If you’re still using an Android phone from the late 2010s, Waze is about to leave you behind—at least when it comes to updates. Google has confirmed that the navigation app will stop receiving updates on devices running Android 9 Pie or earlier.
The change won’t render Waze unusable; the app will still launch, provide real-time traffic updates, and allow you to benefit from crowdsourced reports about accidents, speed traps, and road closures. However, without updates, you’ll miss out on any future features, bug fixes, or security patches.
Android 9 Pie debuted in 2018, so the affected group is relatively small. Still, if you’re clinging to older hardware like a Moto Z Force, this is another reminder that aging devices eventually lose support for apps you might use daily.
Waze, which Google acquired in 2013 for $1.3 billion, has long catered to drivers who prioritize the fastest possible route—even if it means weaving through back streets to save a minute or two. That approach contrasts with Google Maps, which generally keeps users on main roads unless traffic forces a detour.
In short: if you want to keep getting the latest Waze features, it might be time to consider upgrading your phone. Otherwise, your trusty old handset will still get you from point A to point B—just without whatever Waze cooks up next.
