diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/src/Display.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/src/Display.cpp
index 8c8331c..953eb76 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/src/Display.cpp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/src/Display.cpp
@@ -192,16 +192,7 @@
     if (const auto halDisplayId = HalDisplayId::tryCast(mId);
         outputLayer && !mIsDisconnected && halDisplayId) {
         auto& hwc = getCompositionEngine().getHwComposer();
-        // Note: For the moment we ensure it is safe to take a reference to the
-        // HWComposer implementation by destroying all the OutputLayers (and
-        // hence the HWC2::Layers they own) before setting a new HWComposer. See
-        // for example SurfaceFlinger::updateVrFlinger().
-        // TODO(b/121291683): Make this safer.
-        auto hwcLayer =
-                std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer>(hwc.createLayer(*halDisplayId),
-                                             [&hwc, id = *halDisplayId](HWC2::Layer* layer) {
-                                                 hwc.destroyLayer(id, layer);
-                                             });
+        auto hwcLayer = hwc.createLayer(*halDisplayId);
         ALOGE_IF(!hwcLayer, "Failed to create a HWC layer for a HWC supported display %s",
                  getName().c_str());
         outputLayer->setHwcLayer(std::move(hwcLayer));
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/tests/DisplayTest.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/tests/DisplayTest.cpp
index e63d09a..e12cb57 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/tests/DisplayTest.cpp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/tests/DisplayTest.cpp
@@ -533,16 +533,15 @@
 
 TEST_F(DisplayCreateOutputLayerTest, setsHwcLayer) {
     sp<mock::LayerFE> layerFE = new StrictMock<mock::LayerFE>();
-    StrictMock<HWC2::mock::Layer> hwcLayer;
+    auto hwcLayer = std::make_shared<StrictMock<HWC2::mock::Layer>>();
 
     EXPECT_CALL(mHwComposer, createLayer(HalDisplayId(DEFAULT_DISPLAY_ID)))
-            .WillOnce(Return(&hwcLayer));
+            .WillOnce(Return(hwcLayer));
 
     auto outputLayer = mDisplay->createOutputLayer(layerFE);
 
-    EXPECT_EQ(&hwcLayer, outputLayer->getHwcLayer());
+    EXPECT_EQ(hwcLayer.get(), outputLayer->getHwcLayer());
 
-    EXPECT_CALL(mHwComposer, destroyLayer(HalDisplayId(DEFAULT_DISPLAY_ID), &hwcLayer));
     outputLayer.reset();
 }
 
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/tests/MockHWComposer.h b/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/tests/MockHWComposer.h
index 74d4b92..cd2d09e 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/tests/MockHWComposer.h
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/CompositionEngine/tests/MockHWComposer.h
@@ -48,8 +48,7 @@
     MOCK_METHOD3(allocateVirtualDisplay,
                  std::optional<DisplayId>(uint32_t, uint32_t, ui::PixelFormat*));
     MOCK_METHOD2(allocatePhysicalDisplay, void(hal::HWDisplayId, PhysicalDisplayId));
-    MOCK_METHOD1(createLayer, HWC2::Layer*(HalDisplayId));
-    MOCK_METHOD2(destroyLayer, void(HalDisplayId, HWC2::Layer*));
+    MOCK_METHOD1(createLayer, std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer>(HalDisplayId));
     MOCK_METHOD4(getDeviceCompositionChanges,
                  status_t(HalDisplayId, bool, std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point,
                           std::optional<android::HWComposer::DeviceRequestedChanges>*));
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWC2.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWC2.cpp
index d04b5f7..27146ab 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWC2.cpp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWC2.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,19 @@
 }
 
 Display::~Display() {
-    mLayers.clear();
+    // Note: The calls to onOwningDisplayDestroyed() are allowed (and expected)
+    // to call Display::onLayerDestroyed(). As that call removes entries from
+    // mLayers, we do not want to have a for loop directly over it here. Since
+    // the end goal is an empty mLayers anyway, we just go ahead and swap an
+    // initially empty local container with mLayers, and then enumerate
+    // the contents of the local container.
+    Layers destroyingLayers;
+    std::swap(mLayers, destroyingLayers);
+    for (const auto& [_, weakLayer] : destroyingLayers) {
+        if (std::shared_ptr layer = weakLayer.lock()) {
+            layer->onOwningDisplayDestroyed();
+        }
+    }
 
