Android Auto Ends Support for Phones on Android 10 and Older

Millions of devices affected

The scale is considerable. AppBrain, which tracks more than 100 million active Android devices, shows roughly 4.8 million phones still on Android 10 and 3.6 million on Android 9. Some of their owners use Android Auto every day.

Models at risk include the Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9, the original Galaxy Fold, the OnePlus 5 and the original Google Pixel. Not every older phone is doomed: what counts is whether it can be updated to Android 11 or later. The Galaxy S22, Pixel 2 and OnePlus 6, for example, should not have a problem as long as they run a suitable version.

Limited options

The decision has drawn criticism. Some users argue Google could have simply stopped issuing updates for old devices rather than removing a service that still works. Others point to Apple, which still supports CarPlay on the iPhone 5 from 2012.

Those who want to keep their phone have a few routes. One is installing alternative software, such as an unofficial Android build that brings newer system versions, though this takes technical skill and care. Open-source alternatives to Android Auto also exist, but they may not match its features or convenience.

For most people, the simplest fix will be buying a newer phone. That means a working smartphone can lose a key feature not because of a fault, but because the manufacturer raised its system requirements.