Motorola expands Android 17 beta to premium devices

At a glance:

• Motorola expands Android 17 beta to premium devices including Razr Plus 2025, Razr Plus 2024, and Edge 50 Ultra
• Beta program now available in US, India, Europe, Latin America, and Brazil regions
• Users can apply through Motorola's community website but should expect potential instability

Motorola's Android 17 Beta Expansion

Motorola continues to accelerate its software update cadence, marking a significant shift in the company's historical approach to Android version rollouts. The manufacturer has expanded its Android 17 beta program to include three new premium devices, demonstrating a commitment to getting the latest Android features into users' hands faster than ever before. This expansion comes shortly after Motorola initially launched the beta program in February, showing the company's determination to keep pace with Google's own Android development timeline.

The newly added devices represent some of Motorola's most advanced hardware offerings. Joining the Android 17 beta are the Motorola Razr Plus 2025, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 (sold as the Razr 50 Ultra in certain regions), and the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. These selections highlight Motorola's focus on its premium segment, with both foldable and traditional flagship models receiving early access to the new operating system. This strategic approach allows power users and early adopters to test the software while Motorola gathers feedback before wider deployment.

How to Join the Android 17 Beta

Motorola has established a straightforward process for interested users to join the Android 17 beta program, though potential participants should be prepared for a few steps in the application process. First, users must create an account on Motorola's community website. Once registered, they'll need to navigate to their profile section and add their device's IMEI or serial number to verify eligibility. This verification step ensures that only users with the newly supported devices can apply for the beta program.

After device verification, applicants must join the Motorola Feedback Network and visit the Beta Testing Opportunities page to submit their request for the Android 17 beta. Motorola emphasizes that spots for the beta program are limited, so interested users should apply promptly once they've confirmed their device compatibility. Following submission, applicants should monitor their email for approval notifications. If accepted, Motorola will deliver the Android 17 beta as an over-the-air update, allowing users to install it directly on their devices without complex procedures.

Important Considerations for Beta Testers

While the opportunity to experience Android 17 ahead of its official release is exciting, Motorola cautions potential testers about the inherent risks associated with pre-release software. Beta builds can be unstable, with users potentially encountering broken features, battery life issues, app crashes, or other unexpected problems. The company explicitly advises against installing beta software on primary devices unless users are comfortable with these potential disruptions and have a backup device available for daily use.

Motorola's transparent approach to beta testing reflects its growing commitment to software quality and user feedback. By opening the beta to a wider range of devices across multiple regions, the company can collect more comprehensive data on how the new operating system performs across different hardware configurations and use cases. This strategy not only helps identify and fix issues before the public release but also demonstrates Motorola's evolving approach to software support, potentially signaling a more aggressive update schedule for future Android versions.

Regional Availability and Timeline

The expanded Android 17 beta program is now live in several key markets, including the United States, India, Europe, Latin America, and Brazil. This regional coverage ensures that Motorola can gather diverse feedback from different user bases and usage patterns. The company has provided direct links to the beta application on its official forum, though availability may vary slightly by region depending on device support and testing capacity.

Users in eligible regions should check their devices for any pending system updates before applying for the beta program. Motorola recommends that interested applicants act quickly, as the beta spots are limited and may be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The company hasn't specified an exact timeline for when the beta program will close or when the final Android 17 release will be available to all supported devices, though historical patterns suggest Motorola will likely provide several months of beta testing before the official rollout.