Hello,
This is a short (hopefully) guide on how to downgrade your Moto X 2013 from Android 5.1 to 4.4.4 (and lower).
The procedure is fairly simple and takes about 10-15 minutes, once you get the files you need.It does however needs some technical understanding of how to use fastboot, command prompt and eventually unlocking your bootloader.Fairly strong reading skills recommended.
WIth that said, make sure you read thorough and even few times before you take any actions.
This method has now been proven to be working by multiple people, on many different versions of Moto X 2013, including GPE
Disclaimer
Although this procedure has been tested by me and some friends numerous times, it still has some risk involved.You MUST be aware of the potential risks of modifying your phone software and performing actions that may lead to complete defunct of your device.
As you may expect I will not take any responsibility or be accountable for any damage or loss you may incur by following this guide.
Performing a system downgrade WILL void your warranty and it is NOT supported by Motorola/Lenovo or their service network.
I also recommend you read This post by KidJoe about the potential risks that downgrade might involve.
This guide has came up being needed as many people were afraid to downgrade after reading the post of KidJoe and I don't blame them, it is possible something to go wrong and you end up with non-working device.
HOWEVER, this has been tested on more than 10 separate Moto X 2013 and more than 12 times on my own device, which makes me to believe that it's generally safe.
Prerequisites
You need your bootloader unlocked.Motorola and their bootloader does NOT support downgrading and it will spit errors in fastboot.
WHEN YOU UNLOCK YOUR BOOTLOADER ALL YOUR PERSONAL DATA ON YOUR DEVICE WILL BE LOST.MAKE SURE YOU BACKUP YOUR FILES AND THEN PROCEED.
You can find how to unlock your bootloader HERE or just use the search here in the forums, plenty of info on that matter.
If you cannot or don't want to unlock your bootloader, then you CANNOT downgrade.
Files Needed
For this tutorial we`ll do downgrade from 5.1 to 4.4.4.This is the safest downgrade and it will be successful if you follow all the steps w/o any skipping.
The Android image used is for XT1052, but if you got different model, you can find the image for your own model and use that instead.
1.First you need a signed image of Android 4.4.4 for Moto X 2013.You can find one Filefactory or RetailEU here <=> RetailGB here <=> RetailDE here
If you want to download the image faster, use the Yandex-hosted images, FileFactory is slow.
2.Motorola Device Drivers: You can find them Here
3.Motorola Fastboot and generic adb/fastboot tools package: You can find it attached to this post or click Here
Flashing your device
0.Charge your device's battery to at least 35%.
1.Extract the archive with the signed images somewhere (in this case I`ll use C:\temp , but you can use any drive or directory if you so desire).
2.Extract the android-tools archive in the same directory.You should have boot.img, recovery.img, system.img and mfastboot in same directory.
3.Reboot your device in bootloader (Power your device off -> Hold Volume Down and Press Power button -> then release).
!!THIS WILL DELETE YOUR USER FILES EVEN IF YOU HAVE YOUR BOOTLOADER ALREADY UNLOCKED!!!
4.Open a command prompt and navigate to C:\temp and execute the following commands:
Code:
mfastboot erase cache
mfastboot erase userdata
mfastboot flash boot boot.img
mfastboot flash recovery recovery.img
mfastboot flash system system.img
mfastboot erase userdata
mfastboot reboot
DO NOT skip erasing the userdata, doing so , you'll most likely end up with soft brick.Just don't do it.
Result
Congratz, now you have successfully downgraded your device to Android 4.4.4
The device will take some time the first boot to create dalvik cache and some other stuff, but it should not take more than 5 minutes.
When your device boots, it will ask you at some point to downgrade the motorola services bla bla, agree to that, your device will reboot and it will tell you that the downgrade was successful.I did this more than 10 times, seems to be totally safe.
Any feedback will be appreciated, you may ask questions, but don't expect me to answer to every single one.
If I missed something, I'll add up/fix as soon as I can.
FAQ
What if I want to downgrade to Android 4.4.2 / 4.3 / 4.2.2 ?
This is possible, the procedure is the same as listed above.You just have to know that if you do such downgrade, you should never update via OTA update, at any cost.This will corrupt the bootloader of your device and you won't be able to restore it.If you downgrade to anything below 4.4.4 and you want at some point to upgrade, you should do it ONLY by official signed image and NOT OTA.
You've been warned.
I can't find the exact same firmware that my device runs, eg. AsiaRetail.Is it possible to use firmware image from a different region/operator?
While it's recommended to use your exact firmware image, it is not necessary. You can use an image from other region, but you should follow some simple rule. Try to stick to the same phone model, eg XT1052 firmware.
