Say cheers to Android 5.1 update that’s unofficially available for Moto G 1st Gen, 2013 edition, and in fact, there are two Android 5.1 ROMs available. The first one is GPe edition for which you need your Moto G to be GPe converted, while the other and more interesting one, is the CyanogenMod 12.1, aka, CM12.1.

Both of the ROMs are quite good, and we really think you’re gonna love the experience till the official update comes in the direction of your Moto G. The ROMs are stable and good enough to serve you as a daily driver.

Compatibility with GPe ROM, please read!

Before we begin, let’s make clear that you need either model no. XT1032, or the GPe converted XT1033 device, for your Moto G 2013, 1st Gen edition, to be compatible with the GPe ROM. If you need help with converting your Moto G to its GPe edition, see this page.

The ROM consists of the system and boot files, and keeps the bootloader untouched, which means that you have no fear of bricking your device using this ROM. It’s ultra smooth in operation, so much that you cannot expect the official Motorola update to better this by much.

What about official update release?

Motorola is quick with updates, but still expect a month’s wait before the 5.1 update hits your Moto G 2013. Could be early May, when you could be receiving the 5.1 OTA on your Moto G 2013. Users of 2014 edition of Moto G are yet to see an update too.

Benefits and drawbacks of the unofficial update

The early access is the sole reason, otherwise you’re getting the update anyway. Motorola keeps the Android UI untouched, so there’s no automatic advantage of getting rid of OEM custom skin we find on devices of Samsung and LG, where these kind of ROMs gain additional significance for the stock Android UI alone, so much that many users are happy to sacrifice some basic proprietary functions of their device — example in case being Note 4, whose S-Pen isn’t supported on Android 5.1 AOSP ROMs.

There isn’t much on the negative side either. You have to do some tedious job of unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP recovery and such, but that’s worth a lot. It breaks your warranty, but still is worth it.

Custom ROMs like CM12.1, AICP, SOKP, etc. offer lots of cool features to your device, and we’d certainly recommend you to try them once they are available. You need both unlocked bootloader and TWRP recovery for installing a custom ROM.

Find word? Worth it.

Removing the unofficial update?

Well, that’s super easy. You can relock the bootloader again with a simple command “fastboot oem lock” and then run the company’s own firmware, using RSDlite software to go back to stock on your Moto G 2013. You’d find the need of doing that btw, as there are only slim chances that once you’ve entered the custom ROMs scene, you’d always want the features offered by your fav ROM.

Even if you decide to go for Motorola’s update, completely unmodified, they are available too via plain custom ROMs that are void of any customization, and get you plain latest firmware.

Note: You know, because this ROM is not an official Motorola Android 5.1 update for Moto G, chances are it could contain few kinks at some corners. Any major bugs will be reported below.

1st Gen Moto G 2013 Android 5.1 update

Sr. #

ROM

Downloads

Major Bugs

1

CyanogenMod 12.1

(CM12.1)

Development page | By: codyF86

None

Note: Convert your Moto G to GPe from here, first.

2

GPe ROM

Development page | By: srisurya95

None
Supported devices
  • Motorola Moto G 1st Gen, 2013 edition
  • Don’t try on any other device whatsoever
Instructions

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.

Important Note: 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.

  1. Transfer the ROM file to your device’s internal storage and remember the location where you save it.
  2. You need TWRP recovery for this. Get it from here (XT1032) or here (XT1033). There’s good instructions set there, too. For more help, Google is your friend.
  3. Boot into Recovery mode.
  4. Make a backup. Once in TWRP recovery, take a backup of your current ROM. Select Backup, then do a “Swipe to Back Up” on the bottom of the screen. Wait for the backup to finish, it’s a time consuming process.
  5. Wipe your device. Once the backup is finished, do this: tap on Wipe, then Advanced wipe, and then select Cache, Dalvik/ART cache and Data. Then do the “Swipe to wipe” at bottom to ready the device for ROM flashing by erasing the cache, dalvik cache and data in one shot.
  6. Install ROM now. Go back to the main menu of TWRP recovery and select Install. Navigate to the file where you saved your ROM’s zip file, select it and “Swipe to Confirm Flash” on the bottom of the screen. Now wait until the flashing process finishes.
  7. Go to back to recovery’s Main menu, select Reboot » select System.

Your device will now reboot with Android 5.1 update!

In case you need any help over this, let us know. And, you can thank the developer for creating the ROM.

Android 5.1 update is also available on: