Google has raised the minimum Android version required to use Android Auto with a USB cable. With the new requirement, users who want to connect their phones to their vehicle's display via cable must have Android 11 or a newer version.
Previously, the lower limit for wired Android Auto was Android 9 Pie. The first signs of the change appeared at the beginning of October when some Android 10 users began seeing warnings upon connecting to their vehicles that support would soon end.
Devices expected to be left without support include models such as the Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9, and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact. Since the final official operating system version for these devices is Android 10, it does not appear possible for them to meet the new software requirement.
While some users have reported that Android Auto has stopped working on their phones, Google has not announced a definitive cutoff date that covers all devices. Therefore, the transition is expected to be felt gradually depending on the device and software status.
Users can check the Android version on their phones via the Settings > About phone > Android version menu. Phones for which the manufacturer provides an Android 11 or newer update can meet the new requirement following a system update.
For wireless Android Auto usage, the software version alone is not sufficient. In addition to a compatible vehicle multimedia system, the phone also requires 5 GHz Wi-Fi support and an active mobile data plan.
News Source: 12punto