     Error error = Error::NONE;
     const char* msg;
@@ -110,29 +122,21 @@
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
-Error Display::createLayer(HWC2::Layer** outLayer) {
-    if (!outLayer) {
-        return Error::BAD_PARAMETER;
-    }
+base::expected<std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer>, hal::Error> Display::createLayer() {
     HWLayerId layerId = 0;
     auto intError = mComposer.createLayer(mId, &layerId);
     auto error = static_cast<Error>(intError);
     if (error != Error::NONE) {
-        return error;
+        return base::unexpected(error);
     }
 
-    auto layer = std::make_unique<impl::Layer>(mComposer, mCapabilities, mId, layerId);
-    *outLayer = layer.get();
-    mLayers.emplace(layerId, std::move(layer));
-    return Error::NONE;
+    auto layer = std::make_shared<impl::Layer>(mComposer, mCapabilities, *this, layerId);
+    mLayers.emplace(layerId, layer);
+    return layer;
 }
 
-Error Display::destroyLayer(HWC2::Layer* layer) {
-    if (!layer) {
-        return Error::BAD_PARAMETER;
-    }
-    mLayers.erase(layer->getId());
-    return Error::NONE;
+void Display::onLayerDestroyed(hal::HWLayerId layerId) {
+    mLayers.erase(layerId);
 }
 
 bool Display::isVsyncPeriodSwitchSupported() const {
@@ -161,7 +165,7 @@
             auto type = types[element];
             ALOGV("getChangedCompositionTypes: adding %" PRIu64 " %s",
                     layer->getId(), to_string(type).c_str());
-            outTypes->emplace(layer, type);
+            outTypes->emplace(layer.get(), type);
         } else {
             ALOGE("getChangedCompositionTypes: invalid layer %" PRIu64 " found"
                     " on display %" PRIu64, layerIds[element], mId);
@@ -254,7 +258,7 @@
         if (layer) {
             auto layerRequest =
                     static_cast<LayerRequest>(layerRequests[element]);
-            outLayerRequests->emplace(layer, layerRequest);
+            outLayerRequests->emplace(layer.get(), layerRequest);
         } else {
             ALOGE("getRequests: invalid layer %" PRIu64 " found on display %"
                     PRIu64, layerIds[element], mId);
@@ -340,7 +344,7 @@
         auto layer = getLayerById(layerIds[element]);
         if (layer) {
             sp<Fence> fence(new Fence(fenceFds[element]));
-            releaseFences.emplace(layer, fence);
+            releaseFences.emplace(layer.get(), fence);
         } else {
             ALOGE("getReleaseFences: invalid layer %" PRIu64
                     " found on display %" PRIu64, layerIds[element], mId);
@@ -550,12 +554,9 @@
 
 // Other Display methods
 
-HWC2::Layer* Display::getLayerById(HWLayerId id) const {
-    if (mLayers.count(id) == 0) {
-        return nullptr;
-    }
-
-    return mLayers.at(id).get();
+std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer> Display::getLayerById(HWLayerId id) const {
+    auto it = mLayers.find(id);
+    return it != mLayers.end() ? it->second.lock() : nullptr;
 }
 } // namespace impl
 
@@ -566,47 +567,78 @@
 namespace impl {
 
 Layer::Layer(android::Hwc2::Composer& composer, const std::unordered_set<Capability>& capabilities,
-             HWDisplayId displayId, HWLayerId layerId)
+             HWC2::Display& display, HWLayerId layerId)
       : mComposer(composer),
         mCapabilities(capabilities),
-        mDisplayId(displayId),
+        mDisplay(&display),
         mId(layerId),
         mColorMatrix(android::mat4()) {
-    ALOGV("Created layer %" PRIu64 " on display %" PRIu64, layerId, displayId);
+    ALOGV("Created layer %" PRIu64 " on display %" PRIu64, layerId, display.getId());
 }
 
