Is it possible to connect audio without using bluetooth or Android Auto?

Just got a 2026 Outback Wilderness and am generally in good spirits about it. The salesperson demonstrated that you can connect the phone via USB for audio for those of us annoyed with Bluetooth and Bluetooth scrapers, like found in Flock cameras.

But given this salesperson had already set up Android Auto on their phone, I did not realize that seems to be the only way to play audio from my phone into the car speakers.

I'm not looking for anything from my phone to show on the infotainment system, I just want the audio to come through like when cars used to have auxiliary cords.

Is this possible, or do I have to install Google's spyware just to use sound? When the notice popped up, it even displayed on my phone that none of the apps I have installed are even compatible, so now I'm stuck with radio or nothing for music.

I'm hoping it's just me missing something simple, but plugging into the USB-C and the car would not recognize the device under the USB menu.

It would be silly for this to be a deal-breaker, but honestly, it is for me. If I can't listen to music without special apps to run my apps then what's even the point of spending this much money on a car?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.