Database Develop

Some Questions

Ok so i have been playing with my Moto X for some time now and i have learned a lot about it but as i have been going threw the Q&A and general sections helping out i have read a lot of mixed information
1. unlocking the boot loader.
i have been to Motorola's website and checked for all devices and they give you a complete walk-threw on how to unlock your bootloader for all devices. but i have read in some threads that you can't do it on all devices. so i guess my question is. Is it tru that some carrier devices do not allow you to unlock the bootloader and if so what carries dont allow and what one's do allow.
2. my Sprint Moto X has had a unlocked bootloader from day one. so people who do not have there bootloader unlocked are they still able to use the 4.4 slapmymoto root process.
i am sorry for the questions but i need straight answers because i would like to help anyone who has issues but i don't want to give wrong info and after reading some many post i feel i might have made some mistakes in some of my attempts to help people

It is my understanding that AT&T and Verizon devices cannot unlock the bootloader through the Motorola website.
I have a Verizon Moto X (MotoMaker edition). The bootloader is locked. I used SlapMyMoto 0.5c to gain root on 4.4.

developer edition models for verizon and att/gsm can unlock bootloaders. if it is a dev edition and the bootloader is unlocked you also void your warranty. locked BLs can still be rooted with slapmymoto. that is the only purpose of slapmymoto. if you have an unlocked BL then you would just flash twrp then the superSU.zip (or other SU app of your choice) and have root in minutes.

jayboyyyy said:
if it is a dev edition and the bootloader is unlocked you also void your warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do believe Motorola changed their policies concerning developer editions. Unlocking the boot loader no longer voids warranty on those devices
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

frenchie007 said:
I do believe Motorola changed their policies concerning developer editions. Unlocking the boot loader no longer voids warranty on those devices
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya my bad. i meant isn't. glad you corrected it though because that could have been confusing for someone.

1. Yes. Retail VZW and ATT moto Xs will, most likely, never have their bootloaders unlocked. Those are the only 2 variants whose bootloaders can't be unlocked. Only Dev edition retain warranty after a bootloader unlock. Simply requesting an unlock code voids your warranty.
2. Yes but you'd be wasting your time. Download your choice of recovery (TWRP or CWMR) and root app (SuperSU or Superuser), flash the recovery, reboot into recovery, flash whateveryourrootappis.zip, reboot system, enjoy root.

Rooting for dummies

I need help and that's an understatement. It comes down to this... I'm super confused as what I need to do to flashing a custom recovery and ROM. I'm on a Sprint Moto X running 4.4.
Someone just tell me what to do if you can. This downgrading and what not is confusing me when I see people saying not to worry about it.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

Since the downgrading and what not is confusing you, I'm not sure what you know and what you don't so let me start at the beginning...
When you purchase the Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and other carrier editions, they come with their bootloaders locked. You can only flash/install roms and parts of ROMs which are signed by Motorola. This means you have to use some tricks and exploits to root your phone and disable the phone's Write Protection. This is why you see the SlapMyMoto, and MotoWPNoMo, and the like. These processes involve downgrading the rom on your phone so you can take advantage of "flaws" which are present in the older rom and exploited to gain root and disable write protection.
With ROM updates, Motorola can/will close the holes and flaws, meaning new exploits are needed to gain root and such. With 4.4.2, Moto closed the loop hole that allowed downgrading the ROM version on your phone, so you can't use the older tricks to gain root and disable write protection. So if you have 4.4.2 on your X, you are stuck.
If you purchased a developer edition, you can unlock your bootloader, and do so without voiding your phone's warranty. This allows you to flash things/roms/parts that are not signed by Motorola. You can flash a custom recovery for example. Unlocking the bootloader also disables the Write Protection. So you can easily root by flashing a custom recovery, booting to it, and installing SuperSU to root. And you can even flash a custom rom if you want, and if there is one available for your X. This works no matter what ROM version you flash. (this still works for 4.4.2)
Thankfully, some carriers allow you to unlock your Non-Developer Edition X's bootloader. Sprint and T-Mobile allow this. However some, like Verizon and ATT do not. Motorola has a web site setup where you can request the unlock code for your phone. However if your carrier allows this, and you have a Non-Developer edition phone, your warranty is voided when you Accept the terms and REQUEST the code. BUT this does give you the exact same flexibilty to root and disable write protection as a Developer Edition does, just with a voided warranty.
So when you read these threads, there will be info for LOCKED Bootloader and UNLOCKED bootloader.
Ok, that being said.. Since you have a Sprint X, if you are ok voiding your warranty, the best thing to do is get the unlock code from Moto's web site, unlock your bootloader, and use the Root Process for developer edition Moto X. (there is a thread for it) If you already have 4.4.2 on your phone, this is the only way to root and disable write protection.
If you do not want to void your warranty & unlock your bootloader, then you have no choice but to follow the SlapMyMoto thread to root. it does involve downgrading your rom,etc. BUT do not even think about taking the 4.4.2 update if you want to keep root and write protection disabled. And this doesn't work if you already have 4.4.2 on your phone.