 Layer::~Layer()
 {
-    auto intError = mComposer.destroyLayer(mDisplayId, mId);
+    onOwningDisplayDestroyed();
+}
+
+void Layer::onOwningDisplayDestroyed() {
+    // Note: onOwningDisplayDestroyed() may be called to perform cleanup by
+    // either the Layer dtor or by the Display dtor and must be safe to call
+    // from either path. In particular, the call to Display::onLayerDestroyed()
+    // is expected to be safe to do,
+
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    mDisplay->onLayerDestroyed(mId);
+
+    // Note: If the HWC display was actually disconnected, these calls are will
+    // return an error. We always make them as there may be other reasons for
+    // the HWC2::Display to be destroyed.
+    auto intError = mComposer.destroyLayer(mDisplay->getId(), mId);
     auto error = static_cast<Error>(intError);
     ALOGE_IF(error != Error::NONE,
              "destroyLayer(%" PRIu64 ", %" PRIu64 ")"
              " failed: %s (%d)",
-             mDisplayId, mId, to_string(error).c_str(), intError);
+             mDisplay->getId(), mId, to_string(error).c_str(), intError);
+
+    mDisplay = nullptr;
 }
 
 Error Layer::setCursorPosition(int32_t x, int32_t y)
 {
-    auto intError = mComposer.setCursorPosition(mDisplayId, mId, x, y);
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
+    auto intError = mComposer.setCursorPosition(mDisplay->getId(), mId, x, y);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setBuffer(uint32_t slot, const sp<GraphicBuffer>& buffer,
         const sp<Fence>& acquireFence)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     if (buffer == nullptr && mBufferSlot == slot) {
         return Error::NONE;
     }
     mBufferSlot = slot;
 
     int32_t fenceFd = acquireFence->dup();
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerBuffer(mDisplayId, mId, slot, buffer,
-                                             fenceFd);
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerBuffer(mDisplay->getId(), mId, slot, buffer, fenceFd);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setSurfaceDamage(const Region& damage)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     if (damage.isRect() && mDamageRegion.isRect() &&
         (damage.getBounds() == mDamageRegion.getBounds())) {
         return Error::NONE;
@@ -617,8 +649,8 @@
     // rects for HWC
     Hwc2::Error intError = Hwc2::Error::NONE;
     if (damage.isRect() && damage.getBounds() == Rect::INVALID_RECT) {
-        intError = mComposer.setLayerSurfaceDamage(mDisplayId,
-                mId, std::vector<Hwc2::IComposerClient::Rect>());
+        intError = mComposer.setLayerSurfaceDamage(mDisplay->getId(), mId,
+                                                   std::vector<Hwc2::IComposerClient::Rect>());
     } else {
         size_t rectCount = 0;
         auto rectArray = damage.getArray(&rectCount);
@@ -629,7 +661,7 @@
                     rectArray[rect].right, rectArray[rect].bottom});
         }
 
-        intError = mComposer.setLayerSurfaceDamage(mDisplayId, mId, hwcRects);
+        intError = mComposer.setLayerSurfaceDamage(mDisplay->getId(), mId, hwcRects);
     }
 
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
@@ -637,34 +669,54 @@
 
 Error Layer::setBlendMode(BlendMode mode)
 {
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerBlendMode(mDisplayId, mId, mode);
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerBlendMode(mDisplay->getId(), mId, mode);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setColor(Color color) {
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerColor(mDisplayId, mId, color);
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerColor(mDisplay->getId(), mId, color);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setCompositionType(Composition type)
 {
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerCompositionType(mDisplayId, mId, type);
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerCompositionType(mDisplay->getId(), mId, type);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setDataspace(Dataspace dataspace)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     if (dataspace == mDataSpace) {
         return Error::NONE;
     }
     mDataSpace = dataspace;
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerDataspace(mDisplayId, mId, mDataSpace);
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerDataspace(mDisplay->getId(), mId, mDataSpace);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setPerFrameMetadata(const int32_t supportedPerFrameMetadata,
         const android::HdrMetadata& metadata)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     if (metadata == mHdrMetadata) {
         return Error::NONE;
     }
@@ -705,7 +757,7 @@
     }
 
