Waze currently lists Android 10 as its minimum supported Android version. That is a compatibility threshold, not an announced universal shutdown date: Waze’s help page does not say when every older Android installation will stop working. If Waze says your phone is incompatible, check for a system update and search Google Play on that device before deciding whether you need a replacement.
What Waze’s Android compatibility change means
Waze’s Availability and cost page currently lists “Android: OS 10 and above.” The page states the supported version requirement, but does not give a date when all phones running older Android versions will lose access or when an existing installation will stop working. Requirements can change, so check Waze’s live page for the current threshold.
The wording “My phone isn’t compatible no more” appeared in one Waze Community thread opened December 12, 2025. That individual report is not evidence that all older phones were removed at once. A Waze Product Expert replied that support for older devices can end and advised using a newer compatible device; community guidance is not a universal replacement directive.
Requirements beyond Android version
Waze says a device must have GPS and GSM/3G/4G/5G connectivity to work correctly. Meeting the Android version threshold alone therefore does not establish that a phone will work as intended.
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- Android: OS 10 or above, according to Waze’s current help page.
- Location: working GPS.
- Connectivity: GSM/3G/4G/5G connectivity.
How to check whether your phone can still run Waze
- Check the installed Android version. Open your phone’s system settings and look for its Android version information. Menu names vary by manufacturer.
- Check for a system update. If the manufacturer offers an update that brings the phone to Android 10 or later, install it and then check Waze again.
- Search Google Play on the phone itself. Waze identifies Google Play as its Android download channel. Availability for the specific device is a useful compatibility check.
- Check GPS and mobile connectivity. Confirm that location services and cellular service work on the phone, since Waze lists both GPS and GSM/3G/4G/5G connectivity as requirements.
If Waze is unavailable on your older phone
If the phone cannot be updated to Android 10 or later, or Waze is not available for it in Google Play, look for an Android phone that supports Waze. Before choosing one, verify that the particular device meets Waze’s listed Android, GPS, and cellular-connectivity requirements. The available information does not establish compatibility for any specific phone model.
Waze’s official help page does not recommend sideloading an older APK as a fix, and it does not establish that an older app version will keep working. Treat that route as unverified rather than an official solution.
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Waze costs and mobile data
Waze is free to download and use, but carrier or phone data rates may apply. Waze cautions that continuous use could consume a lot of data; actual use varies with the route and other conditions.
Quick Recap
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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