cost reasons behind these cutbacks . With each new version of Android, developers gain modern APIs, performance improvements, and tools that don't exist on older platforms. Maintaining backward compatibility limits innovation and complicates development.
Another factor is security . Older versions of Android accumulate vulnerabilities that are no longer patched . If an app sensitive to location and traffic data, like Waze, relies on outdated systems , it increases risks for users and the platform itself, especially under regulations such as the Digital Services Act in the EU.
The cost of testing and maintenance skyrockets when multiple system levels need to be supported for years. With a shrinking critical mass on Android 8/9, concentrating resources on Android 10+ ensures faster and more stable evolution for the majority.
In the specific case of Waze , beta version 5.9.90 already mandates Android 10 as the minimum operating system , with internal notifications alerting users to the end of support for Android 9. Following the usual pattern, these changes transition from beta to stable release within one to two weeks . If you're still receiving updates on an older device, they will soon be discontinued.
One last practical point : although you can continue using what's already installed, the lack of stability fixes means that minor issues (crashes, permission errors, service incompatibilities) won't be resolved . For in-car devices with older Android systems, it's better to be proactive and plan for an update or alternative than to wait until you're stranded.
The situation sends a clear message: Waze will remain operational on older devices for an indefinite period, maintaining the basics (maps, traffic, reports) , but continuous improvements and the peace of mind of regular patches are only available on Android 10 or higher . If you use tablets or car screens with older versions, consider using Google Maps as a bridge or upgrading to current hardware to stay up-to-date with modern navigation.
