Unlocking the bootloader of Moto Z or Moto Z Force is a first step towards installing custom recovery like TWRP, or rooting the device. Both of which is fun, but make sure that such hack is cool with Android Pay before doing this, if you plan to use that service as root and Android pay don’t get along usually.

If you have got no concern about rooting, none for us BTW, then go ahead and unlock the bootloader of your Moto Z. You will need to use Motorola’s site for this, as they provide you the unlock token, after you provide them the code (as you’ll see soon), to enable you to unlock the bootloader.

How to Unlock Bootloader of Moto Z and Z Force

Step 1. Create necessary backup of your Moto Z (or Z Force). This will delete everything, so it’s good to have a solid backup of your personal files and pics and videos.

Step 2. Install required driver:

Step 3. Reboot your Moto Z into fastboot mode.

Step 4. Enable USB Debugging on your Moto Z.

Step 5. Go into Developer options again, and enable the ‘OEM Unlock‘ from there.

Step 6. Reboot Moto Z into Fastboot mode. Then connect it to PC.

Step 7. Now, open a command window. Here’s how.

  1. While holding shift key, right click from mouse on the white space inside the folder. You’ll get a pop-up as shown below.
    open command windows here
  2. Select the option: Open command window here

Step 8. Now, type this into command window to get unlock data code.

fastboot oem get_unlock_data

You would gets a result which looks like below.

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

Step 9. Now, open this page on Motorola’s site, where you have to copy paste the string you got in command window. Sign up (use Google+ option thereat to make it quick and easy) on Motorola’s page, and make then make sure you are logged in.

Step 10. Copy the unlock code from command window. Right click and choose ‘Mark’ option in command window, and then drag using left button of mouse to select the unlock code. Then use right button to copy it. You may use Google search for more help regarding copying from command window.

Step 11. On the Motorola page, paste the unlock code in the field provided in step 6 on that page.

Step 12. Now, click on ‘Can my device be unlocked?‘ button. While Droid edition of the Moto Z can’t be unlocked, every other piece could be.

Step 13. Once Motorola confirms you can unlock your Moto Z, use the ‘I Agree‘ option below to agree to terms, and then click on ‘Request unlock key’ button.

Step 14. You will get a pop-up telling you that this will void your device’s warranty. Click on OK to confirm it.

Step 15. In return, Motorola will send the unlock key to your email ID. Check your email, and download the unlock key Motorola sent you.

Step 16. Now, run the following command to unlock Moto Z.

fastboot oem unlock UNLOCK_CODE_HERE

Use the unlock code you received in mail, in place of text UNLOCK_CODE_HERE above.

Step 17. Keep an eye on your Moto Z’s screen. It will say Unlock, and then Unlocked! The device will reboot automatically thereafter. You will see a bootloader unlocked warning every time you start your Moto Z from now on. But don’t worry, it’s okay.

Job done. Now you can install TWRP recovery and then go ahead and root your device and then play with Xposed and stuff, or simply root requiring apps.