Jon.StatiK said:
I need help and that's an understatement. It comes down to this... I'm super confused as what I need to do to flashing a custom recovery and ROM. I'm on a Sprint Moto X running 4.4.
Someone just tell me what to do if you can. This downgrading and what not is confusing me when I see people saying not to worry about it.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Sprint model has an unlockable bootloader so you wont need to follow the SpapMyMoto steps. That's only for those with a locked bootloader (although you could do it if you really wanted to).
I unlocked my US Cellular Moto X which is pretty much the exact same thing but without the same model number. So this is what I did:
Unlock the boatloader through the Motorola unlock program. This voids your warranty though.
Flash twrp
Flash supersu
And now your rooted!
Now that you've flashed a custom recovery, the only thing left to do on your list is flash the rom you want.
NOTE: This will only work of you have an unlockable boatloader in which case - you do. If you are able to request an unlock code through the program then just follow those steps and you'll be sweet. Just make sure you copy the code into a word document then remove the spaces first. I made the error of leaving the spaces in there and wondered why I couldn't request a code. Also the request button is at the very bottom of the page so just scroll to the bottom to find it once you input the code. A message will pop up if you forgot to remove the spaces.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

If I unlock the bootloader and go that route I'm open to flash any ROM I want right?
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

Right. Thanks for the help!
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

KidJoe said:
Since the downgrading and what not is confusing you, I'm not sure what you know and what you don't so let me start at the beginning...
When you purchase the Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and other carrier editions, they come with their bootloaders locked. You can only flash/install roms and parts of ROMs which are signed by Motorola. This means you have to use some tricks and exploits to root your phone and disable the phone's Write Protection. This is why you see the SlapMyMoto, and MotoWPNoMo, and the like. These processes involve downgrading the rom on your phone so you can take advantage of "flaws" which are present in the older rom and exploited to gain root and disable write protection.
With ROM updates, Motorola can/will close the holes and flaws, meaning new exploits are needed to gain root and such. With 4.4.2, Moto closed the loop hole that allowed downgrading the ROM version on your phone, so you can't use the older tricks to gain root and disable write protection. So if you have 4.4.2 on your X, you are stuck.
If you purchased a developer edition, you can unlock your bootloader, and do so without voiding your phone's warranty. This allows you to flash things/roms/parts that are not signed by Motorola. You can flash a custom recovery for example. Unlocking the bootloader also disables the Write Protection. So you can easily root by flashing a custom recovery, booting to it, and installing SuperSU to root. And you can even flash a custom rom if you want, and if there is one available for your X. This works no matter what ROM version you flash. (this still works for 4.4.2)
Thankfully, some carriers allow you to unlock your Non-Developer Edition X's bootloader. Sprint and T-Mobile allow this. However some, like Verizon and ATT do not. Motorola has a web site setup where you can request the unlock code for your phone. However if your carrier allows this, and you have a Non-Developer edition phone, your warranty is voided when you Accept the terms and REQUEST the code. BUT this does give you the exact same flexibilty to root and disable write protection as a Developer Edition does, just with a voided warranty.
So when you read these threads, there will be info for LOCKED Bootloader and UNLOCKED bootloader.
Ok, that being said.. Since you have a Sprint X, if you are ok voiding your warranty, the best thing to do is get the unlock code from Moto's web site, unlock your bootloader, and use the Root Process for developer edition Moto X. (there is a thread for it) If you already have 4.4.2 on your phone, this is the only way to root and disable write protection.
If you do not want to void your warranty & unlock your bootloader, then you have no choice but to follow the SlapMyMoto thread to root. it does involve downgrading your rom,etc. BUT do not even think about taking the 4.4.2 update if you want to keep root and write protection disabled. And this doesn't work if you already have 4.4.2 on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gotta say @kid Joe this is an awesome explanation. I'm on the fence about voiding my warranty never have I seen such a detailed explanation without any animosity or being rude. I love Xda.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk

r_diaz13 said:
I gotta say @kid Joe this is an awesome explanation. I'm on the fence about voiding my warranty never have I seen such a detailed explanation without any animosity or being rude. I love Xda.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree completely. I was about to comment the same. Great response.

[Q] Help, Just Bought a Moto X and I'm very confused with rooting/bootloader

I just bought a Moto X XT1058 and it came with Android 4.4.2 installed.
I want to install this kernel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/orig-development/kernel-001-kk44-gsm3-4-hybrid-oc-t2645356
and be able to use it's overclock function...
Can someone say to me what I need to do to be able to do that ? (Everything with this phone is a little bit confusing like rooting, bootloader and stuff)
Also, I need to know if what everyone refer to as OTAs are the software updates that my own device suggest and if I still can update my phone like that with that kernel.

Since you already have 4.4.2 on your phone, I'll discuss your options with 4.4.2. The past exploits used to root and disable write protection have been patched in 4.4.2, so you can't use processes like SlapMyMoto/MotoWpNoMo.
You mention wanting to run a custom kernel, I believe that requires an unlocked bootloader.
For the Developer Editions Moto X, and some carrier editions (Like T-Mobile, Sprint and others), Motorola freely gives away the BootLoader Unlock codes when requested On Motorola's Web Site. In the case of the Non-Developer Editions, it voids their warranty to request the code.
If you are unable to get an unlock code from there, you're only other option was the "Chinese Website/Middleman" option which is down/not working again.
So check Moto's site first, if you can get the bootloader unlock code for your phone, you're good to go, and you can root and disable write protection. NOTE: IF your carrier branded XT1058 is eligible for the unlock code from Moto, it sometimes has taken a few days after you receive your phone before the unlock code is available.
If you can't get your bootloader unlock code from Moto's web site, you are out of luck for now.

Can't unlock Boot loader & can't root motoX xt1053

I have a moto x xt1053 that i can't open the Boot loader on Motorola web page, coz is not allowed for my device as Motorola support said to me, coz is not a dev edition.
I want to install CM11 or later, it is possible without opening the Boot loader?
TIA

What is your current android version? Have you looked at unlocking via sunshine?

Travisdroidx2 said:
What is your current android version? Have you looked at unlocking via sunshine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im on 4.4.4, i tried sunshine, and wrote with the supporter of sunshine and they told me they cant unlock it...

Sucks man sounds like you are screwed.

What carrier was it originally associated with? The XT1053 was used for T-Mobile in the US and was unlockable. I believe XT1053 was also used for the Dev Edition for AT&T in the US, while their retail edition was XT1058.
My friend has an XT1053 for T-Mobile that was not a developer edition, it was customized with Moto Maker and I unlocked it for him from the Motorola website.
Are you sure you have an XT1053?

