Google appears to be preparing to end Android Auto support for devices running Android 10, as consumers navigate growing uncertainty over smartphone compatibility with vehicles amid mixed signals from automakers.
The details: Android users are sharing posts on Reddit suggesting their phones will no longer support Android Auto, including one individual using a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 running Android 10 in a 2023 Kia Rio, according to How to Geek.
The posts warn that Android Auto will stop working because the devices cannot upgrade to the required Android version.
The change could potentially end affected users’ access to music and Google Maps navigation through Android Auto, with Google possibly making Android 11 the new minimum requirement.
Recent figures indicate that Android 10 and Android 9 Pie account for more than 12% of active devices, meaning the change could affect millions of users worldwide.
Why it matters: Changes to Android Auto compatibility could create confusion for vehicle owners and prospective buyers, putting greater pressure on dealers to explain smartphone integration requirements, demonstrate infotainment features, and address connectivity concerns during sales and service visits.
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Between the lines: Reports that Google could end support for older Android versions add to lingering uncertainty over smartphone integration as more automakers look to prioritize their own infotainment offerings.
Following previous reports that GM would phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the automaker is now preparing to launch a split-screen interface with Android Auto in the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups.
Tesla and Rivian have never supported CarPlay, with Tesla reportedly testing the Apple smartphone integration amid app compatibility issues and low adoption rates, per Engadget.
Bottom line: As smartphone compatibility requirements evolve and automakers take different approaches to in-vehicle connectivity, dealers could face more questions from buyers about which features their vehicles support, making clear communication and technology demonstrations increasingly important to the customer experience.
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