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Moto G: how to unlock the Bootloader and root

moto g super su root
© nextpit

The Motorola Moto G has been out for a while, but the device still manages to do a lot with the help of some advanced processes. We have just updated our how-to guide to share with you a fast and convenient method for unlocking the bootloader and then rooting your device. 

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Unlock the Bootloader

Please note: this process will erase all data on your smartphone, so it's important to complete a backup before! We assume, as usual, no liability for any damage or data loss. Unlocking the bootloader will likely void your device's warranty.

First, you must unlock the bootloader of the Moto G. For instructions and the necessary drivers, you get these directly from Motorola’s website, since the company requires you to login and get a unique password. Then you must enable developer options by tapping on your phone's Version number in the About phone section of your device settings. 

Now, download the ADB tools and unzip them on your original computer. In addition, you need the latest Motorola USB drivers.

Now turn off your smartphone. Put it in fastboot mode by holding down the volume down and power buttons simultaneously. Wait a few seconds, then let the power button and the volume button go again. Connect the smartphone via USB to your PC. Navigate to the folder where you have unzipped the ADB tools. Hold down the shift key and click with the right mouse button on an empty spot in Windows Explorer. Select "Open command window here."

Give the command prompt the following command: "fastboot device". Then you will get a message that your device is recognized, otherwise you'll have to download the Motorola USB drivers here.

Once that is done, give the command prompt the following command: "fastboot oem get_unlock_data" and then press enter. A string will appear that looks similar to this:

fastboot oem get_unlock_data

(bootloader) 0A40040192024205#4C4D3556313230
(bootloader) 30373731363031303332323239#BD00
(bootloader) 8A672BA4746C2CE02328A2AC0C39F95
(bootloader) 1A3E5#1F53280002000000000000000
(bootloader) 0000000

Copy the character sequence by clicking on the right button of your mouse in the prompt, choose "Select" and then select the highlighted five lines. Press the enter key now to copy the text to the clipboard and then paste it into the input window on the Motorola website. Ensure that there are no spaces. Please also note that "(bootloader)" must not be copied!

motog bootloader 1
© NextPit

Click on "Can my device be unlocked?", then scroll to the bottom of the page. Put a tick in the "I Agree" box and click on "Request Unlock Key". You should have received a code by email now. Copy it to the clipboard and then go back to the prompt. If the Moto G is still connected to the PC, you can directly input the following command:

fastboot oem unlock [here you will enter the 20 character long code with the right button of your mouse.]

motog bootloader 2
© NextPit

Ready! The Moto G will now start automatically and the bootloader is unlocked. Now you can get going with the root procedure.

AndroidPIT Moto G Nougat 1590
You can even put CM14, based on Android 7.0 Nougat, on your Moto G. / © NextPit

Install custom recovery

First, find out your device model by going to Settings > About phone > Legal information. Then download the latest version of your custom recovery from TWRP.

Download the file from TWRP, then place the one with the extension ".img" in the same folder where you unzipper ADB tools. Then rename the file to something simple, like "TWRP.img" so it will be easy to find later. Then open the command window as before and enter the following commands: "Adb device" then "Adb reboot-bootloader" then "Fastboot" then "Fastboot flash recovery [your TWRP file name saved in the ADB folder]". If it worked, your device will open the custom recovery TWRP screen. Then you'll be informed of your success by the system, and you can accept the terms of use by swiping the blue button from left to right. Once you connect the device to your computer with a USB cable, it should recognize it immediately.

Root the Moto G

Let's now root the device from the freshly installed custom recovery on the device.

First, download the latest version of SuperSU.zip. Then put the zipped folder into the root folder of your device (which can be found at My Computer > Moto G). From the homescreen of TWRP, click Install and select the SuperSU.zip, then swipe to confirm.

Then you're ready! The Moto G should now restart and your smartphone has been successfully rooted. If you aren’t sure it worked, look in the App Drawer. Here you should now see the SuperSU application. If not, install the app Root Checker to check.