I updated via OTA but I've recently rooted and installed a custom rom. Is it necessary to go back to stock 5.1 to downgrade?
No need, as long as your custom rom/kernel didn't mess with the fs of the partitions.
Why is this flashing procedure cut down, omg there are other commands that I've read in other guides and they say that I must flash modem, fsg, delete some magical modem states, why you didn't include these?!?
While it is true that other guides suggest you flash modem, fsg and some other things, these are mainly driven from the Motorola's own procedure xml file, flashing these is not necessary at all, this is used to repair eventual errors in these parts, but usually there is no problem there at all.
Another thing is that these parts are cross-compatible and leaving them as they are is perfectly fine.
How do I go back to 5.1 stock?
1.Do NOT update by OTA, just to be on the safe side.
2. Use the same procedure as described, but with image of 5.1 instead.
How do I disable the OTA notifications?
1. If you're rooted, then just delete or revoke permissions of /system/priv-app/3c_ota.apk
2. If you're not rooted, then don't install the Motorola Update Services from the Play Store. If you already updated them, then just uninstall the update and that's all.
I'm getting "Not enough space" errors, when I try to flash the system.img.I'm using mfastboot, but still the same problem?!?
Use this and it will work:
mfastboot flash system system.img -P
What if I have a custom recovery? Sorry I'm new to this stuff. Which mode do you enter before entering the commands in cmd prompt?
legend.in.boxers said:
What if I have a custom recovery? Sorry I'm new to this stuff. Which mode do you enter before entering the commands in cmd prompt?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having custom recovery doesn't affect anything. This process will flash the stock recovery.
You don't need to enter any mode in the list, just leave the phone in the bootloader menu.
Hello.
I just might use this method to downlograde from 5.1 to 4.4.4...
I have the always mobile radio active bug while being connected to wifi, so my stand by time with wifi is just awful.
Thanks.
SanD-82 said:
Hello.
I just might use this method to downlograde from 5.1 to 4.4.4...
I have the always mobile radio active bug while being connected to wifi, so my stand by time with wifi is just awful.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue, wifi would never go sleep. RAM management is horrific and the YouTube app was causing some troubles with the sound module, at some point the sound was totally not working.
liveroy said:
I had the same issue, wifi would never go sleep. RAM management is horrific and the YouTube app was causing some troubles with the sound module, at some point the sound was totally not working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have a problem with the optimising apps bug every time I reboot. Going to downgrade today. Hopefully everything will go well
liveroy said:
I had the same issue, wifi would never go sleep. RAM management is horrific and the YouTube app was causing some troubles with the sound module, at some point the sound was totally not working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, that's not what's happening to me... Wifi is active only when connected to a network...
Now, what you are saying is that your wifi is always on?
Did you check in the advanced wifi properties the status of the 'always on' setting?... Because if you configured the location settings to use WiFi, then WiFi will be always on, even when you manually turn it off...
So, make sure you do not have that turned on...
Enviado desde mi XT1058
SanD-82 said:
Actually, that's not what's happening to me... Wifi is active only when connected to a network...
Now, what you are saying is that your wifi is always on?
Did you check in the advanced wifi properties the status of the 'always on' setting?... Because if you configured the location settings to use WiFi, then WiFi will be always on, even when you manually turn it off...
So, make sure you do not have that turned on...
Enviado desde mi XT1058
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the case either, it was set to never keep it on during sleep and scaning always available was not allowed.The wifi just wont go off durring sleep and that's it.Tried all possible settings to no avail.Actually wifi was the 2nd highest battery consumer in the stats after the screen.This problem does not exist in 4.4.4.
I see...
It's actually hard to see how in 2015, Android keeps having these deal breaker issues...
I somehow feel that the best version of my xt1058 was when it was at 4.2.2... After the subsequent updates, bugs started to appear, and on 5.1 i got the first big issue...
Sent from my XT1058
Works!
Successfully downgraded. Thank you so much!
What would i have to be aware of in the future if i do this?
Of course, no OTA install for 5.1...
Before making any 'stock upgrade' or something **** that, i would have to flash the 5.1 full firm right?
Sent from my XT1058
SanD-82 said:
What would i have to be aware of in the future if i do this?
Of course, no OTA install for 5.1...
Before making any 'stock upgrade' or something **** that, i would have to flash the 5.1 full firm right?
Sent from my XT1058
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically if you are on 4.4.4, shouldn't be any problem to update back to 5.1 even via OTA.But since the images for 5.1 are available, I wouldn't suggest OTA update anyway.
