Five “discreet” smartphones excluded from Android Auto: an urgent update is needed!

In 2025, the technological revolution continues its course and no longer leaves room for devices considered too old, including in the connected automotive field. Google has just deployed Android Auto 15.5, forcing drivers to use a smartphone running at least Android 10 to ensure a smooth navigation and usage experience. This update confirms the imminent exclusion of many “discreet” and popular smartphones, among which some still highly sought-after models are included. This decision raises many questions about smartphone compatibility and pushes users to consider a rapid migration to recent models. With stronger expectations on smartphone security and the performance of embedded systems, the time has come to adapt and urgently update many mobile devices. This shift impacts both mobile applications dedicated to the road and voice interactions or advanced graphical management of screens in automobiles.

For automotive technology enthusiasts and regular drivers, it becomes crucial to understand the stakes of this exclusive Android Auto update and to grasp the implications for their own smartphone. Which devices are precisely concerned? What solutions do manufacturers offer? How to ensure the continuity of the functionalities provided by Android Auto in a context where safety and stability are at the core of requirements? This dossier offers a comprehensive analysis of this major update and the exclusion of certain smartphones encountering technical limits today.

Why Google is abandoning smartphones stuck on Android 8.0 and 9.0 for Android Auto

The giant Google has triggered a real shockwave in the automotive embedded systems sector by announcing that, starting from Android Auto 15.5, only smartphones equipped with Android 10 or more recent will be supported. This decision is primarily based on technical and security considerations, natural ramifications of the constant evolution of mobile technologies and mobile applications used daily.

Versions prior to Android 10, notably Android Oreo (8.0) and Pie (9.0), were long appreciated for their stability in a fixed context. However, they lack the necessary software infrastructure to efficiently and securely integrate the continuous improvements of Android Auto: smooth animations, advanced multitasking management, deep voice integration, and especially smooth graphical synchronization visible on digital dashboards. The older systems, limited by their libraries and components, therefore prevent optimal operation, opening the door to annoying bugs and problematic issues for safety.

As an example, the temporary disappearance of the GameSnacks mini-game collection on certain smartphones at the launch of the update revealed that Google was deeply rethinking the compatibility of its services. This malfunction, although temporary, highlighted generational fractures on Android in the automotive context. The new version guarantees a solid and modern foundation for a growing fleet of recent devices, but it leaves users of older smartphones on the sidelines.

The implications of this update therefore go beyond simple technical incompatibility: it is a qualitative leap toward better smartphone security while driving, reducing risks of interference or failures, and enriching the user experience. Google wants to ensure that embedded systems connect only with devices capable of maintaining flawless stability, essential for the integrity of the functionalities made available in these environments, often linked to driving.

Concretely, what does this mean for the users concerned?

Firstly, it should be understood that from now on, any smartphone unable to upgrade to Android 10 will be purely and simply incompatible with Android Auto as of 2025. This should cause an immediate break for users of “discreet” or “old” phones that still delight certain consumers or professionals.

In particular, devices locked on Oreo or Pie will no longer receive any software updates capable of maintaining compatibility with Android Auto. The result: a black screen during connection, synchronization problems, or simply the impossibility of accessing navigation, music, or call management functions from the dashboard.

Facing this evolution, Google recommends opting for a recent smartphone, likely to guarantee optimal stability and security. However, this change is perceived differently depending on the user profile: between those who regularly replace their mobile and those often equipped with more modest devices or older flagships still well functioning. The latter group faces double trouble with the progressive exclusion from technologies now essential in the automotive context.

This new scenario thus highlights the urgent need for some drivers and enthusiasts to anticipate the renewal of their equipment. The impact does not concern only GPS navigation or music, but also subtler interactions made possible by the latest software updates, such as a smart voice assistant capable of responding to specific situations encountered while driving.

