Here’s how you can download and install the TWRP recovery on your shiny new Motorola Moto X Play. You’ll need to unlock bootloader of your Moto X Play first, and then your device gets ready for flashing/installing TWRP recovery. See the link in the guide below on how to do this.

The Moto X Play TWRP is available in version 2.8.7.0. Although not the latest version exactly, it’s the latest major upgrade for sure.For what’s it worth, the latest version of TWRP is 2.8.7.3, but is not available on many devices yet.

Using the TWRP recovery on Moto X Play, you can take nandroid backups and even root your Moto X Play easily. If you wish to install Xposed framework and use its modules, you will need root access.

If you ever wish to install custom ROMs, or mods, you will need TWRP recovery. It’s a good tool to have, but installing this means getting warranty void, because you need to unlock your Moto X Play for TWRP, and doing that voids your device’s warranty.

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 X Play TWRP Recovery — Link | File: TWRP-lux-2.8.7.0.img (9.69 MB)
  • SuperSU Root package — Link | File: UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip

Supported devices

  • Motorola Moto X Play, model no. XT1562
  • 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.

Step 1. Unlock bootloader of your Moto X Play using the Motorola’s own site here. Without unlock bootloader of your Moto X Play, you cannot install TWRP, and cannot root it either.

In case your device is  not accepted at the Motorola’s page above, then it’s possible that unlocking bootloader is possible without any help from Motorola. it’s actually easier.  For this, do the step 4 below right away (then do step 2 and 3 below), and then select the “Allow OEM unlock” checkbox in Settings > Developer options. This will unlock the bootloader of your device.

Step 2. Install ADB drivers.

Step 3. Install Moto X Play driver. (Common for all Motorola Android devices.)

Step 4. On your Moto X Play, enable USB debugging. For this:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Step 5. Connect your Moto X Play 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.
Allow USB Debugging

Step 6. Download the Moto X Play 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.

Step 7. Rename the recovery file, from twrp-osprey-2.8.7-test1.img, to a simple one, motog3-twrp.img

Step 8. Now, open command window in the folder where you have the motog3-twrp.img file. For this:

  1. Open that folder and then left click on empty white space in the folder.
  2. Now, while holding shift key, right click on empty white space to get a pop-up as shown below.
  3. Now choose Open command window here option from that.
    open command windows here
    You will see a command window open up, with location directed to folder where you have the twrp recovery file.

Step 9. Boot your Moto X Play 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.

Step 10. 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

Step 11. Flash Moto X Play TWRP recovery now. Use the following command for that.

fastboot flash recovery motog3-twrp.img

Step 12. TWRP recovery will now be installed on your Moto X Play. 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 X Play by pressing and holding power button until screen goes off.

Step 13. [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.

Step 14. 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.

Step 15. Tap on Reboot System to restart the device. That’s it.

Happy flashing!

And let us know if you need any help regarding installation of TWRP recovery on your Moto X Play. Use the comments section below.