Thats the same phone like your friend. My friend bought it online on the moto maker home page.
Well my friend tried many times but without success...
Can you give me some advice... @fury683 TIA

iSplassh said:
Thats the same phone like your friend. My friend bought it online on the moto maker home page.
Well my friend tried many times but without success...
Can you give me some advice... @fury683 TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's Tmobile, keep trying the Moto unlock site. It is very glitch send can take many tries. ?

iSplassh said:
I have a moto x xt1053 that i can't open the Boot loader on Motorola web page, coz is not allowed for my device as Motorola support said to me, coz is not a dev edition.
I want to install CM11 or later, it is possible without opening the Boot loader?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The non-Developer Edition XT1053 was also bootloader Unlockable via Moto's web site but it voids the warranty.
If your XT1053 is the "GSM Unlocked (ships with T-Mobile SIM)" or "GSM unlocked (ships with Net 10 SIM)" it should still be bootloader unlockable via Moto's web site.
A few things...
Try a different browser. If you are using Chome, try IE instead, or vice versa.
Take the output from the get_unlock_data command, and paste it into NOTEPAD (if you use windows) on your PC... Turn Word Wrap OFF. Edit out the spaces and any carriage returns so the string is one single line, and then copy the edited string to the clip board to paste into the web site.
If the phone is less than a week old, keep trying. There have been issues/delays with the codes being available on the Moto web site.
Try signing into the Moto site using the original email address used to purchase the phone (i.e. your friend purchased, then have your friend use his/her email to try requesting the code)
Call Moto's support. If they refuse to help, or tell you that you can't unlock your bootloader, point them to -> https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/87215 which says the T-Mobile X (XT1053) CAN be bootloader unlocked (but voids the warranty).
Take a look at this thread in the Peer to Peer Moto Owners forum -> https://forums.motorola.com/posts/f2061da875

Thanks for your time.
I checked the peer to peer forum but my CID is different, its not on the list. Mine is 0x09.
I already contacted 2 different moto customer support, i gave them the IMEI code and they told me its not unlockable, because its not dev edition. The also said the unlockable boot loader program is only for dev edition.
Xda was my last hope because the official way didn't brought me anyway further.
Sorry for my bad english, and hope you guys have still some tips for me

iSplassh said:
Thanks for your time.
I checked the peer to peer forum but my CID is different, its not on the list. Mine is 0x09.
I already contacted 2 different moto customer support, i gave them the IMEI code and they told me its not unlockable, because its not dev edition. The also said the unlockable boot loader program is only for dev edition.
Xda was my last hope because the official way didn't brought me anyway further.
Sorry for my bad english, and hope you guys have still some tips for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
0x0009 is on the list in the Owners forum (0x0009 = 0x09) as being UNLOCKABLE (is in the list on the left). The list on the left says "Your device is unlockable if the CID value returned is" and 0x09 is under that headding.
ANd the reps told you WRONG. Their web site lists Rogers Canada, they use the XT1058. For USA it lists Sprint (which is XT1056), USC (is XT1055 i think), and TMO (is definitely XT1053 but not considered Dev Edition).
There are only TWO Developer Editions... GSM and "for Verizon". Verizon is an XT1060. There is NO Dev Edition for Sprint, USC, Rogers Canada, or Latin America, yet those are listed on -> https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/87215 as being UNLOCKABLE.
Please follow the instructions on the Moto Owners Forum. Do the steps and post the info. See what they say.

Finally we unlocked it. It took us some time chatting with moto supporters till 2AM in the morning but we did it.
Thanks a lot guys

iSplassh said:
Finally we unlocked it. It took us some time chatting with moto supporters till 2AM in the morning but we did it.
Thanks a lot guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. Glad to hear it!

