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November 9, 2026 • 2 min read
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Google has made a change to Android Auto that could affect owners of several older Samsung Galaxy phones. The company has quietly updated its minimum software requirements, meaning some Galaxy devices will no longer be able to use the in-car platform.
Android 11 is now the minimum requirement
Google has removed Android 9 Pie and Android 10 from its Android Auto compatibility list. This makes Android 11 the minimum supported version, including for wired connections. Wireless Android Auto already required Android 11, so the change primarily affects users who connect their phones to their cars using a USB cable.
Several older Galaxy phones are now affected. These include the Galaxy S9 series, Galaxy Note 9 series, and several other Galaxy devices that received Android 10 as their final major Android upgrade.
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Unfortunately, there isn’t an official software workaround for these phones. Samsung has ended major OS support for these models, meaning they cannot upgrade to Android 11 to meet Google’s new requirement. Users will have to switch to a newer smartphone if they want to continue using wired Android Auto.
It’s a frustrating situation for anyone who has held on to an older Galaxy phone because it still does everything they need. A phone doesn’t suddenly become unusable because it misses out on a newer Android version, but losing access to everyday features like Android Auto makes that decision a little harder.
I doubt many of you — if any — are still using one of these phones. But if you are, it might be time to consider an upgrade (you should check our phone deals section). You don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune on a flagship either. Even a newer budget Galaxy phone will offer better security, newer software, and longer support than these ageing devices.
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