     Error error = static_cast<Error>(
-            mComposer.setLayerPerFrameMetadata(mDisplayId, mId, perFrameMetadatas));
+            mComposer.setLayerPerFrameMetadata(mDisplay->getId(), mId, perFrameMetadatas));
 
     if (validTypes & HdrMetadata::HDR10PLUS) {
         if (CC_UNLIKELY(mHdrMetadata.hdr10plus.size() == 0)) {
@@ -715,8 +767,9 @@
         std::vector<Hwc2::PerFrameMetadataBlob> perFrameMetadataBlobs;
         perFrameMetadataBlobs.push_back(
                 {Hwc2::PerFrameMetadataKey::HDR10_PLUS_SEI, mHdrMetadata.hdr10plus});
-        Error setMetadataBlobsError = static_cast<Error>(
-                mComposer.setLayerPerFrameMetadataBlobs(mDisplayId, mId, perFrameMetadataBlobs));
+        Error setMetadataBlobsError =
+                static_cast<Error>(mComposer.setLayerPerFrameMetadataBlobs(mDisplay->getId(), mId,
+                                                                           perFrameMetadataBlobs));
         if (error == Error::NONE) {
             return setMetadataBlobsError;
         }
@@ -726,46 +779,70 @@
 
 Error Layer::setDisplayFrame(const Rect& frame)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     Hwc2::IComposerClient::Rect hwcRect{frame.left, frame.top,
         frame.right, frame.bottom};
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerDisplayFrame(mDisplayId, mId, hwcRect);
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerDisplayFrame(mDisplay->getId(), mId, hwcRect);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setPlaneAlpha(float alpha)
 {
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerPlaneAlpha(mDisplayId, mId, alpha);
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerPlaneAlpha(mDisplay->getId(), mId, alpha);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setSidebandStream(const native_handle_t* stream)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     if (mCapabilities.count(Capability::SIDEBAND_STREAM) == 0) {
         ALOGE("Attempted to call setSidebandStream without checking that the "
                 "device supports sideband streams");
         return Error::UNSUPPORTED;
     }
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerSidebandStream(mDisplayId, mId, stream);
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerSidebandStream(mDisplay->getId(), mId, stream);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setSourceCrop(const FloatRect& crop)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     Hwc2::IComposerClient::FRect hwcRect{
         crop.left, crop.top, crop.right, crop.bottom};
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerSourceCrop(mDisplayId, mId, hwcRect);
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerSourceCrop(mDisplay->getId(), mId, hwcRect);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setTransform(Transform transform)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     auto intTransform = static_cast<Hwc2::Transform>(transform);
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerTransform(mDisplayId, mId, intTransform);
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerTransform(mDisplay->getId(), mId, intTransform);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setVisibleRegion(const Region& region)
 {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     if (region.isRect() && mVisibleRegion.isRect() &&
         (region.getBounds() == mVisibleRegion.getBounds())) {
         return Error::NONE;
@@ -781,22 +858,30 @@
                 rectArray[rect].right, rectArray[rect].bottom});
     }
 
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerVisibleRegion(mDisplayId, mId, hwcRects);
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerVisibleRegion(mDisplay->getId(), mId, hwcRects);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 Error Layer::setZOrder(uint32_t z)
 {
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerZOrder(mDisplayId, mId, z);
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerZOrder(mDisplay->getId(), mId, z);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
 // Composer HAL 2.3
 Error Layer::setColorTransform(const android::mat4& matrix) {
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
     if (matrix == mColorMatrix) {
         return Error::NONE;
     }
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerColorTransform(mDisplayId, mId, matrix.asArray());
+    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerColorTransform(mDisplay->getId(), mId, matrix.asArray());
     Error error = static_cast<Error>(intError);
     if (error != Error::NONE) {
         return error;
@@ -808,7 +893,12 @@
 // Composer HAL 2.4
 Error Layer::setLayerGenericMetadata(const std::string& name, bool mandatory,
                                      const std::vector<uint8_t>& value) {
-    auto intError = mComposer.setLayerGenericMetadata(mDisplayId, mId, name, mandatory, value);
+    if (CC_UNLIKELY(!mDisplay)) {
+        return Error::BAD_DISPLAY;
+    }
+
+    auto intError =
+            mComposer.setLayerGenericMetadata(mDisplay->getId(), mId, name, mandatory, value);
     return static_cast<Error>(intError);
 }
 
