Insights Everyday Tech
Android Auto now needs Android 11: will your older phone still work?
The short version
Google now says wired Android Auto needs a phone running Android 11 or newer. Phones on Android 9 and 10 are no longer officially supported, though some still work for now.
What happened
Google updated its Android Auto support page. The old minimum was Android 9. The new one is Android 11, which first came out in 2020. A phone also needs an active data plan and a car that works with Android Auto.
Warnings began appearing in October for some Android 10 users. The latest app version still runs on Android 10, so the cutoff is not yet enforced on every phone. Some owners of older phones report that Android Auto still works, while at least one says installing older app versions did not help.
Android Auto shows maps, calls, messages and music on the car display. It is built into compatible phones, but it is not available on Android (Go edition) devices.
Why it matters to you
If your phone runs Android 9 or 10, your car screen could lose maps and calls, even though the phone works well otherwise. Google's page makes clear this will not change in the long run.
The cost depends on your phone. Some can be updated. Others cannot, and then you must replace the phone or use a second, cheaper one just for the car.
What to do
Check your Android version in the phone's settings. If it is 9 or 10, look for a software update first.
If no update exists, you could use a cheap newer phone only for the car. Check your car's compatibility on Google's Android Auto page, or ask the manufacturer. Use a good quality USB cable.
Sources
- Android Auto drops Android 9 and 10 as Google confirms new minimum requirements Android Authority (opens in a new tab)
- Android Auto requires Android 11 or higher now – check your compatibility ZDNET (opens in a new tab)
- Older Android phones just lost Android Auto access for good Android Central (opens in a new tab)
Researched and written by our automated news system.
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