Several Brazilian technology outlets reported on Monday that Android Auto is expected to stop working on smartphones running Android 10, a change that could affect millions of older devices. According to TudoCelular.com, the cutoff is expected to arrive soon, ending the app's availability on that version of the operating system.
The reports were echoed by Mundo Conectado, Canaltech, SempreUpdate and SpaceMoney, which similarly stated that Google may withdraw support for Android 10. Mundo Conectado framed the move as a possible block on Android Auto for millions of older handsets, while SempreUpdate focused on which phone models would be left out.
Android 10 was released by Google in 2019, and devices still running it are now several versions behind the current release. Dropping support for older Android versions is a routine step for app developers, since maintaining compatibility with aging software adds testing and security overhead. The reports did not specify an exact date for the change, nor did they list every affected device.
For drivers who rely on Android Auto for navigation, messaging and media in their cars, the practical effect would be the loss of the app on their current phones unless they upgrade to a newer device or operating system version.
What to watch next: whether Google confirms the change officially and publishes a timeline, along with a full list of the phone models that will lose access.