For future updates, when Android M is out for example, just update to 5.1 using fastboot, then update through the OTA.
Other than that, there are no other potential problems that might arise, at least nothing that I can think of.
IS Android 4.4.2 or 4.2.2 files avalable for indian moto x (xt1052 asian retail)
liveroy said:
Basically if you are on 4.4.4, shouldn't be any problem to update back to 5.1 even via OTA.But since the images for 5.1 are available, I wouldn't suggest OTA update anyway.
For future updates, when Android M is out for example, just update to 5.1 using fastboot, then update through the OTA.
Other than that, there are no other potential problems that might arise, at least nothing that I can think of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHere can i find those files??
visheshjotshi said:
WHere can i find those files??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the first post, the File Factory link, you can find tons of images there, the moto x 2013 is codenamed Ghost, if there is no model listed.
Good Luck.
Cant find files
File factory doesnt have files for asian retail other than android 4.4.4 file can i find it any where else?????
How many people frm india have sucessfully downgraded thier phones??
visheshjotshi said:
File factory doesnt have files for asian retail other than android 4.4.4 file can i find it any where else?????
How many people frm india have sucessfully downgraded thier phones??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try searching 4pda.
Also, you don't need exactly your original firmware to begin with, it's recommended, but not necessary.
Thank you for this information. I dont have the wifi bug. But i have the mobile data bug. (Even turning it off it still continues to sap battery)
Sent from my XT1052 using XDA Free mobile app
I was looking for a post like this becouse my WiFi doesn't work on XT1058 5.1... i thought was a Lollipop related issue so wanted to downgrade to 4.4.4 and see if the problem really was related to android version, but it isn't. I downgraded successfully from 5.1 to 4.4.4 with your tutorial, but the WiFi problem persist. Now i know i'm really screwed up becouse i tried i believe everything possible... airplane mode, factory reset, cache wipe, full wipe, custom rom, custom kernel, android 5.1, android 4.4.4, different AP's and routers, delete supplicant conf... So i don't know what to do. Te specific problem is that WiFi can see available networks, but randomly some of them disappear and others show up, and when i try to connect por ex to my home network, it says "connecting" and then "saved", with all networks happens the same. Does anyone has a clue? BTW, thanks for your post!
Download the archive from this link https://app.box.com/s/idnxxhunecvtxf1mbqve0bpooyogvxng
unzip it on your device and copy the files to /persist.You need root to do that. Set the permissions to rw-r-r--- and rw-rw---- for the .bt_nv.bin
Reboot and see if something changes.
I just realized I posted in the wrong phone section. Can someone move this over to the G2? Sorry
Hi all, after updating my lollipop moto g2 today, 3/3/2016 my moto G2 has been stuck on the no command screen (dead android with red exclamation mark). This update was all stock, the bootloader was not unlocked and everything was untouched. I tried going to recovery, clearing and wiping cache and even factory reset and everything in the recovery option but still end up with the no command screen and constant rebooting.
I called Motorola and they told me that I have to send in my phone for "repair" and the update clearly bricked my phone and I'd have to pay for the repair which I don't think is fair
Is there anyone with a fix?
Thanks
I think they should recall this update until they can get it fixed and usable! This is beyond a joke
@Gary +1 Really, what a disaster. Does not inspire confidence in the entire Android enterprise/ecosystem.
bro if you are able to boot the phone into the bootloader mode then you can easily fix it
by flashing stock 6.0 firmware on your device take a look
How To Flash 6.0 Official Marshmallow On Motorola Moto G2:-https://youtu.be/dWMsgX1emN4
mandar91 said:
bro if you are able to boot the phone into the bootloader mode then you can easily fix it
by flashing stock 6.0 firmware on your device take a look
How To Flash 6.0 Official Marshmallow On Motorola Moto G2:-https://youtu.be/dWMsgX1emN4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, I will give it a try
Guys I need help please. So I have a moto g2014 ( XT1068 ) (non gplay version) and I tried installing a Custom ROM (I don't quite remember the name of the ROM). My phone was rooted and I had TWRP recovery. But when I tried to install the ROM I first click on "wipe system" so my stock ROM was no logern existing. When I flashed the Custom ROM everything was allright but there was a signal bug that when I hit "ok" it appears again, fed up with that I decided to wipe that ROM from my phone but I forgot that I have no backup of my stock ROM. Tried installikg KK (the phone came with that SO but I updated to Lollipop as soon as I could) and then the TWRP stopped working (and it seems to have dissapeared becausd I get the "recovery fail" at the bootloader screen when trying to enter recovery mode). Now I'm stuck in the Moto loading screen and nothing else happens. Help guys, please!!! (bootloader is ulocked btw) ???
