---
title: "Google Discontinues Android Auto on Android 9 and 10 Smartphones: Who Lost Access to Car Navigation and Calls"
description: "Google has raised the minimum requirements for Android Auto to Android 11. Smartphones on Android 9 and 10, including the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact, have officially lost access to car navigation and calls."
date: 2026-11-10T13:59:51.444Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/google-android-auto-android-11-minimum-requirements
tags: [google, android-auto, android-11, smartphone, car-infotainment, software-update]
author: "Roman V."
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Google Discontinues Android Auto on Android 9 and 10 Smartphones: Who Lost Access to Car Navigation and Calls

![Driver tapping the Google Maps icon on a car multimedia system touchscreen](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/10/google-android-auto-android-11-minimum-requirements/google-android-auto-android-11-minimum-requirements-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Google set Android 11 as the minimum OS version for Android Auto
- Smartphones on Android 9 and 10 completely lost access to the service
- Affected models include Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9, Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
- Between 2022 and 2026, the minimum requirement increased from Android 8 to Android 11
- The only way to restore access is an OS update or purchasing a new smartphone

Google has officially raised the minimum system requirements for Android Auto: connecting a smartphone to a car multimedia system now requires the Android 11 (Red Velvet Cake) operating system or a newer version. These changes are already reflected in the current documentation on the company's technical support page. Owners of devices running Android 9 (Pie) and Android 10 (Q) have completely lost the ability to use the service for navigation, phone calls, and media playback in the car. According to developers, more than 88 percent of active Android devices worldwide are already operating on Android 11 or fresher versions, but in practice, the update has affected millions of gadgets that stopped at Android 10.

### What Exactly Changed and How It Works

Previously, Android Auto supported devices running Android 9 and above. After the new requirements came into effect, the minimum threshold shifted forward by two generations—to Android 10. Wait, to Android 11. This means that smartphones that have not received an update to this version are physically unable to connect to the car system either via wire or wirelessly. In addition to the operating system version, 5 GHz Wi-Fi support remains mandatory for wireless connection to Android Auto. Users of affected devices are already reporting in open sources that the service stopped launching after updating the car head unit firmware or restarting the application.

### Which Models Are at Risk

Specific models for which Android 10 became the last officially available operating system version include the Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact. These and many other devices released in 2018–2019 received Android 10 as their final update and no longer receive security patches or new OS versions. For their owners, the only options to restore access to Android Auto are updating the firmware to Android 11 (if the device manufacturer provides such an option at all) or purchasing a more modern smartphone. In most cases, updating to Android 11 is unavailable for the listed models, effectively making them permanently incompatible with the car system.

### History of Gradual Requirement Increases

The current change is not the first in recent years. In 2022, Google set the minimum bar for Android Auto support at Android 8.0 Oreo, and in 2024 it raised this threshold to Android 9.0 Pie. Thus, over four years, the minimum requirement shifted from Android 8 to Android 11—three steps up. The company warned about upcoming changes back in October 2026: smartphone owners on Android 10 began receiving relevant notifications in the app interface. Now, in November, the changes are recorded in official documentation, making them legally and technically mandatory for all service users.

### Reasons for the Decision and Industry Context

Experts explain the drop in support for Android 10 by security and optimization considerations. The Android 10 operating system was released in September 2019, meaning that at the time of disconnection, it was already more than seven years old. During this time, numerous vulnerabilities have been fixed in the Android kernel, and the system architecture has changed significantly. Maintaining compatibility with outdated OS versions increases the attack surface and complicates testing. At the same time, modern tech giants, including Samsung and Google itself, currently offer up to seven years of system and security updates for their new smartphone models, making the transition to fresher hardware and software a logical step for the end user.

### What Owners of Affected Devices Should Do

Users whose smartphones run Android 9 or 10 are advised first to check for available updates in the device settings. If the manufacturer does not provide Android 11 for a specific model, the only working solution is to purchase a new smartphone that meets current requirements. Google does not provide alternative ways to bypass the restriction—such as custom firmwares, modifications, or workaround applications—and any unofficial solutions may violate terms of use and create additional data security risks.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Google отключила Android Auto на старых смартфонах: кто потеряет доступ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/google-vidklyuchila-android-auto-starih-smartfonah-1794306745.html) - Primary source. Confirms the increase of the minimum requirement to Android 11, the 88% device share, the 2022/2024 change history, and the 5 GHz Wi-Fi requirement for wireless connection.
- [Google отключила от Android Auto миллионы старых смартфонов: Android 9 и 10 больше не поддерживаются](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/11/09/google-otkliucila-ot-android-auto-milliony-staryx-smartfonov-android-9-i-10-bolse-ne-podderzivaiutsia.html) - Confirms the disconnection fact, names specific models (Samsung Galaxy S9, Note 9, Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact), mentions notifications in October. The 2022/2024 timeline is described with minor differences in wording, but the final outcome matches.
- [Google отключила важные функции на Pixel 4](https://megaobzor.com/Google-otkluchila-vazhnie-funkcii-na-Pixel-4.html) - Подтверждено по источнику megaobzor.com

## FAQ

### What is the minimum Android version now required for Android Auto?

Starting from November 2026, connecting a smartphone to Android Auto requires the Android 11 (Red Velvet Cake) operating system or a newer version.

### My Android 10 smartphone doesn't work with Android Auto. What should I do?

Check if an update to Android 11 is available in your device settings. If the manufacturer does not provide such a version for your model, the only solution is to purchase a new smartphone.

### Which specific models are affected by the shutdown?

Confirmed models include the Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact. All devices for which Android 10 became the last official OS version are also affected.

### Is 5 GHz Wi-Fi required for Android Auto?

Yes, for wireless connection to Android Auto, the smartphone must support Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz band. This requirement does not apply to wired USB connections, but the OS version must be Android 11 or higher.

### When did Google warn about the changes?

The company began sending notifications to Android 10 smartphone owners back in October 2026. Official documentation on the support page was updated in November 2026.