Do you plan on rooting your device? Did you manage to root your device using this process? Let us know in the comments.

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Camila Rinaldi

Camila Rinaldi
Head of Editorial

With over 10 years of reviewing smartphones and wearables, I recently became addicted to smart home gadgets. Even though I dove into the Apple ecosystem two years back, Android remains as one of my passions. Previously editor-in-chief of AndroidPIT and Canaltech in Brazil, I now write for the US market. I love my records and I believe that the best way to get to know a place is through its food.

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29 comments
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  • 1
    Sven Freud May 3, 2018 Link to comment

    Totally worked for me!!! Thanks !!!


  • Imanuel Ricko 1
    Imanuel Ricko Jan 27, 2018 Link to comment

    great tutorial.. Totally worked for me.. thanks :)


  • Loya Angli 1
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  • 3
    Rnimama Dec 14, 2016 Link to comment

    You probably do not know how to rooting your android device, in my opinion, Anyrooter is best application to rooting your android device,the software allow you to root HTC M 8 in an easy way, and ensure your android device and data will be protected , you don't worry about the data will be lost or harm, at same time ,the software can help you to remove and stop any app ads on you android phone, improve the battery life, ,it supports a wide range of android devices,like Samsung, Sony,Lg Huawei and more,,,,,


  • 1
    Edward López T. Jun 25, 2016 Link to comment

    Thanks, I could unlock the bootloader of my Moto G XT1040. And now I could root it with Kingo Root. Thanks a lot.


  • HEM LOHANI 1
    HEM LOHANI Dec 2, 2015 Link to comment

    nice & thanx alot my moto g xt1033 is now unlock


  • 1
    Johnathan Barker Jul 24, 2015 Link to comment

    WHen i enter the command fastboot oen get_update_data it only gives me ANOTHER list of commands


  • 1
    Amit Gehlot Jun 19, 2015 Link to comment

    Cant find supersu in the appdrawer :/


  • 1
    chirag jain May 10, 2015 Link to comment

    before unlocking bootloader how to back up apps???????plzzzzzz help


  • 1
    Tyler Barber Mar 21, 2015 Link to comment

    My device doesnt qualify


  • 1
    Chandravadan Kasture Jan 13, 2015 Link to comment

    i am not getting any mail from motorola

    MOTO G XT1033


  • 1
    rajesh kumar Jan 9, 2015 Link to comment

    showing Your device does not qualify for boot loader unlocking..................please reply me asap thanks in advance


    • 2
      Mersh Ker Feb 2, 2015 Link to comment

      This is simply!!
      Go to settings, scroll down where you see Motorola id, on the screen see an option where you see unlink account.
      Click on it!
      NOW TRY UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER AGAIN!
      GoodLUCK!!


      • 1
        Tyler Barber Mar 21, 2015 Link to comment

        where is settings on the moto g or cpu


  • 1
    Deepak singh Garia Sep 19, 2014 Link to comment

    bro not root but unlock is done


  • 1
    Lawrence O.Hwiree Aug 30, 2014 Link to comment

    they emailed me my code and i entered it and it said (bootloader) Password incorrect!
    (bootloader) OEM unlock failure!
    FAILED (remote failure)
    finished. total time: 0.319s
    im really starting to hate android


  • 2
    Subir Ranjan Aug 25, 2014 Link to comment

    I did the above steps and have successfully unlocked my MOTO G Dual Sim, India. Now the thing is that, I am unable to login with my google account. The Play Store is also not working. No email id it is taking.
    I lost my entire phonebook synced with my gmail account.
    How to log in again as we do previous to unlocking?


  • 1
    Izman Danish Aug 17, 2014 Link to comment

    I am unable to download the superuser file.What to do now?


  • JB Ellis 2
    JB Ellis Aug 7, 2014 Link to comment

    I am having a hard time Getting my Bootloader Unlock I have try Several Time and still Nothing


  • 1
    Bhawesh Agrawal Jun 12, 2014 Link to comment

    i am not getting any mail from motorola :(

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