List of discreet smartphones now excluded from Android Auto: a worrying overview in 2025

Among the victims of this strict policy, five emblematic models continue to fuel the debate on planned obsolescence and the need for an urgent update for the affected users. Here is a detailed overview of these discreet smartphones which, despite their past popularity, are now banned from Android Auto:

• Samsung Galaxy S7: First generation of the Galaxy series, this smartphone is stuck on Android 8.0 Oreo. Although it can physically connect to the system via USB cable, the screen remains hopelessly black, making GPS navigation or managing embedded applications impossible.
• OnePlus 3: Symbol of an affordable flagship in 2016, the OnePlus 3 remained stuck without updates beyond Android Oreo. The loss of compatibility with Android Auto leads to its outright exclusion, while its successor, the OnePlus 12, is fully compatible with Android 15.
• Xiaomi Mi 5: Competing with the biggest names, this flagship model from 2016 did not evolve beyond Android 8.0 and no longer benefits from support for Android Auto. However, the Xiaomi 14 restores access to modern functions, ensuring a smooth transition for users.
• Huawei P10: Launched in 2017, this smartphone has proven itself, but its compatibility is now obsolete in face of Android Auto 15.5 requirements. Huawei offers the Pura 70 model as a solution for drivers wishing to extend the use of the platform without restrictions.
• Google Pixel original: The first of its name launched in 2016, it closes the list of excluded smartphones. Replacing this phone with the Pixel 9 opens the door to the latest innovations, including wireless connection to Android Auto and the Gemini technology, offering intelligent suggestions and improving the driving experience.

This list highlights a worrying phenomenon: many users still have these discreet smartphones in hand, underestimating the impact of software updates and automotive safety. For these drivers, change is necessary to benefit from robust and secure features.

The crucial role of software updates in smartphone security and automotive technology

In 2025, software updates play a key role in maintaining the compatibility of embedded systems with smartphones. Android Auto, as the preferred interface between the car and the phone, strongly depends on regular evolution to integrate advanced features and improve smartphone security.

The changes brought by Android Auto 15.5 embody a clear willingness to strengthen stability and data protection. The removal of support for older minor Android versions corresponds to a security requirement. Older systems have exploitable vulnerabilities, and continuing to support them would pose an increased risk of malfunctions or malicious attacks. Modern automotive technology thus calls for updated smartphones, capable of efficiently managing data exchanges, voice recognition, and multimedia playback.

In a context where distracted driving is a major concern, these updates also offer better integration of voice functions, reducing the need for tactile interaction. The strengthening of mobile applications in the automotive space optimizes this ergonomics while keeping the driver focused on the road.

A concrete example, the reconfiguration of GameSnacks causing a brief disappearance on Android Auto highlights the fragility of older platforms. The rapid reintegration of this classic app illustrates the ongoing dynamic of necessary corrections for a flawless experience. Updates therefore not only maintain compatibility but also fix bugs and add indispensable functions for better smartphone management in the car.

Aspect	Before Android 10	After Android 10	Impact
Animations and graphical synchronizations	Limited, sometimes slow	Fluid, dynamic, and responsive	Improved user interface
Support for voice functions	Basic and unreliable	Advanced with contextual recognition	Reduced distraction while driving
Compatibility with third-party applications	Often restricted	Wide and evolving	Better app integration
Data security	Known vulnerabilities	Strengthened systems and regular updates	Protection against attacks

These stakes show how imperative it is to stay up to date to travel in peace of mind. Smartphone security, interaction fluidity, and management of enhanced features rely on a modernized software base.

How to choose a smartphone suitable for Android Auto in 2025?

For drivers looking for a new smartphone compatible with Android Auto, several criteria are essential in 2025. Compatibility with Android 10 or more recent is obviously the first step. However, processor power, operating system stability, and update responsiveness also become determining factors.

Recent smartphones often integrate connectivity modules optimized for wireless communication with embedded systems. Moreover, the presence of efficient voice assistants facilitates management in the car, reducing manipulations while driving. It is also recommended to favor a device benefiting from regular software updates, guaranteeing continuous access to the latest features and security patches.

A real challenge is the lifetime of the phone: opting for a flagship or a recent mid-range device with a good update history helps maintain long-term compatibility with Android Auto. Choosing a “discreet” smartphone, that is, something unflashy but reliable, can be wise — provided it is technically up to date, avoiding those stuck on outdated system versions.

To master this choice, several lists of criteria should be considered:

• Minimum supported Android version 10
• Availability of security updates for at least 3 years
• Ability to handle wireless Android Auto connection
• System responsiveness and smoothness in a multitasking context
• Native support for voice assistant and integration of commands
• Quality of the touchscreen compatible with the automotive environment

Choosing a smartphone that precisely meets these criteria helps ensure durable compatibility, avoiding Android Auto exclusions and guaranteeing an optimal user experience, both in terms of smartphone security and comfort of use.

Solutions and alternatives for smartphones excluded from Android Auto

Faced with the exclusion of models stuck on Android 8.0 or 9.0, some manufacturers and developers propose temporary or alternative solutions to circumvent these limitations:

1. Software upgrade: Some manufacturers try to offer custom updates, notably custom ROMs, to upgrade smartphones stuck on older versions to Android 10 or above. However, this option requires a certain level of technical skill and carries risks related to stability and warranty.
2. Third-party applications for Android Auto: Alternative compatible applications, sometimes less demanding, allow usage of some functions similar to Android Auto, but they do not always guarantee the same security or integration.
3. Connected accessories: Some manufacturers develop intermediary tools, such as devices connected between the smartphone and the vehicle, to facilitate the link even with older models. These devices nevertheless add extra cost and are not universally compatible.
4. Smartphone replacement: The safest option, migrating to a recent smartphone compatible with Android 10 or above is essential to enjoy a seamless experience and guarantee urgent updates of services.

These alternatives each have advantages and disadvantages. For example, software upgrades often require significant involvement while some accessories may remain limited in functionality. Investing in a new smartphone remains the most sustainable solution to secure long-term compatibility with Android Auto and benefit from the latest advances in automotive technology.

Technological trends towards better smartphone-automobile integration

Beyond current requirements in terms of Android versions, the trend in 2025 clearly moves towards deeper integration of smartphones with cars. Future software updates will not only ensure compatibility but will enrich the experience by embedding artificial intelligence and 5G or 6G connectivity.

Mobile applications are evolving towards even more sophisticated voice assistants capable of anticipating the driver’s needs. Voice control increases smartphone safety and significantly reduces manual interactions while driving. Remote piloting of vehicle functions via smartphone also becomes a reality, thanks to advances in intelligent embedded systems.

Furthermore, heads-up displays and holographic interfaces are set to revolutionize how Android Auto integrates into the driving cockpit, imposing increased requirements of fluidity and power on compatible smartphones. Thus, compatibility will no longer be only a matter of Android version but also hardware architecture and computing capabilities.

The challenge for Google and manufacturers is to offer secure and regular software updates while fostering a transition towards discreet but technologically advanced smartphones, offering a perfect balance between simplicity and performance. These developments raise questions about the sustainability of the current fleet and the massive adoption of new technologies within connected vehicles.

Environmental and economic issues related to the Android Auto exclusion of old smartphones

This exclusive update also has indirect consequences on environmental and economic considerations related to smartphones. On one hand, the obligation to change phones for some users may seem to contribute to increased consumption and thus to the production of electronic waste. However, this trend is offset by the growing willingness of manufacturers and tech players to promote durable, repairable models benefiting from better software support.

The dilemma is clear: extending the life of smartphones that are too old deprives users of enhanced security, while too frequent renewal causes a carbon impact and growing demand for rare materials. Industry players now try to balance these aspects by offering high-performance but eco-designed models and providing more accessible recycling options. This approach is particularly important in the embedded systems context, where robustness and safety are paramount, but where environmental responsibility must not be neglected.

Economically, the progressive disappearance of certain discreet smartphones from the Android Auto market pushes a segment of consumers to reconsider their often limited budget. The choice between an expensive renewal and searching for affordable but compatible alternatives becomes a central issue. The proliferation of mid-range models, sometimes poorly known but adapted to Android Auto, offers an interesting response and a viable compromise to maintain access to functionalities without exploding costs.

Combined with the rise of new technological standards, this situation illustrates how much the Android Auto exclusion constitutes a digital turning point, as much as an opportunity to redefine the relationship between smartphone, automobile, and environment, in a dynamic respectful of modern challenges.