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWC2.h b/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWC2.h
index e7bf286..fae95e7 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWC2.h
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWC2.h
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include <android-base/expected.h>
 #include <gui/HdrMetadata.h>
 #include <math/mat4.h>
 #include <ui/HdrCapabilities.h>
@@ -84,10 +85,11 @@
     virtual void setConnected(bool connected) = 0; // For use by Device only
     virtual const std::unordered_set<hal::DisplayCapability>& getCapabilities() const = 0;
     virtual bool isVsyncPeriodSwitchSupported() const = 0;
+    virtual void onLayerDestroyed(hal::HWLayerId layerId) = 0;
 
     [[clang::warn_unused_result]] virtual hal::Error acceptChanges() = 0;
-    [[clang::warn_unused_result]] virtual hal::Error createLayer(Layer** outLayer) = 0;
-    [[clang::warn_unused_result]] virtual hal::Error destroyLayer(Layer* layer) = 0;
+    [[clang::warn_unused_result]] virtual base::expected<std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer>, hal::Error>
+    createLayer() = 0;
     [[clang::warn_unused_result]] virtual hal::Error getChangedCompositionTypes(
             std::unordered_map<Layer*, hal::Composition>* outTypes) = 0;
     [[clang::warn_unused_result]] virtual hal::Error getColorModes(
@@ -152,6 +154,8 @@
 
 namespace impl {
 
+class Layer;
+
 class Display : public HWC2::Display {
 public:
     Display(android::Hwc2::Composer&, const std::unordered_set<hal::Capability>&, hal::HWDisplayId,
@@ -160,10 +164,9 @@
 
     // Required by HWC2
     hal::Error acceptChanges() override;
-    hal::Error createLayer(Layer** outLayer) override;
-    hal::Error destroyLayer(Layer*) override;
+    base::expected<std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer>, hal::Error> createLayer() override;
     hal::Error getChangedCompositionTypes(
-            std::unordered_map<Layer*, hal::Composition>* outTypes) override;
+            std::unordered_map<HWC2::Layer*, hal::Composition>* outTypes) override;
     hal::Error getColorModes(std::vector<hal::ColorMode>* outModes) const override;
     // Returns a bitmask which contains HdrMetadata::Type::*.
     int32_t getSupportedPerFrameMetadata() const override;
@@ -174,7 +177,7 @@
     hal::Error getName(std::string* outName) const override;
     hal::Error getRequests(
             hal::DisplayRequest* outDisplayRequests,
-            std::unordered_map<Layer*, hal::LayerRequest>* outLayerRequests) override;
+            std::unordered_map<HWC2::Layer*, hal::LayerRequest>* outLayerRequests) override;
     hal::Error getConnectionType(ui::DisplayConnectionType*) const override;
     hal::Error supportsDoze(bool* outSupport) const override;
     hal::Error getHdrCapabilities(android::HdrCapabilities* outCapabilities) const override;
@@ -185,8 +188,8 @@
                                                 uint64_t maxFrames) const override;
     hal::Error getDisplayedContentSample(uint64_t maxFrames, uint64_t timestamp,
                                          android::DisplayedFrameStats* outStats) const override;
-    hal::Error getReleaseFences(
-            std::unordered_map<Layer*, android::sp<android::Fence>>* outFences) const override;
+    hal::Error getReleaseFences(std::unordered_map<HWC2::Layer*, android::sp<android::Fence>>*
+                                        outFences) const override;
     hal::Error present(android::sp<android::Fence>* outPresentFence) override;
     hal::Error setClientTarget(uint32_t slot, const android::sp<android::GraphicBuffer>& target,
                                const android::sp<android::Fence>& acquireFence,
@@ -218,13 +221,14 @@
     const std::unordered_set<hal::DisplayCapability>& getCapabilities() const override {
         return mDisplayCapabilities;
     };
-    virtual bool isVsyncPeriodSwitchSupported() const override;
+    bool isVsyncPeriodSwitchSupported() const override;
+    void onLayerDestroyed(hal::HWLayerId layerId) override;
 
 private:
 
