In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing the Android 15 Custom ROM on the Motorola Defy 2021. If you’re eager to experience the clean, feature-packed Android 15, you’ve come to the right place. Google recently launched Android 15 for its Pixel lineup, followed by the official source code release for developers. This has led to the creation of custom ROMs based on Android 15 for Motorola Defy 2021, users can now enjoy an unofficial AOSP build of Android 15. Ready to transform your device with the latest Android features? Let’s get started!
Motorola Defy 2021 Overview
The Motorola Defy 2021, launched in July 2021, is a rugged smartphone built to endure tough conditions. It features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, and is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. It also meets MIL-SPEC 810H standards, making it drop-resistant up to 1.8 meters. Powered by the Snapdragon 662 chipset, it includes 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, expandable via microSD (shared SIM slot), and runs on Android 10.
For photography, the device sports a triple rear camera setup: a 48MP main sensor, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor, with support for HDR and 1080p video. The 8MP front camera handles selfies and video calls. Other features include a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, FM radio, 3.5mm headphone jack, and NFC. A 5000mAh battery with 20W fast charging powers the device, ensuring reliable performance for outdoor enthusiasts or those needing a durable daily driver.
Android 15 and Its Features
Google has officially rolled out Android 15, packed with a wide array of new features and significant improvements. This latest version promises enhanced productivity, stronger privacy protections, and smoother overall performance. Released on September 3, Google has made the source code available through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). While Pixel devices are the first to receive the Android 15 update, it will soon be available on select devices from brands like Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, Vivo, and Xiaomi in the upcoming months.
Android 15 introduces several innovative features, including Private Space—which allows users to keep sensitive apps separate from the rest of the phone—and Improved Audio Image Descriptions. Additionally, there are new satellite connectivity options, an Earthquake Alert System, offline maps for Wear OS, and enhanced Bluetooth capabilities. Other key updates include Partial Screen Recording, Malicious App Blocking, App Archiving, Audio Sharing, improved low-light camera performance, better battery life, enhanced theft protection, a more user-friendly taskbar, and robust fraud and scam protection. Android 15 aims to deliver a more secure, versatile, and responsive user experience.
What’s Working and Known Bugs:
Whats working? Everything seems fine Known issues ? Please let me know with a proper logs
Steps To Install AOSP Android 15 on Motorola Defy 2021
This guide will walk you through the steps to install the AOSP Android 15 Custom ROM on the Motorola Defy 2021. If you’re looking for a clean, pure Android experience with the latest features and updates, you’ve come to the right place. Google has recently launched Android 15, and while it’s officially available for Pixel devices, the source code is also available for developers.
Before we dive into the installation guide, please ensure that you’ve met all the prerequisites mentioned below to avoid any issues during the installation process.
Pre-Requisites
Before proceeding, you are strongly advised to back up your device’s storage and all your essential files. This ensures that no data is lost in case anything goes wrong during the process. Following the steps carefully will help avoid any permanent damage or bricking of your device.
Charge Your Phone
Ensure your device has at least 50% or more battery before unlocking the bootloader or flashing the ROM to prevent any unexpected shutdowns during the process.
Download ADB and Fastboot Binaries
You can skip this part if you have already installed TWRP Recovery on your Motorola Defy 2021. For those who haven’t, ADB and Fastboot commands (platform-tools) are required to boot your device into bootloader mode, allowing you to perform the necessary flashing operations. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) establishes a connection between your device and computer, while Fastboot is a more advanced command-line utility for flashing and modifying Android devices.
You can download the ADB and Fastboot Binaries (Platform-Tools) here.
Download Motorola USB Drivers
You’ll need the appropriate USB drivers to ensure a successful connection between your Motorola Defy 2021 and your computer. These drivers enable file transfers, flashing, and other operations between your devices.
You can download the official Motorola USB drivers here.
Unlock the Bootloader of Your Phone:
Unlocking the bootloader of your Motorola Defy 2021 is essential before you can install any custom ROM. Make sure to follow Motorola’s official instructions for unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your device, so back up your data beforehand.
Install TWRP Recovery:
You must install TWRP Recovery on your phone to install any custom ROM on your device. After unlocking the bootloader, follow our guide to install TWRP Recovery on your Motorola Defy 2021.
Download Android 15 ROM:
You can download the Android 15 custom ROMs for the Motorola Defy 2021 from the links below:
| LineageOS 22.2 | Development Page |
Download Android 15 Gapps:
Currently, there are no specific GApps packages officially released for Android 15. However, based on community feedback, NikGApps for Android 14 seems to be a reliable alternative. You can try using the NikGApps Core package from the Android 14 version to flash onto your Android 15 custom ROM.
You can download the NikGApps Core for Android 14 from the following link: Download NikGApps Core for Android 14
This package should provide the basic Google services, including the Play Store, on your Android 15 device. Since this is a workaround, there may be some compatibility issues, but it’s worth trying until an official Android 15-compatible GApps package is available.
Make sure to flash it right after the ROM installation during the TWRP installation process, and don’t forget to check for updates to GApps periodically.
Warning!
GetDroidTips is not responsible for any issues that may happen to your device if you flash it on another device and brick it. Do it at your own risk.
Instructions To Install:
- Connect your device to the PC via a USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
- Then, go to the platform-tools folder, type CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
- Execute the below command in the CMD window or enter recovery mode using the Volume and Power button combination to boot your device to TWRP Recovery:
adb reboot recovery
- Now head to the Install section and navigate to the downloaded vendor and firmware. Perform a right swipe to flash it.
TWRP Home - If you want Google Apps as well, you need to flash it at this instance. Go to Install, select the GApps ZIP file, and perform a right swipe to flash this file.
- When that is done, you may reboot your device. Head over to Reboot and select System.
The first boot after installing a custom ROM may take a bit longer than usual, so don’t panic if it seems slow. After the device boots, you will need to set it up as a new device, just like when you first got it.
Conclusion
If you’re eager to try the latest Android 15 OS on your Motorola Defy 2021, flashing this custom AOSP build is the way to go. While it is unlikely that the Motorola Defy 2021 will receive an official Android 15 update from Xiaomi, this custom ROM will give you access to most of Android 15’s features and updates. However, as with any custom ROM, you might encounter some bugs or stability issues, so it’s a good idea to report them to the relevant XDA forum.
That’s all for this guide. We hope it helped you successfully install Android 15 on your Motorola Defy 2021. If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to leave a comment below. Good luck!