Motorola beats everyone to the punch: Android 17 beta opens, ahead of Samsung and Xiaomi

With a surprise move, Motorola has officially announced the opening of its beta program for Android 17, becoming the first manufacturer outside Google to take this step. The decision represents a significant shift for the company, especially considering that the distribution of the current version, Android 16, has not been entirely smooth.

Motorola announces the Android 17 beta program, but only for a handful of mid-range models

The Android 17 beta program is currently available for a targeted selection of devices in specific regions, with an unusual strategy that favors mid-range models over flagship devices. Specifically, it concerns owners of Moto Edge 2025 in the United States, of Moto G57 in the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) and of Moto G57 Power in India and the EMEA.

To participate in the testing phase, you must follow a precise procedure that begins with creating an account on the official community site and updating your profile with device identifying data, such as the IMEI code or serial number.

Once this step is completed, you need to activate the Motorola Feedback Network (MFN) and ensure that your smartphone is running the latest stable version of the available software. Only at this point will it be possible to view and select the testing opportunity on the dedicated page, by filling out the registration form to submit your candidacy.

Participating in a beta phase offers clear advantages in terms of early access to new features, but early versions are often subject to bugs and system errors that could compromise daily use.

The initial sprint by Motorola is particularly important when looking at Google’s global timetable, which envisions the release of the stable Android 17 version in the third quarter of 2026. It remains to be seen whether the company will be quick in releasing the stable release as well.

Anyway, Motorola’s decision to bring Android 17 forward demonstrates renewed commitment in the field of software updates, especially after the misstep of the strategy to avoid 5 years of updates in Europe.