Android Auto Now Requires Android 11 or Newer, Dropping Support for Older Phones

Google has officially raised the minimum Android version required to use Android Auto, ending support for phones running Android 9 Pie and Android 10.

The updated requirement is now listed on Google’s official Android Auto support page, which states that users need a phone running Android 11 or newer, along with an active data plan, to connect to a compatible car display using a USB cable.

Previously, wired Android Auto connections supported Android 9 and newer, while wireless connections already required Android 11 or later.

Older Samsung and Sony Phones Among Those Affected

The change follows reports from October 2026, when some Android Auto users started receiving notifications warning that their phones would soon stop being supported.

Affected devices reportedly include the Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9, and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact, all of which are limited to Android 10.

Google has now updated its documentation to reflect the new requirement. While the latest Android Auto app version 18.1 reportedly still supports Android 10, the updated system requirement means these older devices are no longer officially supported.

This isn’t the first time Google has raised Android Auto’s minimum requirements. Support for Android 6 was dropped in 2022, followed by Android 8 in 2024.

What Android Auto Users Need to Do

Users with phones running Android 9 or 10 should check whether their devices have an available software update. If their phones cannot be upgraded to Android 11, they’ll need a newer device to continue using Android Auto officially.

For those already running Android 11 or newer, there’s no change to the requirements.

Android Auto remains available in the Philippines, although Google notes that some features may not work when the service is used outside its supported countries.

The change may not affect most users with relatively recent smartphones, but it does mean drivers holding on to older Android devices may need to consider an upgrade if they rely on Android Auto for navigation, calls, messages, and music while driving.

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