Busy downloading Android 10 on your Moto Z4 and wondering when it will update to Android 11? After all, Android 10 became available to Moto Z4 users beginning in March, and the new Android 11 OS starts rolling out in October. The answer is… never. That’s right, Motorola will not be offering Android 11 on their Moto Z4 phones.
You may be asking yourself why it matters that there won’t be any OS upgrades after Android 10. Well, you should, because it’s important. Do you care about security? Ease of use? Getting the most out of your phone? Updates to your phone’s operating system covers all of that, as well as other optimizations that “reduce power demands, boost battery life, improve connectivity, introduce better encryption, and give you greater protection against any potentially malicious or just personal data-hungry third-party apps” (Android Authority). In short, those OS updates make your phone worth keeping longer than a year.
According to Motorola Support there are two main types of updates: security and Android OS. Security updates are just that – updates from Google that fix security issues, improve security, and protect against viruses. Android OS updates are newer, “updated” versions of the Android operating system. The OS updates are the ones that keep you phone working smoothly and introduce new features.
So, what will Z4 owners be missing out on? Well, quite a few things. Based on the first developer preview and a preview article from Techradar, here are a few of Android 11’s features:
- New APIs: One that allows you to see if your connection is unmetered and forcing you to use more data, and another that lets you check your downstream/upstream bandwidth with ease.
- Pinhole and waterfall screen applications that maximizes the use of your screen.
- A messaging tab on your notification bar that separates conversations from other types of notifications.
- Security permissions that restrict aps from checking your location, and let you know when applications are accessing unexpected phone features.
- Scoped storage increasing security and memory speed.
- The ability to dismiss notifications.
You can find a full list of what you’ll be missing out on at Android’s developer blog.
Unfortunately, Motorola’s decision to limit their Moto Z4 to Android 10 is part of a recurring pattern of neglect – it even faced a class action lawsuit in 2016. According to Android Authority, Motorola falls behind other phone companies in releasing security updates, and “has a nasty habit of quietly dropping support for phones altogether.” They seem to feel that it’s ok to offer subpar service to phones from their lower price brackets. Sadly, Motorola recently scored a fat 0 on Computer World’s “Android Upgrade Report Card,” earning zero points in all three categories: “length of time for upgrade to be released current flagship”, “length of time for upgrade to reach previous-gen flagship”, and “communication.” Having just the one OS update is counter to the Android platform’s standard of two year’s software support after purchase. The Z4 dropped in June 2019 with a $500.00 price tag. Without an update to Android OS 11 it will be pretty much obsolete. I’ve purchased $500.00 cars that have lasted longer than that. It’s almost as though Motorola is using its Moto Z line as “burner” phones.
Why isn’t Motorola meeting industry upload standards? Well, according to Motorola, it’s YOUR fault. In a statement to Digital Trends, Motorola said its customer base lists updates as secondary to phone design and camera capability. In effect, Motorola is saying its customers don’t care enough about ongoing support to justify updating its phones, so it’s not going to worry about making those updates available. It’s Edge+ line only got the second OS update after Motorola faced industry outrage for releasing a $1000 phone with a short expiration date. Ask yourself, is Motorola right? A flashy design and great camera are nice, but don’t really do much if the phone is obsolete. Its time Motorola customers demand the long-term support they deserve for the high ticket price they pay.
Frustrated Motorola Fan says
So disappointing to have my reliable MotoZ stuck at Version 9. Now starting to receive notifications my phone will no longer support specific apps I use from my financial company at the end of 2021. How do Android users justify staying on this side of technology? I have an iPhone for work so it looks like my next personal purchase will be leaving Android and back to apple.
Farewell Motorola says
Motorola does not support their Z4 with Version 11 or the newest version 12 OS updates, then no longer will customers support Motorola…………Farewell Motorola.
Aaron says
Well that settles it, I bought a new car in July and I hate having to connect with a wire. I always liked Motorola but now I’ll be switching to iPhone since the rest of my family has, and I see why. Very disappointing Motorola!
