I really liked the Motorola Razr Fold, but Android 17 could significantly improve its most vulnerable aspect.

      Not every significant Android update introduces a major shift in visuals or features. Therefore, even after a large download, you might not see a noticeable difference in how you operate your phone. However, a solid release can resolve numerous minor annoyances, and the Android 17 update from Motorola appears to be that type of release.

      The company has commenced a gradual rollout in India, starting with the Motorola Signature, followed by other eligible models like the Razr Fold in phases. This update merges the broader enhancements of Android 17 with modifications to Motorola’s own interface. Key improvements include a revamped Quick Settings panel, smarter notifications, handy personalization features, and enhanced scam protection.

      Motorola is providing a visual update

      The initial changes you'll likely observe are on the home screen and within Quick Settings. Motorola is updating portions of the system interface with larger touch targets and more streamlined menus, while Quick Settings is also being redesigned. If you prefer the Classic Quick Settings layout, Android 17 allows you to hide the text labels under individual tiles, thereby maximizing space.

      The home screen will now feature stackable widgets, enabling you to group weather, music, calendar, battery, and other widgets in one area and swipe through them instead of occupying multiple rows. Additionally, Motorola introduces themed icons and snap-scrolling for interactive widgets. Minor adjustments are also being made to brightness settings; for instance, Android phones can currently set the display brightness to a maximum when showing HDR content. The Enhanced HDR brightness control in Android 17 lets you decrease the intensity or turn off the extra brightness.

      Notifications are becoming smarter

      Android 17 aims to make interactions smoother and more intuitive, with Live Updates being part of this initiative. This feature allows compatible apps to continuously update information within a single notification, eliminating the need for multiple alerts – be it for deliveries, rides, navigation, or other real-time updates. To build on this, Motorola devices can now summarize lengthy message threads in one sentence, while machine learning differentiates personal messages from lower-priority automated notifications, grouping the latter into quieter sections.

      The rollout notes from Motorola also mention enhanced notification grouping and contextual sharing recommendations for newly captured media, helping to avoid an overload of notifications that appear randomly after being away from your device for a while.

      Sharing becomes less Android-exclusive

      Motorola is broadening how its smartphones interact with non-Android devices. Quick Share QR codes allow users on other platforms, such as iOS, to access shared files via a web interface, providing an option when someone next to you doesn’t own an Android phone. Android 17 also introduces Instant Hotspot for easier tethering and Nearby Audio Streams to share audio with compatible nearby devices.

      Additionally, Motorola's support page lists Tap to Share, which enables compatible phones to be placed close together for file transfers, and Quick Drop, which allows users to create reusable groups for sharing photos and files with multiple people at once.

      Android 17 intensifies scam protection

      Spam messages are universally disliked, and many can be truly harmful. This rollout includes automated scam detection for SMS, MMS, and RCS messages, designed to alert you when an incoming message appears to be a phishing attempt. You also gain access to Failed Authentication Lock, enhanced PIN protections, and stricter controls over sensitive information displayed in lock-screen notifications.

      Furthermore, the Circle to Search feature is enhanced with real-time on-screen translation, providing compatible Motorola phones with an additional method to translate what's currently on display without needing to switch between apps. Though these features may not seem major, their addition could significantly enhance usability.

      Which Motorola phones will receive Android 17?

      Motorola's current list details over 50 device models, including:

      Motorola Signature

      Razr family: Razr 70 Ultra / Razr Ultra 2026, Razr 70 Plus / Razr+ 2026, Razr 70 / Razr 2026, Razr Fold 2026, Razr Fold 2025, Razr 60 Ultra / Razr Ultra 2025, Razr 60s, Razr 60d, Razr 60 / Razr 2025, and Razr 50 Ultra / Razr+ 2024

      Edge family: Edge 2026, Edge 70 Pro+, Edge 70 Pro, Edge 70 Max, Edge 70 Neo, Edge 70 Plus, Edge 70 Fusion+, Edge 70 Fusion, Edge 70, Edge 2025, Edge 60 Stylus, Edge 60 Pro, Edge 60 Fusion, Edge 60, and Edge 50 Ultra.

      Moto G family: Moto G Stylus 2026, Moto G Power 2026, Moto G Play 2026, Moto G 2026, Moto G 2025, Moto G Power 2025, Moto G Stylus 2025, Moto G Max, Moto G87, Moto G86, Moto G86 Power, Moto G77, Moto G77 Power, Moto G