If you use your phone's maps and music on the car dashboard screen, Google has changed the rules. The tech giant now requires Android 11 or newer for Android Auto, whether you connect via cable or wirelessly. Phones still on Android 9 or 10 have been dropped from the supported list.
The quick rundown: Google's help page now states that Android Auto needs a phone running Android 11.0 or higher with an active data plan. Wireless connections also require a phone with 5 GHz Wi-Fi support and compatible car hardware. Checking your phone takes roughly 30 seconds.
To verify your Android version:
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Tap About phone.
- Look for Android version (sometimes found under Software information).
- If the number is 11 or above, you're good to go. If it's 10 or below, keep reading.
Google's official guidance recommends charging your device to at least 75% before updating, as updates can be substantial.
What exactly changed? Google's Get started with Android Auto support page now specifies that for cable connections, you need "An Android phone with Android 11.0 (Red Velvet Cake) or higher and an active data plan." For wireless projection, it states that any phone on Android 11.0 with 5 GHz Wi-Fi support will work.
Since Android Auto is built into the phone itself, there is no app to reinstall. What matters is the underlying Android version your device runs.
In simple terms, Android 11 launched back in 2020. If your phone is five years old or older and never received that update, it has fallen behind Google's new threshold — even if basic functions like calls and music playback still work fine.
Your phone is stuck on Android 10 or older. Now what?
First, check whether an Android 11 update is available. Some phones that originally shipped with Android 10 did receive Android 11 later. If an update appears in Settings under System then Software updates, install it over Wi-Fi while the phone is charging.
Second, many cars with Android Auto also include Bluetooth for calls and music, and some have built-in navigation. You may lose access to phone apps on the dashboard, but hands-free calling typically continues working through Bluetooth.
Third, consider upgrading to a newer phone. An old phone that cannot be updated likely also stopped receiving security patches, which is more critical than the car screen feature itself. TechCity's guides covering the best phones under $300 and the best phones under $500 highlight models with extended update support. Before purchasing, verify how long your manufacturer promises security updates — Samsung publishes such a list, which TechCity explains in its dedicated article.
Mounting an old phone on the dashboard and navigating apps while driving defeats the purpose of Android Auto entirely.