Android Auto Drops Support for Android 9 and 10
Google now requires Android 11 or later for wired Android Auto connections, leaving some older phones without access.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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Google has raised the minimum Android version for wired Android Auto to Android 11, up from Android 9 Pie. Android 9 and Android 10 phones are now outside the officially supported range, and affected users are reporting that Android Auto has stopped working.
Why it matters
Owners of older Android phones may lose a feature many rely on for navigation and calls while driving. The change follows earlier cutoffs that removed support for Android 6 in 2022 and Android 8 in 2024.
Google's support page now lists Android 11 as the minimum for wired connections, replacing Android 9 Pie. The support page does not state how many devices are affected by the change.
The players
Google is the developer of Android and Android Auto, the platform that projects phone apps onto car displays.
The details
Affected Android 10 users received warnings that their devices could not update to the required Android version. Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9, and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact officially topped out at Android 10, so those models are among those cut off.
Timeline
Early October 2026: Android 10 users began seeing warnings about losing Android Auto support.
November 9, 2026: Google confirmed Android 11 as the new minimum, leaving Android 9 and 10 unsupported.
Season Trajectory
Android Auto has previously removed support for Android 6 in 2022 and Android 8 in 2024, so this cutoff continues a recurring pattern. Each raise in the minimum version narrows the set of phones that can use wired Android Auto.
If your phone runs Android 9 or 10, wired Android Auto will no longer work, so you may need to update the phone or use another way to connect to your car. Check your Android version in settings before relying on the feature for navigation or calls.
The takeaway
Check your phone's Android version before your next drive to confirm wired Android Auto still works. If it runs Android 9 or 10, plan for an update or an alternative connection method.
Further reading
For more on how devices and software updates affect everyday gadgets, see Consumer Electronics.
More information
Read the full report on the Android 11 minimum requirement for Android Auto at Android Authority.
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