Wednesday 11 December 2013

Moto G - bootloader unlocking

Here I present official method to unlock the bootloader. It will allow you to install unsigned images onto Motorola like recoveries, kernels and possibly softwares and radios in the future.

However, requesting an unlock code will void your guaranty so you do it on your own risk! It's recommended to do backup before the unlock because it may wipe your data!



Preparations:
1. As always: Install Motorola Moto G Drivers:

2. Install Android SDK

3. Get fastboot and place it in folder where you installed Android SDK. You don't have to do it if there's fastboot.exe already!

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Get the bootloader unlock data

1. Turn on the phone in fastboot
a) Turn the phone off
b) When holding volume rocker down (Vol-) press power button

2. Open the folder where are placed Fastboot and Android SDK files and launch Command Prompt by holding shift and right clicking in free space. From the contect menu choose "Open Command Window Here". 

The other way is to open Command Prompt is holding windows logo on keyboard + R. Type cmd and hit enter. Then navigate to recovery's folder.

3. In Command Prompt type:
$ fastboot oem get_unlock_data

4. Here are example results for Windows
a) Windows:
$ fastboot oem get_unlock_data
 (bootloader) 0A40040192024205#4C4D3556313230
 (bootloader) 30373731363031303332323239#BD00
 (bootloader) 8A672BA4746C2CE02328A2AC0C39F95
 (bootloader) 1A3E5#1F53280002000000000000000
 (bootloader) 0000000
b) Mac:
INFO0A40040192024205#4C4D3556313230
 INFO30373731363031303332323239#BD00
 INFO8A672BA4746C2CE02328A2AC0C39F95
 INFO1A3E5#1F53280002000000000000000
 INFO0000000

4. Now open the notepad and merge all five lines into one string without the words "(bootloader)" or "INFO".
Here is the result for the example:
0A40040192024205#4C4D355631323030373731363031303332323239#BD008A672BA4746C2CE02328A2AC0C39F951A3E5#1F532800020000000000000000000000
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Getting the unlock key:
1. Sign in on this Motorola site:
https://accounts.motorola.com/ssoauth/login?locale=us_en&appid=ZI2FIY5LS7R8EE1WJBZ6MUBHXUF517H7&TARGET=https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/cc/cas/sso/redirect/standalone%2Fbootloader%2Funlock-your-device-b
2. In point six, type the merged bootloader unlock data and press "Can my device be unlocked?"
3. You loose guaranty after doing this point!
If your device is unlockable press "REQUEST UNLOCK KEY"
4. After you receive the key, go back to the Command Prompt and type (dont forget about adding your unlock code)
$ fastboot oem unlock <paste_your_code_here>
5. DONE! Now you can install unsigned images!

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FAQ
Q: How to lock the bootloader?
A: After you turn on the fastboot in Command Promt type:
$ fastboot oem lock
(you will not get back guaranty)

Q: How to remove  'Unlocked Bootloader' warning
A: Follow this tutorial: How to remove the 'Unlocked Bootloader' warning

12 comments:

  1. Will I lose my data when I do this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Will, you will lose data :) So I recommend to do backup - you can use Titanium Backup from the Market.

      Delete
    2. But we need to unlock bootloader to get root, so we can't backup app data? Or is there another way

      Delete
  2. You are right! I forgot about it because I always have root. Anyway, Helium - App Sync and Backup should work without root.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Note: Helium is NOT available to Motorola devices. This is because Motorola phones have a bug that break Android's backup mechanism. Until this is fixed by Motorola, Helium will not work on those Androids
      Thats on the Google Play page of the app

      Delete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Try other languages of the Motorola site (it really works)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i am india user
      i tried bootloader unlock device but error msg
      Your device does not qualify for bootloader unlocking

      Sorry I don't know the english

      Delete
    2. You need to try the same site for unlocking but in another language - try this one:
      https://motorola-global-es-latam.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-b

      Delete
  5. request unlock key not available. hat to do ?

    ReplyDelete
  6. request unlock key not available. what to do ?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi there, In the market there are many methods available for unlocking the modem, boot loader, and phone. But if your phone got locked then I have a solution. This solution name is unlocked code and it is 100% safe and secure method for unlocking the phone. You just need to share device details such as 15 digits IMEI number of the phone with country and operator. Using this method you can easily unlock your phone within a few seconds.

    ReplyDelete