Android Auto now requires a phone running Android 11 or newer, leaving Android 9 and Android 10 phones outside Google’s supported versions. Google quietly changed the minimum on its Android Auto help page, which now asks for “Android 11.0 (Red Velvet Cake) or higher and an active data plan”.
The change mostly hits drivers who plug their phone into the car with a USB cable. Wireless Android Auto already needed Android 11.
Until now, the minimum was Android 9. Android Authority spotted the updated page, and Android Police reports that Google started warning Android 10 users in October 2026 that their phones would soon stop working with Android Auto. Google hasn’t given an exact date for when every affected phone loses access, but some users say the service already doesn’t work on theirs.
For phones that can’t be updated to Android 11, there’s no real workaround. Android Police says you’ll likely need a newer Android phone to keep using Android Auto. Our guide to the best phones under AED 1,500 is a good place to start. The Samsung Trade-In guide explains what an old handset can be worth towards a new one. Google’s page also says Android Auto isn’t available on Android (Go edition) devices.
Android Auto is the latest reminder that ageing phones lose more than security patches. The Nothing Phone (1) reaches the end of its software support after four years. Android 12 and 13 received no fix for the “SMS of Death” flaw. Android Auto is built into phones rather than downloaded separately.
FAQ
Which Android versions are outside Android Auto’s support?
Android 9 and Android 10 are outside Google’s supported versions. Google now lists Android 11 as the minimum.
How do I check my Android version?
Open your phone’s Settings and look for the “About phone” section, where the Android version is listed. Menu names differ between phone makers.
