From its next update cycle, Waze will require at least Android 10 to run the latest version. That will leave older devices stuck on their current build with no new features or security patches.

Waze is a free, community-driven navigation app. It uses real-time, crowdsourced data from its users to provide traffic updates, route suggestions, and hazard alerts. It was developed by the Israeli startup Waze Mobile, founded in 2008. The app gained global popularity before being acquired by Google in 2013 for about US$1.1 billion (A$1.7 billion).

While the app will continue to function for now, the changes will reportedly roll out in the coming weeks.

The decision mirrors a trend among app makers to accelerate the retirement of older OS versions, citing the cost and complexity of maintaining backwards compatibility alongside modern development frameworks.

The legacy support golden days appear to be over

Dropping legacy support has clear upsides for developers. Upsides that include fewer versions to maintain, access to newer APIs, and the ability to ship features without worrying about outdated hardware limits. It can also improve security, as older operating systems often go unpatched.

But there are trade-offs. It’s estimated that around 5%-10% of Android devices are still running Android 9 or earlier. In regions or sectors where device turnover is slower, dropping legacy support can mean customers losing access to essential services or being nudged into premature upgrades.

Nonetheless, Google, Meta, and Microsoft have all shortened their OS support windows in recent years, especially in mobile apps, to align with faster product cycles and security best practices.

For Australians with up-to-date smartphones, the change will barely register. Nonetheless, it’s another sign that the days of running apps indefinitely on ageing devices are numbered. The tech industry is increasingly prioritising streamlined development and security over long-term backward compatibility.