[How To] Unlock Bootloader of Motorola Moto G

Motorola’s shine and pride, Moto G, despite being at the cutting edge price of 179$, has got lots of potential. How often really do we see quad-core chip-sets from a reputed OEM at this price. As it is with every other android phone, Moto G’s potential will also get doubled if it is wholly available to the user.

In this case, it would be when Moto G’s bootloader is unlocked — all ready for root, custom ROMs, custom recovery, etc., that is.

And if you are particularly excited about custom ROMs, custom recovery, mods, etc you must definitely get a bootloader unlocked of your Moto G.

Here, we have broken down the procedure in simple steps with which you will be able to unlock bootloader of Moto G.

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.

CHECK DEVICE MODEL NO.

To make sure your device is eligible with this, you must first confirm its model no. in ‘About device’ option under Settings. Another way to confirm model no. is by looking for it on the packaging box of your device. It must be XT1033/XT1032! 

This procedure here will work for both single-sim and dual-sim variants. Do not use the procedures discussed here on any device of Motorola or any other company. You have been warned!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN..

You must do this pre-installation stuff before attempting to unlock bootloader of Moto G in order to avoid any complications later, and have a smooth and successful process.

BACK UP YOUR DEVICE

Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on the internal memory, too.

For help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.

► ANDROID BACK UP AND RESTORE GUIDE: APPS AND TIPS

INSTALL MOTOROLA DEVICE MANAGER

You must have proper and working driver installed on your windows computer to be able to successfully unlock bootloader of your Motorola Moto G. In case you are not sure follow the instructions below.

►  ADB AND FASTBOOT DRIVERS FOR MOTOROLA PHONES AND TABLETS

CHARGE YOUR DEVICE

If your android device powers off due to lack of battery while the process is underway, it could damage the device.

So, make sure your device is adequately charged — at least 50% battery of the device.

GUIDE: MOTOROLA MOTO G UNLOCK BOOTLOADER

DOWNLOADS

 Fastboot and  ADB files (919 KB)
File name: adb_and_fastboot_files.zip

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

1. Prepare your phone:
   • Enable developer options: Go to your tablet’s Settings » select About phone » Scroll to the bottom and tap on “Build number” seven times to enable developer options.
   • Enable USB Debugging: Open phone’s Settings » select Developer options » Tick the “USB debugging” checkbox (under Debugging section).
2. Connect your tablet to PC with a USB cable and if a pop-up screen shows up on tablet asking you to Allow USB debugging for the computer, make sure you tick the checkbox and tap OK.
   
3. Power off your device and enter the Fastboot/Bootloader Mode: (Refer to the image below)
   
   1. Power off your phone first and wait for 6-7 seconds after display is off.
   2. Press and hold these 2 buttons together until you see the Fastboot screen: Power + Volume Down.
      
4. Extract the installer file, Fastboot and ADB files.zip (using 7-zip, preferably). You’ll get the following files:
   • adb.exe
   • AdbWinApi.dll
   • AdbWinUsbApi.dll
   • api-versions.xml
   • loki_flash
   • fastboot.exe
   • source.properties
5. In the folder where you extracted the above files, hold Shift Key and right click on an empty space and click on Open Command window here. (Refer to the image below)
   
6. In the command window, type the following:

   fastboot oem get_unlock_data

7. You will get a bootloader code, something like this:

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

   └ Note: Do not close the Command window yet.

8. Go to this link. This official Motorola page will inform you about the risks about unlocking bootloader. Read through them and if you still want to continue then, click on the Next button on the bottom of the page and register to the Motorola site on the following page.
   
9. In the Command Prompt window, you have to copy each line without the (bootloader) text and paste it in the website (Step 7) under the 6th step in the box given below it. (Refer to the image given below.)
   └ Note: To copy the text in the command prompt, right click anywhere and select mark. Then select the text which you want to copy and Right Click on it to copy it.
   
10. Now, click on the Can my device be unlocked button. If you have performed the last step correctly, it will show REQUEST UNLOCK KEY button at the bottom of the page.
11. Click on the I agree radio button, if you agree with their Legal Agreement and warning, and then click on REQUEST UNLOCK KEY button.
12. Within a few minutes (almost always instantly), you will receive an E-email to the E-mail ID with which you registered to the Motorola website (Step 7).
    └ Note: If you don’t see the E-mail from Motorola in your inbox within 20 minutes, check your spam folder.
13. In the E-Mail, you will receive a 20 character alpha numeric code, which we will use to finally unlock bootloader of your Moto G in the next step.
14. With the Moto G still connected to your computer, type in the following. Replace “your-code-here” with the code which you received in the E-Mail. The code is case sensitive, so just copy it and paste it to the command line below

    fastboot oem unlock your-code-here
    
    └ In case you don't know, you can use right-click to paste text in command prompt window.
    

15. Your fastboot screen on your Moto G will confirm that the bootloader is unlocked and it will reboot automatically and show the following screen at the start of boot process.
    

That’s all! Your phone will now reboot automatically, but every time you switch on or reboot your Moto G, it will show the Bootloader Unlocked screen.

 FEEDBACK US!

It was easy to unlock Moto G’s bootloader right? Let us know how you plan to use it further.

Your suggestions and queries, if any, are most welcomed.