Since going under Lenovo’s umbrella, the smartphone giant, Motorola, has really struggled to keep up with updates. It has also lost its footing in the upper-end spectrum of the market and is currently focused on serving the mid-range segment. Through the lean years, Motorola seems to have figured out its area of expertise and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sadly, though, even the significant misfortunes haven’t pushed them to be better at updates, leaving users frustrated more often than not.
Meanwhile, Google’s latest Android 11 has hit the market and is already available for all supported Pixel devices. Some other OEMs — Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, and RealMe — have also brought the Android 11 experience to their users, albeit in the form of an open beta. Today, we’ll take a look at Motorola’s plans for the rollout and help you figure out exactly how long you’d have to wait to get your mitts on the latest version of Android.
Our comprehensive guide on Motorola smartphone updates is based on the company’s previous track record with its smartphones. We will take into account past software releases for each line-up of devices in order to offer you the best possible guesstimates for an Android 11 upgrade in the future.
Let’s get to it.
Motorola Android 11 device list
Motorola isn’t the lousiest when it comes to software support, delivering two major OS updates to most of its flagships. However, over the last couple of years, its reputation has taken a significant hit.
Last year, Motorola took its sweet time releasing Android Pie to most of its smartphones — only making it available in early 2019. Many devices that were expected to receive the update ended up getting sidelined, and the trend seems to be re-emerging with Android 10.
Motorola Edge+, Motorola Edge, Moto G Stylus, Motorola RAZR, Motorola RAZR 5G, Moto G Power, Moto G Fast, Motorola One Fusion+, and Motorola One Hyper are all set to receive Android 11. However, except for the Edge+, Edge, and the RAZR duo, no other device would go beyond Android 11.
What would we see in Motorola Android 11?
Since Motorola usually prefers to deliver a near-stock Android experience, we don’t expect them to make too many changes with this year’s release. It should come with all the bells and whistles of Google’s Android 11, alongside some Motorola goodness.
We should get improved privacy controls with one-time permissions, a separate notification panel for conversations, Chat Bubbles for messaging apps, the option to pin favorites on the Share Sheet, and more.
Motorola hasn’t released an official feature list yet or started a beta program. Once they do, we’ll be sure to share the necessary information with you.
When will your Motorola device get Android 11?
Motorola hasn’t been too reliable with updates, of course, so, expect to wait a few extra weeks to try out the latest version of Android. The update should first be available to the Moto Edge+ and Moto Edge and then be released to Moto Razr 5G and Moto Razr (2019).
| Device Name | Expected Release Date |
| Motorola Edge+ | December 2020 |
| Motorola Edge | December 2020 |
| Moto Razr 5G | Q1 2021 |
| Moto G Stylus | Q1 2021 |
| Moto G Fast | Q1 2021 |
| Motorola One Fusion+ | Q1 2021 |
| Moto G Power | Q1 2021 |
| Moto G8 Power | Q1 2021 |
| Motorola One Hyper | Q2 2021 |
| Motorola One Zoom | Q2 2021 |
| Motorola One Action | Q2 2021 |
| Motorola One Vision | Q2 2021 |
| Motorola One Macro | Q1 2021 |
| Moto Razr (2019) | Q2 2021 |
| Moto G8 Plus | Q2 2021 |
| Moto G8 Play | Not Likely — Yet to receive Android 10 |
| Moto G7 Play | Not Eligible |
| Moto G7 | Not Eligible |
| Moto G7 Power | Not Eligible |
| Moto G7 Plus | Not Eligible |
| Moto G6 Play | Not Eligible |
| Moto G6 | Not Eligible |
| Moto G6 Plus | Not Eligible |
| Moto E6 Play | Not Likely — Yet to receive Android 10 |
| Moto E6 Plus | Not Eligible |
| Moto E6 | Not Eligible |
| Moto E5 | Not Eligible |
| Moto E5 Cruise | Not Eligible |
| Moto E5 Play | Not Eligible |
| Moto E5 Play Go | Not Eligible |
| Moto E5 Plus | Not Eligible |
| Moto Z4 | Not Eligible |
| Motorola One or P30 Play | Not Eligible |
| Motorola One Power or P30 Note | Not Eligible |
| Moto P30 | Not Eligible |
| Moto Z3 | Not Eligible |
| Moto Z3 Play | Not Eligible |
| Moto X4 | Not Eligible |
If you are an avid user who loves to test out new software and beta releases, then we might have some good news for you in the next section.