     // This may fail (and return a null pointer) if no layer with this ID exists
     // on this display
-    Layer* getLayerById(hal::HWLayerId) const;
+    std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer> getLayerById(hal::HWLayerId id) const;
 
     friend android::TestableSurfaceFlinger;
 
@@ -240,7 +244,8 @@
     hal::DisplayType mType;
     bool mIsConnected = false;
 
-    std::unordered_map<hal::HWLayerId, std::unique_ptr<Layer>> mLayers;
+    using Layers = std::unordered_map<hal::HWLayerId, std::weak_ptr<HWC2::impl::Layer>>;
+    Layers mLayers;
 
     std::once_flag mDisplayCapabilityQueryFlag;
     std::unordered_set<hal::DisplayCapability> mDisplayCapabilities;
@@ -295,10 +300,12 @@
 class Layer : public HWC2::Layer {
 public:
     Layer(android::Hwc2::Composer& composer,
-          const std::unordered_set<hal::Capability>& capabilities, hal::HWDisplayId displayId,
+          const std::unordered_set<hal::Capability>& capabilities, HWC2::Display& display,
           hal::HWLayerId layerId);
     ~Layer() override;
 
+    void onOwningDisplayDestroyed();
+
     hal::HWLayerId getId() const override { return mId; }
 
     hal::Error setCursorPosition(int32_t x, int32_t y) override;
@@ -334,7 +341,7 @@
     android::Hwc2::Composer& mComposer;
     const std::unordered_set<hal::Capability>& mCapabilities;
 
-    hal::HWDisplayId mDisplayId;
+    HWC2::Display* mDisplay;
     hal::HWLayerId mId;
 
     // Cached HWC2 data, to ensure the same commands aren't sent to the HWC
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWComposer.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWComposer.cpp
index dc4839e..36876dc 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWComposer.cpp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWComposer.cpp
@@ -305,20 +305,15 @@
     return value;
 }
 
-HWC2::Layer* HWComposer::createLayer(HalDisplayId displayId) {
+std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer> HWComposer::createLayer(HalDisplayId displayId) {
     RETURN_IF_INVALID_DISPLAY(displayId, nullptr);
 
-    HWC2::Layer* layer;
-    auto error = mDisplayData[displayId].hwcDisplay->createLayer(&layer);
-    RETURN_IF_HWC_ERROR(error, displayId, nullptr);
-    return layer;
-}
-
-void HWComposer::destroyLayer(HalDisplayId displayId, HWC2::Layer* layer) {
-    RETURN_IF_INVALID_DISPLAY(displayId);
-
-    auto error = mDisplayData[displayId].hwcDisplay->destroyLayer(layer);
-    RETURN_IF_HWC_ERROR(error, displayId);
+    auto expected = mDisplayData[displayId].hwcDisplay->createLayer();
+    if (!expected.has_value()) {
+        auto error = std::move(expected).error();
+        RETURN_IF_HWC_ERROR(error, displayId, nullptr);
+    }
+    return std::move(expected).value();
 }
 
 bool HWComposer::isConnected(PhysicalDisplayId displayId) const {
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWComposer.h b/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWComposer.h
index 5bad529..d0c0c11 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWComposer.h
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/DisplayHardware/HWComposer.h
@@ -116,9 +116,7 @@
     virtual void allocatePhysicalDisplay(hal::HWDisplayId, PhysicalDisplayId) = 0;
 
