Android Auto on Android 10 Reportedly Faces Major Support Cut

• Google is reportedly preparing to end Android Auto support for phones running Android 10 or older.
• Android 11 could become the new minimum Android version for wired Android Auto connections.
• Google has not officially announced any change to Android Auto’s current requirements yet.

Android Auto on Android 10 could reportedly be coming to an end, as Google is said to be preparing a higher minimum Android version requirement. If the reported change goes ahead, phones running Android 10 or older may no longer be supported.

The reported change would mainly affect wired Android Auto users. Wireless Android Auto already requires Android 11, while current wired support starts with Android 9 Pie. However, Google has not announced this change, so the reported requirement should not be treated as official yet.

Android Auto on Android 10 Could End With Android 11 Requirement

According to the reports, Google is preparing to make Android 11 the new minimum Android version for wired Android Auto. This would raise the requirement from Android 9 Pie, which is currently supported for wired connections.

Wireless Android Auto already requires Android 11. If the reported change is introduced, the same Android version could become the minimum requirement for both wired and wireless Android Auto use. This would also follow the broader trend of apps and services dropping support for older Android versions, as seen with apps dropping Android 11 and below.

Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 Could Be Affected

The reported change could affect older phones that officially stopped at Android 10. Samsung‘s Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 are among the devices in this position.

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is also in the same position, having officially stopped at Android 10. These phones could therefore lose Android Auto support if Android 11 becomes the minimum requirement for wired connections. The change would also highlight why Android OS support years by brand remain important when considering how long an older phone can continue receiving software support.

Google Has Not Announced the Android Auto Requirement Change

It is important to note that Google has not announced the reported Android Auto requirement change. The current reports indicate that Android 11 could become the minimum version for wired Android Auto, but there is no official confirmation of the change at this stage.

Until Google makes an official announcement, Android Auto users on Android 10 or older should not assume that support has already been removed.

What This Could Mean for Older Android Phones

If the reported requirement becomes official, phones that cannot move beyond Android 10 could be affected. This includes the Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9 and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact mentioned above.

For now, the key point is that Android 11 could become the new minimum for wired Android Auto, while wireless Android Auto already requires Android 11. Google has yet to officially confirm the change.

Conclusion

Google is reportedly preparing to raise the minimum Android version for wired Android Auto from Android 9 Pie to Android 11. This could affect phones such as the Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9 and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact, which officially stopped at Android 10. However, Google has not announced the change, so the reported requirement remains unconfirmed.