KidJoe said:
Awesome. Glad to hear it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to bother you again but do you have any tips on how to root it now. The phone its on 4.4.4. Can i just use CF-Autoroot or do i have to downgrade to 4.4.2? I have read that downgrading brings to Precam brick...
What do you recomand me?
TIA

1. Download the latest SuperSU.zip onto the phone or computer
2. download a recovery onto a computer
3. Flash the recovery in bootloader using fastboot
4. Boot into recovery using the Vol+ button to select option
5. If SuperSU.zip was downloaded to computer, use adb to push the zip file to /sdcard flash SuperSu.zip. If not, skip to step 6.
6. Flash SuperSU.zip in recovery
7. Reboot into system
Remember what having an unlocked bootloader allows you to do, this process isn't much different from any other device with an unlocked bootloader. Why would you do anything other than the steps I listed above with an unlocked bootloader? Read up on what downgrading can and will do to our phone.

iSplassh said:
Sorry to bother you again but do you have any tips on how to root it now. The phone its on 4.4.4. Can i just use CF-Autoroot or do i have to downgrade to 4.4.2? I have read that downgrading brings to Precam brick...
What do you recomand me?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to keep in mind there are some old threads for those with LOCKED bootloaders who want to root which will not apply to you. Some of those OLDER processes recomend downgrading, BUT that was only safe during the SlapMyMoto process (downgrading from 4.4 to 4.2.2 w/camera due to NOT CHANGE in the bootloader and gpt.bin). Once 4.4.2, 4.4.3 or 4.4.4 is on your phone, DOWNGRADING IS NOT SAFE!!! AND NOT RECOMMENDED!!!! due to the high rate of bricks it has caused.
After unlocking your bootloader, the best way to root is to see -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/mot...-unlocking-t2649738/post54796193#post54796193

Thanks for the info this helped me out!

Getting used VZW Moto-X - want root - What to look for?

Hi All,
I currently have an XT1053 on Lycamobile (T-Mobile MVNO). I rooted it when I got it, have a custom recovery, ROM, xposed framework, XPrivacy, titanium backup. It's been 1.5 years so I'm rusty on how I did it before.
I'd like to move to Verizon pre-paid so I'm looking to buy a used phone. I want to end up with the same capabilities - root, custom ROM, etc.
I'm thinking I should get a Dev edition Verizon Moto-X so that I can get the unlock code from Motorola. In order to reduce chances of issues/bricking, is there are particular version of Android the phone should already have? Anything else I should be looking for?
Thanks,
Mark

From what I have been able to find by looking at a bunch of threads, it looks like I need to look for a Developer phone with Android 4.4.2.
What else am I maybe missing?
Thanks,
Mark

For the Dev Edition it doesn't matter what version you're on, you can root no matter what.

markd89 said:
From what I have been able to find by looking at a bunch of threads, it looks like I need to look for a Developer phone with Android 4.4.2.
What else am I maybe missing?
Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason you would need 4.4.2 for easy unlocking is if you were on a non-developer edition phone and were using Sunshine. Dev editions can be unlocked, flashed, and rooted quite easily. Non-developer editions though, you want to be on an earlier release of Android, although there is a root method for 4.4.4 now, so you may still be able to unlock the bootloader.

markd89 said:
....I'd like to move to Verizon pre-paid so I'm looking to buy a used phone. I want to end up with the same capabilities - root, custom ROM, etc.
I'm thinking I should get a Dev edition Verizon Moto-X so that I can get the unlock code from Motorola. In order to reduce chances of issues/bricking, is there are particular version of Android the phone should already have? Anything else I should be looking for?
Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking the bootloader is needed to run a custom rom, custom recovery, etc. and to ensure the ability to root no matter what ROM is on your phone.
Stick with a Developer Edition XT11060 for Verizon. You can get the bootloader unlock code directly from Motorola, for free.
If you get a RETAIL or Moto Maker variant, so long as the phone was never updated to 4.4.4 or higher, you can use Sunshine to unlock its bootloader. BUT Sunshine relies on exploiting a vulnerability to unlock the bootloader. There has been some question on if the vulnerability will be patched in Lollipop and could that pose any issues for those who used Sunshine to unlock. Will it re-lock them or will the unlocked status survive, etc? I have not seen a definitive answer.
While there is a ROOT method for a certain 4.4.4 build for non-Dev Verizon XT1060, that wont allow you to flash a custom rom or recovery, and it doesn't turn off write protection so there are some limits.