     // Attempts to create a new layer on this display
-    virtual HWC2::Layer* createLayer(HalDisplayId) = 0;
-    // Destroy a previously created layer
-    virtual void destroyLayer(HalDisplayId, HWC2::Layer*) = 0;
+    virtual std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer> createLayer(HalDisplayId) = 0;
 
     // Gets any required composition change requests from the HWC device.
     //
@@ -264,9 +262,7 @@
     void allocatePhysicalDisplay(hal::HWDisplayId, PhysicalDisplayId) override;
 
     // Attempts to create a new layer on this display
-    HWC2::Layer* createLayer(HalDisplayId) override;
-    // Destroy a previously created layer
-    void destroyLayer(HalDisplayId, HWC2::Layer*) override;
+    std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer> createLayer(HalDisplayId) override;
 
     status_t getDeviceCompositionChanges(
             HalDisplayId, bool frameUsesClientComposition,
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/Android.bp b/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/Android.bp
index 88fb811..b33434e 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/Android.bp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/Android.bp
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@
         "VSyncReactorTest.cpp",
         "VsyncConfigurationTest.cpp",
         "mock/DisplayHardware/MockComposer.cpp",
+        "mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.cpp",
         "mock/DisplayHardware/MockPowerAdvisor.cpp",
         "mock/MockEventThread.cpp",
         "mock/MockFrameTimeline.cpp",
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/HWComposerTest.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/HWComposerTest.cpp
index 6b82170..cbf8cc2 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/HWComposerTest.cpp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/HWComposerTest.cpp
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 #include "DisplayHardware/HWComposer.h"
 #include "DisplayHardware/Hal.h"
 #include "mock/DisplayHardware/MockComposer.h"
+#include "mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.h"
 
 // TODO(b/129481165): remove the #pragma below and fix conversion issues
 #pragma clang diagnostic pop // ignored "-Wconversion"
@@ -120,13 +121,19 @@
     static constexpr hal::HWLayerId kLayerId = static_cast<hal::HWLayerId>(1002);
 
     HWComposerLayerTest(const std::unordered_set<hal::Capability>& capabilities)
-          : mCapabilies(capabilities) {}
+          : mCapabilies(capabilities) {
+        EXPECT_CALL(mDisplay, getId()).WillRepeatedly(Return(kDisplayId));
+    }
 
-    ~HWComposerLayerTest() override { EXPECT_CALL(*mHal, destroyLayer(kDisplayId, kLayerId)); }
+    ~HWComposerLayerTest() override {
+        EXPECT_CALL(mDisplay, onLayerDestroyed(kLayerId));
+        EXPECT_CALL(*mHal, destroyLayer(kDisplayId, kLayerId));
+    }
 
     std::unique_ptr<Hwc2::mock::Composer> mHal{new StrictMock<Hwc2::mock::Composer>()};
     const std::unordered_set<hal::Capability> mCapabilies;
-    HWC2::impl::Layer mLayer{*mHal, mCapabilies, kDisplayId, kLayerId};
+    StrictMock<HWC2::mock::Display> mDisplay;
+    HWC2::impl::Layer mLayer{*mHal, mCapabilies, mDisplay, kLayerId};
 };
 
 struct HWComposerLayerGenericMetadataTest : public HWComposerLayerTest {
@@ -176,4 +183,4 @@
 }
 
