Google has officially increased the minimum Android version required for wired Android Auto connections to Android 11. This change means devices running Android 9 and Android 10 will no longer be officially supported. The updated language appears on the official Android Auto support page, shifting the baseline from the previous Android 9 Pie requirement.
An active data plan remains necessary for functionality. This move follows Google's pattern of phasing out older Android versions, having removed Android 6 in 2022 and Android 8 in 2024. Warnings began appearing in October 2026, signaling the impending cutoff for some Android 10 users.
Despite the new restrictions, Android Auto 18.1 continues to support Android 10 temporarily, though Google's documentation indicates this is not a long-term solution. The policy affects users with older devices like the Galaxy Note 9, which may still function temporarily but face eventual disconnection. Some users have attempted to install older Android Auto versions to bypass the restriction, but reports indicate this method is unreliable, with Google Play Services likely enforcing the limit regardless of app version.
Affected drivers express frustration over being forced into unnecessary hardware expenses, as their current phones remain capable of daily use. The change highlights a tension between maintaining security standards and preserving user accessibility for functional older devices.
Source: Android Central · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing