Previously getting Android Auto to work wirelessly was restricted to a limited set of devices, now we have found out that Android 11 will remove that restriction. To get Wireless Android Auto working on your phone you obviously need a head unit that is capable of receiving the signal.
In the updated developer guidelines Google now lists the following compatibility details:
- A car or aftermarket receiver that’s compatible with wireless Android Auto
- A compatible Android smartphone with an active data plan and the latest version of the Android Auto app:
- Any smartphone with Android 11.0 and 5GHz Wi-Fi. In the EU, smartphones must comply with additional regulatory requirements in order to use 5GHz Wi-Fi in the car.
- A Google or Samsung smartphone with Android 10.0.
- A Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, or Note 8, with Android 9.0.
With this change, Wireless Android Auto is now open to any Android device running Android 11 that also includes Wi-Fi 802.11 5GHz capability. This should mean much more availability of Wireless Android Auto on handsets, now we just need more head units to launch with the capability.
