Motorola has begun rolling out Android 8.1.0 Oreo to the Moto G5S Plus, Moto G5S, Moto G5 Plus and Moto G5, bringing the phones up to August 2018 security patches.

We’ve checked Ausdroid’s Moto G5 (XT1676) and it indeed received the Oreo 8.1 update today.

The update file size was 1126.2 MB and it took a little over 20 minutes to install after downloading.

The update promises many enhancements, including new multitasking features, security capabilities, improved notifications and performance.

Motorola points out the following highlights for this update:

  • Minimising background activity in the apps you use least.
  • Autofill remembers your logins (with permission) to get you into your favorite apps quickly.
  • Smart text selection recognises text when you tap or select, then recommends a next logical step via a suggested app.
  • Do two things at once with Picture-in-Picture which allows you to see two apps on screen at the same time.
  • Notification Dots will help you dive into more apps with fewer taps. Press the notification dots to quickly see what’s new, and easily clear them by swiping away.
  • Android Instant Apps allow you to jump directly into new apps right from your browser, no installation needed.
  • Google Play Protect is peace of mind in the palm of your hand. Working to keep your device and data safe from misbehaving apps by scanning over 50 billion apps per day, even the ones you haven’t installed yet.
  • Enhanced battery life and over 60 new emojis.

Moto G5 users should note that this Oreo 8.1 patch also enables your phone to support dual SIM capabilities on 4G/3G networks, just like the rest of the Moto G5 family. This dual SIM patch by Motorola is extremely delayed, considering the G5 was sold as a dual SIM Phone but the 2nd SIM has been 2G-only (and thus useless in Australia) until now.

Have you received the update on your Moto G5 device? Tell us in the comments!

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IanS

G5 Oreo update Australia

My retau G5 purchased from The Good Guys a couple of years ago updated to Oreo while I was in Spain. Can confirm dual sim is now 4g/3g – perfect for travel and for use with a 4g data sim at home.

Rusty

Mine updated to Oreo 8.1 whilst in the UK, but now back in Australia and it’s still only 4g/2g. Very annoying. Did you have to do anything apart from running the update?

IanS

Back in Oz, just checked with 2 telstra sims, set one as data sim – this took up the 4G sim slot, and set the other for sms/voice – this registered automatically as 3G. Did you purchase yours in Australia? Other regions (e.g.India) may not have received the 4G/3G update. In Settings, System, About phone, mine shows Software Channel = retapac (not retau as I stated above) – retapac means “retail asia pacific” I presume.

Rusty

Purchased in Germany, so eu channel. Had hoped that the 4g/3g fix would apply everywhere, but doesn’t seem to be the case. Still says 2g only in the settings for the second sim despite the update to Oreo 8.1.

Hnr

My Moto G5 (SKU XT1676, https://fccid.io/IHDT56VF4 ) Security Patch is still ‘Jul 01 2018’ (Kernel is Jun 19 2018). My software channel is โ€reteuโ€ (Retail Europe) and I live in Hamburg / Germany. No India, Mexico or Australia. ๐Ÿ™

Graeme

I bought my G5S recently in Frankfurt, Germany. Just checked and it is still on 7.1.1 with June security patch. No sign of any further updates (yet).

Rahul

I have bought MotoG5 in Australia through import. Still update show July2018. Will I get the updated version.???

Jason Lacey

I’m Loving the update. Improved transition between apps. Love the screen within screen and improved functions for Spotify. Call features is my much better as well. Well done Moto.

Dennis

I have a USA imported Moto G5s plus which indicates the software channel is ” retus ” ( reail United States ). I have received only one security update since purchase. Will I receive the Oreo update in Australia

Dennis

Should read “retail United States “

Joe Doe

The official Oreo 8.1 role out has not yet started in the US (retus) and Europe (reteu).

Hari

Does it fix the low call volumes on Moto G plus? So annoying that it isn’t fixed in Australia. Fix were rolled out in some countries months ago AFAIK.

Daniel Slavin

My wife and I live in Queensland and have identical G5s plus handsets. We got Oreo in the eighth. Slightly larger file at 1237mb but a welcome upgrade

Ich

Ich habe ein Moto G5 S und bin immernoch bei Android 7.1.1. ScheiรŸ Motorola!!