 } // namespace
-} // namespace android
\ No newline at end of file
+} // namespace android
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2647bf4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2021 The Android Open Source Project
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+#undef LOG_TAG
+#define LOG_TAG "MockHWC2"
+
+#include "mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.h"
+
+namespace android::HWC2::mock {
+
+// Explicit default instantiation is recommended.
+Display::Display() = default;
+Display::~Display() = default;
+
+Layer::Layer() = default;
+Layer::~Layer() = default;
+
+} // namespace android::HWC2::mock
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.h b/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c3919d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/tests/unittests/mock/DisplayHardware/MockHWC2.h
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2021 The Android Open Source Project
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <gmock/gmock.h>
+
+#include "DisplayHardware/HWC2.h"
+
+namespace android::HWC2::mock {
+
+class Display : public HWC2::Display {
+public:
+    Display();
+    ~Display() override;
+
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::HWDisplayId, getId, (), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(bool, isConnected, (), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(void, setConnected, (bool), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(const std::unordered_set<hal::DisplayCapability> &, getCapabilities, (),
+                (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(bool, isVsyncPeriodSwitchSupported, (), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(void, onLayerDestroyed, (hal::HWLayerId), (override));
+
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, acceptChanges, (), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD((base::expected<std::shared_ptr<HWC2::Layer>, hal::Error>), createLayer, (),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getChangedCompositionTypes,
+                ((std::unordered_map<Layer *, hal::Composition> *)), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getColorModes, (std::vector<hal::ColorMode> *), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(int32_t, getSupportedPerFrameMetadata, (), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getRenderIntents, (hal::ColorMode, std::vector<hal::RenderIntent> *),
+                (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getDataspaceSaturationMatrix, (hal::Dataspace, android::mat4 *),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getName, (std::string *), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getRequests,
+                (hal::DisplayRequest *, (std::unordered_map<Layer *, hal::LayerRequest> *)),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getConnectionType, (ui::DisplayConnectionType *), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, supportsDoze, (bool *), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getHdrCapabilities, (android::HdrCapabilities *), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getDisplayedContentSamplingAttributes,
+                (hal::PixelFormat *, hal::Dataspace *, uint8_t *), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setDisplayContentSamplingEnabled, (bool, uint8_t, uint64_t),
+                (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getDisplayedContentSample,
+                (uint64_t, uint64_t, android::DisplayedFrameStats *), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getReleaseFences,
+                ((std::unordered_map<Layer *, android::sp<android::Fence>> *)), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, present, (android::sp<android::Fence> *), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setClientTarget,
+                (uint32_t, const android::sp<android::GraphicBuffer> &,
+                 const android::sp<android::Fence> &, hal::Dataspace),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setColorMode, (hal::ColorMode, hal::RenderIntent), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setColorTransform, (const android::mat4 &, hal::ColorTransform),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setOutputBuffer,
+                (const android::sp<android::GraphicBuffer> &, const android::sp<android::Fence> &),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setPowerMode, (hal::PowerMode), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setVsyncEnabled, (hal::Vsync), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, validate, (uint32_t *, uint32_t *), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, presentOrValidate,
+                (uint32_t *, uint32_t *, android::sp<android::Fence> *, uint32_t *), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(std::future<hal::Error>, setDisplayBrightness, (float), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setActiveConfigWithConstraints,
+                (hal::HWConfigId, const hal::VsyncPeriodChangeConstraints &,
+                 hal::VsyncPeriodChangeTimeline *),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setAutoLowLatencyMode, (bool), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getSupportedContentTypes, (std::vector<hal::ContentType> *),
+                (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setContentType, (hal::ContentType), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, getClientTargetProperty, (hal::ClientTargetProperty *), (override));
+};
+
+class Layer : public HWC2::Layer {
+public:
+    Layer();
+    ~Layer() override;
+
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::HWLayerId, getId, (), (const, override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setCursorPosition, (int32_t, int32_t), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setBuffer,
+                (uint32_t, const android::sp<android::GraphicBuffer> &,
+                 const android::sp<android::Fence> &),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setSurfaceDamage, (const android::Region &), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setBlendMode, (hal::BlendMode), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setColor, (hal::Color), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setCompositionType, (hal::Composition), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setDataspace, (android::ui::Dataspace), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setPerFrameMetadata, (const int32_t, const android::HdrMetadata &),
+                (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setDisplayFrame, (const android::Rect &), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setPlaneAlpha, (float), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setSidebandStream, (const native_handle_t *), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setSourceCrop, (const android::FloatRect &), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setTransform, (hal::Transform), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setVisibleRegion, (const android::Region &), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setZOrder, (uint32_t), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setColorTransform, (const android::mat4 &), (override));
+    MOCK_METHOD(hal::Error, setLayerGenericMetadata,
+                (const std::string &, bool, const std::vector<uint8_t> &), (override));
+};
+
+} // namespace android::HWC2::mock