Will says
I used Android 11 on someone’s moto g power. I know the specs of that phone. The Z4 could definitely run 11 with no problem. I may pay more to another company for longer updates. My granddaughter has an iphone 8+, and just received their latest update, ios 15. Yes, they cost more, but come on Motorola, really, no Android 11.
Z4 owner says
Too bad about the decision not supporting Android 11. Security updates continue to release on my z4 with android 10 and still performs well for being a 2 year old phone. The phone shipped with Android 9 and updated to 10 so it supported 2 is releases. It’s the trade off for a phone where it plays in the value space. Sure you can get a phone with additional os releases supported, maybe 2 but those phones, namely iPhone and Galaxy, cost 3x the price what you paid for your z4. Also supporting newer OSes beyond 2 os generations makes the phone performance slow. There are always tradeoffs and been on both sides of the fence.
Claudio Rey says
Motorola used to give much better support and that was the reason to buy that brand but it seems that that is over, it’s too bad I used to be a loyal fan. Time to move on to another brand that cares more.
Maureen says
My Motorola z4 does not work with Android auto in my Mazda 3. No maps. I can’t wait until I’m finished paying it off and I’m switching back to iPhone. I don’t even know why I switched to Android in the first place I must have been crazy.
John O'Connor says
My add on battery isn’t working since the last update!
Please post required actions?
Kyancey262 says
My first smartphone was the first blackberry smartphone, then I got a moto x and rooted it. I upgraded to the x2, then the razor maxx, then a S6 (which was awesome), before coming back to the moto z force, z3, and current z4. I have all the mods, except the polaroid and 5g (which isn’t available in my home area yet). I would prefer to root my device and kill processes that drain my battery, plus remove verizon’s bloatware, and stick to custom Roms. But, that’s becoming more difficult and dangerous to do with each version of Android OS. It’s like buying a Tesla and wanting to repair it yourself! When this phone is out-moded, like Robots, I’ll probably drop Verizon (after 22+ years, since PrimeCo days) and switch to Comcast. I don’t need the greatest and most expensive phone, anymore than I need a Porsche (when my VW gets the job done), nor do I need the the most expensive plan (thanks again Verizon)!
Jake says
I like few updates (so the phone still works 5 yrs later) but I do feel like they are short selling loyal customers (like myself) with just 1 update. I started out with a Moto Z Play, it got 2(?) updates and started to die three and a half years after I bought it since I live in a moist environment and took it camping a lot. Now I have a Z4 (arguably the Z Play was the better device) but I really do expect more updates. I will likely continue buying Motorola’s but I guess I’d have to look and see which model lines they plan on abandoning next before buying…
Jared says
I have been a loyal Motorola costumer since I started using a cell phone over 20 years ago. Verizon and Motorola is all I have for ever used. I couldn’t ever imagine using another brand they are almost like my own brand and names have sponsored for years. I wish Motorola had never sold out to begin with. Sure hope they get their act together.
vin says
Most definitely: This will be my last Motorola phone if this is how they choose to treat customers. In fact I’m going to sell it & go with another brand.
Jools says
Very disapionted, I was motorola users since Moto X1; X2, Moto Z, Moto Z3 and Moto z4 . One of the reasons was Motorola promised and provided at least 2 updates. The android 10 update took like for4ever. And now if they dont provide update to android 11 I will never buy again motorola phones. And why they think customers done care update OS update and care only about fancy camera ? Motorola flagships never had best camera or near best camera on the market . The reason to buy motorola was Stock up to date android,
Last Moto says
This will be my last Motorola phone if this is how they choose to treat customers.
NoMoMoto says
When my Z4 no longer works with cell towers I will retire from the cellular network. Let me see what do I actually use my phone for…..I don’t use calling, I can text and call from my laptop, oh right my drone and the instashare projector….that’s pretty much it. Cell phone companies screw themselves. I’m done forking over way to much money for something I don’t need.