---------- Post added at 07:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 PM ----------
mandar91 said:
bro if you are able to boot the phone into the bootloader mode then you can easily fix it
by flashing stock 6.0 firmware on your device take a look
How To Flash 6.0 Official Marshmallow On Motorola Moto G2:-https://youtu.be/dWMsgX1emN4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try to do this, I hope it works because since I wiped the stock S.O nothing works on my moto ???
Hi all,
Let me start off by saying hello. I just joined these forums, and sadly I already have to bother you with an issue. Hopefully you can help me.
Recently, I decided to unlock the bootloader of my Moto G 2014 and install CM12.1. Sadly, Cyanogenmod stopped working after I installed Google Apps (from OpenGApps).
I then installed stock Marshmallow, using this tutorial. It got stuck on the boot animation.
Finally, I installed the stock Lollipop 5.0.2 firmware (the version I came from). It works now, but everytime I power the device up, it boots straight into TWRP. I can boot it normally using the bootloader, though. Also, when I try to lock the bootloader again, it won't boot at all (probably because I have TWRP on it).
This isn't an issue for me, but I upgraded to a Nexus 5X yesterday, and I'm giving my Moto G to my little sister, who is currently using a Nokia Lumia 635. I want the device to function as it should before I give it to her. Therefore, I'd like to do a complete wipe of my phone, and install the stock firmware, just like it was before I unlocked the bootloader. I could use some help with it.
My main concern is the fact that it boots into TWRP. Is there any way to fix this? Can I install the normal recovery mode again?
As for the firmware I was using, it was Android 5.0.2:
System version: 22.21.28.titan_retaildsds.retaildsdsall.en.03
Kernel version: 3.4.42-g48d3b85
Build number: LXB22.46-28
I can provide additional info, as I do have the stock ROM installed atm.
Thanks in advance!
P.S. I do also have SuperSU installed on the phone, but it says there is 'no SU binary installed'. It seems something went wrong there as well. Not too bothered by it, as I don't want it rooted, but I figured it was worth mentioning.
Hi guys, I have a OP3 which is running on 3.1.2 Marshmallow.
I always get a notification for system update to 4.5.1. I've tried downloading and installing the update but after the first boot my OP crashes/gets bricked. There is only a Linux penguin logo that appears no matter what button you press.
From there I always have to follow the mega unbrick guide and get my phone back to working with stock recovery and 3.1.2.
I've tried side loading the downloaded file as well.
Then I've tried installing .zip file of 5.0.1 via TWRP, still no luck. it still bricks my phone.
Am comfortable rooting my phone, my bootloader is unlocked. I don't care too much about keeping root after updating my phone to the latest version, I would be grateful to anyone who can point me towards the proper full ROM files of 5.0.1 along with any firmware files that may be required.
And the exact process of when to flash the firmware and with/without which version of TWRP. I am ready to completely wipe and clear data.
in simple words I just want to update from 3.1.2 to 5.0.1. The simple downloading and updateing from the OTA update doesn't work.
AbhiM7 said:
Hi guys, I have a OP3 which is running on 3.1.2 Marshmallow.
I always get a notification for system update to 4.5.1. I've tried downloading and installing the update but after the first boot my OP crashes/gets bricked. There is only a Linux penguin logo that appears no matter what button you press.
From there I always have to follow the mega unbrick guide and get my phone back to working with stock recovery and 3.1.2.
I've tried side loading the downloaded file as well.
Then I've tried installing .zip file of 5.0.1 via TWRP, still no luck. it still bricks my phone.
Am comfortable rooting my phone, my bootloader is unlocked. I don't care too much about keeping root after updating my phone to the latest version, I would be grateful to anyone who can point me towards the proper full ROM files of 5.0.1 along with any firmware files that may be required.
And the exact process of when to flash the firmware and with/without which version of TWRP. I am ready to completely wipe and clear data.
in simple words I just want to update from 3.1.2 to 5.0.1. The simple downloading and updateing from the OTA update doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this: https://downloads.oneplus.com/oneplus-3/oneplus_3_oxygenos_5.0.1/
hellcat50 said:
Try this: https://downloads.oneplus.com/oneplus-3/oneplus_3_oxygenos_5.0.1/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I've already downloaded this very stable file and tried flashing using TWRP
AbhiM7 said:
Hi, I've already downloaded this very stable file and tried flashing using TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read something about wrong batteries causing this problem. Do you use the original battery?
hellcat50 said:
I read something about wrong batteries causing this problem. Do you use the original battery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I though of running a diagnosis check by dialing *#808# and looked up Charger option, it shows the battery as "itech_3000mah"
is that original?
