[GUIDE] How to unlock the bootloader on the Motorola Moto X or Moto G

Unlocking your Android bootloader opening up your device to a world of custom ROMs, rooting, mods, and several other forms of Android hacks. This article helps those who are new to the hacking world understand the basics. It will explain the basics of the bootloader and you through the surprisingly easy process of unlocking the bootloader of Motorola device like the Moto X and Moto G.



The bootloader is the piece of code that’s executed before even the operating system loads. The function of the bootloader is basically to instruct the device how to load the OS. To do so, it has to communicate directly with the processor and motherboard (which are different for virtually every phone), so all in all, the bootloader is a very phone- and platform-specific piece of code.

Some manufacturers decide to lock the bootloader on their phones as a way to ensure that no one can change their custom Android user interfaces. Luckily, Motorola has gone the more developer-friendly way, and the company itself provides a bootloader unlock, making the whole process extremely easy.

Installing a custom ROM is one of the common reason for unlocking your bootloader, but an unlocked bootloader is also often required for getting root access to the system.

[NOTE] The following guide is applicable for the Motorola Moto X or the Motorola Moto G

[NOTE] While the following process should be easy to follow, we do not advise you to proceed unless you are well aware of the risks

[NOTE] Please backup your data (applications, contacts, images etc.) before you proceed with this guide

[DISCLAIMER] Your Moto X or Moto G warranty maybe void if you follow this guide to unlock your bootloader. Please note that this website will not be responsible for any loss of data or device malfunction which may occur from wrongly following this guide


Prerequisites

• Make sure your battery is fully charged
• Set USB debugging 'ON' on your device
• Download and install the Motorola USB drivers on your computer
• Download and install the Android SDK on your computer

Guide

1. Connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable. You have to enable USB debugging mode on your smartphone. You can do this by navigating to Settings > About Phone scroll to the bottom and tap Build number seven (7) times. You'll get a short pop-up in the lower area of your display saying that you're now a developer.
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2. Go back to the Developer Options menu, make sure that 'USB debugging is selected by clicking the check mark next to it and clicking OK on the prompt
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3. Go to the Command Prompt (Terminal) on your computer
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4. On your terminal you will have to navigate to the Android SDK folder
   Typically the SDK will be located in
   C:/Android SDK/adt-bundle-windows-x86_64-20131030/sdk/platform-tools/
   [NOTE] you have to find the exact path you have installed (extracted) the SDK on your computer and enter it in your command prompt with the CD command
   eg:  cd C:/android/sdk/platform-tools/
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5. Once you have navigated to the Android SDK folder you will have to enter the following command on your Command Prompt
   
   adb devices
   
   Press 'Enter' and you will see the following
   
   List of devices attached
   XXXXXXXXXX device
   
   The 'XXXXXXXXXX' is an alphanumeric code which will differ between devices.
   
   Next, type in
   
   adb reboot bootloader
   
   The device will now reboot into bootloader mode. You will have to wait for some time for the bootloader menu to appear
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   Next type in
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   fastboot oem get_unlock_data
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   You will get a string of code similar to what you see in the image below
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   You will have to copy the entire sequence of code from the command prompt and paste it in sequence in an app like Notepad
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   For example if your code is the text shown in red
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   (bootloader) 3A95720615784488#5441383833304C
   (bootloader) 47325600585431303332000000#361D
   (bootloader) 7293361E178D7D591294131B57789CA
   (bootloader) 86EC4#C39412020F000000000000000
   (bootloader) 0000000
   OKAY [ 0.164s]
   finished. total time: 0.164s
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   and should be saved as
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   3A95720615784488#5441383833304C47325600585431303332000000#361D7293361E178D7D591294131B57789CA86EC4#C39412020F0000000000000000000000
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6. Go to Motorola.com and sign into your Motorola account. Now scroll down to step 6 on that page, paste in your code from above and click on the 'Can my device be unlocked?' button.
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7. If your device can be unlocked you will to told to scroll to the bottom of that page and have the unlock code to sent to your email.
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8. Copy the 20 character code your have received in your email, make sure your device is still connected to your computer and head back to the Command Prompt on your computer and type:
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   fastboot devices
   To check that your phone is listed, and next:
   
   fastboot oem unlock UNIQUE_KEY
   Where instead of 'UNIQUE_KEY' you type in your own 20-character key that Motorola sent you via email.
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9. If you have followed the instructions correctly your device should now reboot itself
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10. You should now see the message shown above indicating that your bootloader is now unlocked

Despite the lengthy process, it should be relatively easy to unlock your Moto X or Moto G using this guide. Leave us a comment if you were able to follow the process successfully or feel free to leave us a comment if you faced any issues

source - Motorola | PhoneArena