When will Motorola start the Android 11 beta program?
Manufacturers usually start their beta programs soon after the first stable version is released by Google, and Motorola is no different. Google released Android 10 in the fall of last year, and Motorola was seen rolling out the closed beta to its users by the last week of November 2019.
The beta program, which lasts for a couple of months, not only allows users to have a preview of the upcoming OS but it also allows developers to hash out the reported bugs.
Android 11 update release date: Samsung | Huawei | LG | OnePlus
Keeping in line with its previous track record, Motorola is expected to start its beta program for Android 11 in the late weeks of November 2020.
However, with Google escalating the release timeline — Android 11 Developer Preview already rolling out — OEMs, too, could too roll out the update sooner than anticipated.
This beta program will be available to all the flagships that will be released this year including the likes of the G8 series and the Moto One Hyper.
If you are keen on trying out the new features that Android 11 has to offer, then an OTA update for the beta program might be the fastest way to do so. You can sign up for Motorola’s feedback network in order to receive closed beta updates which will only be released to a select few users.
You can sign up for the feedback network using this comprehensive guide from the company themselves.
Although these dates are tentative, and not confirmed, they are our best guesstimates based on Motorola’s support for all previously-released smartphones. Let’s dive straight into it.
Note: If your device has not been included in the list above, then there is a high chance that it will not be seeing an official Android 11 update from Motorola. If you are still looking for a way to try the OS then you might want to opt for third-party ROMS that are released once a stable version is out.
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Moto owners of z2 and z3 were promised updates… Never again will i buy a moto
I have the Moto G7 Power (Optimo Maxx) bought brand new in May 2020, and Motorola isn’t upgrading my phone to the latest Android OS released 4 months later?
If that holds, when it comes time to upgrade my phone, I will NOT be sticking with Motorola.
Motorola needs to stop selling phones if they can’t upkeep the OS.
Whenever I get a new phone I assume there will be one OS upgrade at most (no matter what “they” say). If I don’t like the OS level it has at sale then I don’t buy it. Keeping expectations low means I have never been disappointed.
I have been a moto user since they came out with cell phones. Had a Z3 play loved it I now have a Z4 the razor came out the same year as this phone I can’t believe it’s getting an update over the Z4 or am I to do with all those mods this is going to make me switch either the Samsung or just go to Apple not happy with the Motorola
Motorola is old news to most of us now. The company and most of its phones lacks the luster and awe of say the Samsung Galaxys series. I don’t see a hundred times zoom anywhere with Motorola’s name attached to it. Of course I don’t see the high prices attached either, but we all know they need to have something to have an edge on the other competition….one plus for example…is a much newer company….they cater to the middle spectrum of phones..they have a lower cost, yet their phones have power and speed…5G works great and they don’t have many issues. With Motorola there’s nothing behind them anymore…. there’s nothing that stands out…. it’s just a phone. They are going to lose customers… they’ve lost this one unfortunately.They need to pull their head out of their butt and figure out what to do next and make a big jump because they’re losing millions…if not billions of dollars in sales. I guarantee you my opinion it’s just one of many. Really what is the company had to say about that we never hear from them do they know does it losing customers? Of course they do their books have to show that they’re losing customers to other companies… new companies that aren’t in the high end or even mid-range phone market. They are wiping themselves out of the game. I wouldn’t be surprised, if down the road, Motorola…might not be a company anymore…at least in the cell phone market.