Moto G 3rd Gen (2015) TWRP recovery and Root [Guide]

If you have already brought home the latest Moto G 3rd Gen, launched just 3 days ago, well, some god news for you as your flashing needs have already been well been taken care of. The amazing tool we know as TWRP recovery is available for your latest Moto G, launched in 2015 — yes you can root and install custom ROMs now, and also create nandroid backups. And it’s the latest v2.8.7.0 of TWRP that we’re talking about.

You will need to unlock bootloader of your Moto G 3rd G for this to work btw, which can be done easily via Motorola’s own website for this (see step 1 below). Once you have unlocked bootloader of your device, you can go ahead and install TWRP recovery using the guide below.

Note: We recommend you create a full backup of your device using TWRP right after installing it. So that if you install a bad ROM or mod, you can easily restore back to stock using this backup. This is also helpful with OTA updates. So, once again, don’t forget to take full backup right after installing the TWRP (step 13 in guide below).

Downloads

Moto G 3rd Gen (2015) TWRP Recovery — Link | File: twrp-osprey-2.8.7-test1.img (10.9 MB)
SuperSU Root package — Link | File: UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip

Supported devices

Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen (2015 edition), every model that is bootloader unlocked or can be unlocked from Motorola (see step 1 below)
Don’t try this one any other device!

Warning: Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page. You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Backup important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have backup of all your important files.

Unlock bootloader of your Moto G 3rd Gen using the Motorola’s own site here.

Install ADB drivers.

Install Moto G 3rd Gen driver. (Common for all Motorola Android devices.)

On your Moto G 3rd Gen, enable USB debugging. For this:

Go to Settings > About phone, and then tap ‘Build number’ 7 times or until you see the ‘you’re not a developer’ message pop up.
Go back to Settings, then choose ‘Developer options’. Find the ‘USB debugging’ option and use its toggle button to enable it. Accept warning by tapping on OK button.

Connect your Moto G 3rd Gen to PC now. You will get a pop-up as shown below on your phone when you connect for the first time after enabling USB debugging. Select ‘Always allow from this computer’ checkbox and then tap on OK button.

Download the Moto G 3rd Gen TWRP recovery from above. And also the SuperSU file that will be used to Root the device. Transfer the SuperSU file (UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip) to PC.

Rename the recovery file, from twrp-osprey-2.8.7-test1.img, to a simple one, motog3-twrp.img

Now, open command window in the folder where you have the motog3-twrp.img file. For this:

Open that folder and then left click on empty white space in the folder.
Now, while holding shift key, right click on empty white space to get a pop-up as shown below.
Now choose Open command window here option from that.

You will see a command window open up, with location directed to folder where you have the twrp recovery file.

Boot your Moto G 3rd Gen into Bootloader/Fastboot mode:

Power off your device and wait for 3-4 seconds after screen goes off.
Press and hold Power and Volume down together for 3 seconds and then let go. You’ll enter bootloader mode. And should see FASTBOOT written at top. It’s already in Fastboot mode by default.

Test whether fastboot is working alright. For this, run the command given below. (You can also copy paste the command and then use enter key to run it.)
→ Upon running command below, you should get a serial no. with fastboot written after it. If you don’t get fastboot written on cmd window, then it means you need to reinstall adb and fastboot drivers, or change restart PC, or use original USB cable.

fastboot devices

Flash Moto G 3rd Gen TWRP recovery now. Use the following command for that.

fastboot flash recovery motog3-twrp.img

TWRP recovery will now be installed on your Moto G 3rd Gen. When done, reboot into recovery mode. For this, while still in bootloader mdoe, select the Recovery option using Volume down button and then select it using Volume up button. Take care to not use Volume up button until you’ve reached recovery option. If you select wrong option, force restart your Moto G 3rd Gen by pressing and holding power button until screen goes off.

[Optional] You will see TWRP recovery, v2.87.0. Now, you must take a full backup of your phone, including system partition. In TWRP, tap on Backup, and then select all partitions. Then do the swipe action at bottom to start the backup process.

To Root, tap on Install button, and then browse and select the SuperSU file (UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip). Then on next screen, do the Swipe action at bottom to flash the root package.

Tap on Reboot System to restart the device. That’s it.

Happy flashing!

Oh btw, here are your own Moto G 3rd Gen’s wallpapers in case you wanna share them with friends.

And let us know if you need any help regarding installation of TWRP recovery on your Moto G 3rd Gen. Use the comments section below.

Credit: squid2

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