If you own a Moto G Stylus (XT2043-4) and want to upgrade to Android 16, this guide will walk you through the process of installing a Generic System Image (GSI) using Fastboot. Although this Motorola device originally came with Android 10/11, it supports Project Treble, which makes it possible to flash newer Android versions via GSI.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This process will wipe all your data and may void your warranty. Proceed at your own risk. This guide is for advanced users who are familiar with ADB/Fastboot and bootloader unlocking. DTPTips and the author are not responsible for any damage or bricked devices.

---

📱 Device Details

• Model: Moto G Stylus
• Variant: XT2043-4 (Snapdragon 665)
• Partition Type: A-only
• Supports Project Treble: ✅ Yes
• Stock Android Version: Android 10 / 11

---

🧰 What You’ll Need

Item	Description
✅ Bootloader Unlocked	Use fastboot oem unlock (after enabling OEM unlock in Developer options)
✅ ADB & Fastboot Drivers	Download Platform Tools
✅ Android 16 GSI	Use PHH Treble build for better compatibility
✅ Blank vbmeta.img	To disable Verified Boot
✅ USB Cable + PC	For flashing and command execution
✅ Full Device Backup	Backup everything before proceeding

---

🔗 Download Links

• PHH Treble GSI (Android 16 A-only)
  👉 PHH GSI Images – GitHub
  Recommended: system-arm64-aonly-gapps.img.xz
  Extract it using 7-Zip or WinRAR.
• Blank vbmeta.img
  👉 Download Blank vbmeta.img
• ADB & Fastboot (Windows/Linux/Mac)
  👉 Platform Tools – Google

---

🛠️ Preparation Steps

1. Enable Developer Options
   • Go to Settings > About phone > Tap Build number 7 times
   • Go to Settings > System > Developer Options
     • Enable OEM unlocking
     • Enable USB Debugging
2. Unlock the Bootloader
   Connect phone to PC, then run: adb reboot bootloader fastboot oem unlock Follow the on-screen prompts on the device. This will wipe your phone.
3. Check Partition Type
   In fastboot mode, run: fastboot getvar is-logical:system If it says no, it’s A-only (confirmed for XT2043-4).

---

⚙️ How to Flash Android 16 GSI

⚠️ Make sure your .img files are in the same folder as your fastboot executable.

Step 1: Boot into Fastboot

adb reboot bootloader

Step 2: Wipe Partitions

fastboot erase system
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase metadata

Step 3: Disable Verified Boot

fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

Step 4: Flash the GSI System Image

fastboot flash system system.img

Step 5: Reboot Device

fastboot reboot

---

💡 First Boot Tips

• First boot may take 5–10 minutes.
• If the device gets stuck in bootloop, return to fastboot and reflash.
• Make sure to always erase userdata before flashing GSI.

---

🧪 Troubleshooting Guide

Issue	Solution
Still booting to Android 11	You may have used the wrong partition type or skipped vbmeta flashing
Bootloop or stuck on logo	Make sure to fastboot erase userdata before booting
No WiFi or Camera	Some GSI builds may not support Moto hardware fully
GSI fails to flash	Ensure GSI is unzipped and in correct format: .img (not .xz)

---

❓ FAQs

Q: Can I use TWRP to flash Android 16 GSI?

A: You can, but fastboot is more reliable for flashing .img GSI files on A-only devices like XT2043-4.

Q: Will this update my phone permanently to Android 16?

A: No. GSI images are not OTA-updatable. You’ll need to reflash manually if you want updates.

Q: How to revert back to stock ROM?

A: You can flash the stock firmware using Lenovo Rescue Tool or use fastboot commands with official factory images.

---

✅ Summary

Step	Description
1️⃣	Unlock bootloader and prepare PC with ADB/Fastboot
2️⃣	Wipe necessary partitions and flash vbmeta.img
3️⃣	Flash GSI system image using fastboot
4️⃣	Reboot and wait for first boot

Once complete, your Moto G Stylus XT2043-4 should be running Android 16 GSI with a fresh new interface, improved system optimizations, and better compatibility with newer apps.

---

🏷️ Tags

android 16, moto g stylus, xt2043-4, android gsi, flash android 16, phh gsi, treble roms, moto android upgrade, fastboot flashing, unlock bootloader, vbmeta disable, project treble guide

---

🔖 Hashtags

#MotoGStylus #Android16 #GSI #PHHGSI #MotoROM #TrebleROM #CustomROM #UnlockBootloader #FastbootFlash #AndroidGuide

---

Sahil Verma

Sahil is a mobile technology blogger and Android developer who has worked on custom ROM projects and app testing. With a background in mobile software engineering, he reviews apps, explains Android tweaks, and creates in-depth tutorials for both casual users and advanced tinkerers.

Website · More from this author