I had given the phone to repair for water damage to a professional service chain (Not OnePlus, some company here called Yaantra). I've heard from talking to an official repair person of OnePlus that fake batteries are not possible for OnePlus.
The battery works absolutely alright, charges up nicely and I get decent SOT. Can't complain at all.
So I have a Moto E5 Plus (hannah) XT1924-8
and I'm in a jam.
I'm new to moto phones I just moved over to this phone 4 days ago from my HTC M9 yeah I have been a HTC guy for a long time.
My stock rom is fubar, when it boots up I get that encrypt storage thing & reset phone etc.... (no password box) but reset phone is not fixing it.
The boot loader is unlocked
& my twrp is on twrp-3.2.3-0-hannah.img got it from twrp.me
So my problem is that I want to re-flash my stock rom but "Lenovo Moto Smart Assistant" witch did worked 4 times this week but now does not want to work anymore.
It comes back at me with "this device is not supported" & that is not true.
So Now I can't get back to stock & I have not been able to get any custom rom to work me as well.
So my ?s to all of you:
Is there some kind of fix for the "Lenovo Moto Smart Assistant"?
and if not then where do I get a copy of the stock rom & some info on how I should go about installing it
and yes I have the newest adb all installed & I think I have the right driver installed "Motorola_Mobile_Drivers_64bit_v6.4.0.msi" Motorola ADB Interface 7/7/2013 v2.0.2.0
Any help will be much appreciated
Also is the phone default encryption getting in the way of me installing Lineage 15.1 or Bootleggers ??
When ever I try to installing a custom rom I get the dreaded 'To Start Android, Enter Password'
also in twrp /data does not mount when ever I booted into twrp, I had to change the format from ext4 to exfat & then change it back to ext4, from that point on it mounts no problem.
My HTC m9 phone did not have encryption on so I'm not use to working around it.
Well I'm going to return this thing & stay with my HTC m9 with only a 10% working battery.
It seems that no one is going to help me.??
there might be reasons why people wouldn't respond
1. this board isn't active like you'd expect it to be
2. there's already threads out there to save yourself from this
anyway, on twrp, you'd need to FORMAT data to have it de-encrypted... and you'd need to flash a certain boot image that prevents it from auto-encrypting, which is in one of the threads. you'd also never would want to use the smart assistant, because as you can see, it won't work. i don't know if there's a stock rom for your variant, so i can't really link you to yours, but getting it from the moto assistant isn't ideal, it's better to get it from here on the forums or something.
so, in order to install a custom rom, flash the boot.img that doesn't have encrypt, and then flash the gsi system image, and then flash magisk in twrp.
There should already be a thread with the xt1924-8 stock firmware in here somewhere just gotta search. If not I'd suggest trying to re-flash the stock recovery and boot images if you have those and then just try to do a recovery from within.
well I already returned it.
I did read many many many guides on here & on other websites before asking for help.
most of them did not say anything about the book.img to turn off the auto-encrypting.
again I never had to work around auto-encrypt before.
Also @wihzard
I did look for a stock rom for (hannah) XT1924-8 but did not find it.
anyways I returned it & now I'm looking for a unused M9 to replace my old one,
I will end up putting LineageOS 16.0 on it.
Thanks for replying
my moto e5 plus is bricked im pretty sure ...any help anyone?
E-TARD_The_LifeCaster said:
well I already returned it.
I did read many many many guides on here & on other websites before asking for help.
most of them did not say anything about the book.img to turn off the auto-encrypting.
again I never had to work around auto-encrypt before.
Also @wihzard
I did look for a stock rom for (hannah) XT1924-8 but did not find it.
anyways I returned it & now I'm looking for a unused M9 to replace my old one,
I will end up putting LineageOS 16.0 on it.
Thanks for replying
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
………………………………………….
I need help as well haven't had much time to get on here and try to get help. I have the XT1924-7 varriant. I had discovered a hidden network that was placed on there by an ex to track me. So I factory reset I had AEX pie installed on it. Come to find out factory reset didn't even get ride of had to follow some extra steps to erase partitions that weren't wiped during the reset with TWRP. So my problem is once booted and going through setup process these pop up start popping up(screen shots below)the first is the modem keeps stopping. I get that about 25 times of hitting ok then I get one last one stating internal error need to factory reset. IVE DONE THAT COMPLETELY DELETED IT ALL RESTORED ALL. I've flashed NON-HLOS alone withe the erase modem 1&2. And still I've done diffent methods of trying to restore and get nowhere. Any help would be appreciated