Thanks Gents, very helpful.
Is there any downside to getting a Moto X Developer that is already rooted? I'd still be able to contact Motorola for the unlock if I needed it again, right?
Thanks,
Mark

Thanks for bringing this up OP. I have a Verizon Note 4 and quite frankly I'm tired of the size and it's the longest I've been without root. Not to mention the lag with the TouchWiz lollipop build is driving me crazy. I now want a smaller (sorry Nexus 6) bootloader unlocked rootable android phone. After getting a pre-paid moto g to play around with I'm digging the smaller size and the resolution is more than acceptable. The Moto G should be even better.
I initially looked at the 2014 X but Verizon never released a developer model. My only hesitation to the 2013 is Android M. Is that coming to the 2013 X? And do people here have experience buying refurbished 2013 developer Xs from ebay. Pretty cheap around $110 to $150.

markd89 said:
Is there any downside to getting a Moto X Developer that is already rooted? I'd still be able to contact Motorola for the unlock if I needed it again, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To clarify - if I get phone that's already unlocked because the previous owner got the code from Motorola, would I be able to contact Motorola in the future for the unlock code if I needed to re-unlock the phone or do they only give that out once?
Thanks much,
Mark

markd89 said:
To clarify - if I get phone that's already unlocked because the previous owner got the code from Motorola, would I be able to contact Motorola in the future for the unlock code if I needed to re-unlock the phone or do they only give that out once?
Thanks much,
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Developer editions come SIM Unlocked to begin with.

Saythis said:
Developer editions come SIM Unlocked to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I was under the impression that they come bootloader locked so that I would need an unlock to achieve root. Am I mistaken?

markd89 said:
To clarify - if I get phone that's already unlocked because the previous owner got the code from Motorola, would I be able to contact Motorola in the future for the unlock code if I needed to re-unlock the phone or do they only give that out once?
Thanks much,
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
markd89 said:
OK, I was under the impression that they come bootloader locked so that I would need an unlock to achieve root. Am I mistaken?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People often get SIM unlocked (aka carrier unlocked) confused with bootloader unlocked when someone just says "unlocked"
The Verizon XT1060, Developer Edition or Retail/Moto Maker are SIM Unlocked (aka carrier unlocked) out of the box due to FCC 700 C-Block rules.
All 2013 X's ship as bootloader locked. The ATT XT1058, Republic Wireless XT1049 and Verizon Retail/Moto Maker XT1060 editions can not get the bootloader unlock code from Moto. The rest, including the Developer Edition XT1060 for Verizon, CAN.
Once bootloader unlocked using the code from Moto, the phone will stay that way unless you re-lock it. However, keep in mind there are 3 states of the 2013 X bootloader Locked Status 0 (as it ships from factory), Unlocked Status 3 (after you unlock via the code), and LOCKED Status 2 (aka relocked). We as users can not toggle it back to Status 0. Because we can't get back to Status 0, there is no real reason to try and relock. The "bootloader unlocked" warning message shows when status is NOT 0. *IF* you buy a used XT1060 Dev Edition where the previous owner as re-locked the bootloader, you will need the code to unlock it. The codes are unique to each phone.
I have no experience requesting the bootloader unlock code from moto for a USED phone, so I can't be of any help answering that question.

I purchased a used xt1060 dev that the previous owner had relocked the bootloader....not sure why. I was able to get a unlock code from Motorola no problem.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

Thanks, all!
I have my used Dev Moto X Verizon on order and look forward to the XDA fun when I get it