How to Root Motorola Moto X with locked / unlocked bootloader

Moto X is not yet late to the rooting party. Today’s guide will introduce the requirements as well as the steps which make such a procedure a dream come true. So prepare your device, but make sure it’s the locked bootloader model available on either Sprint, Verizon Wireless, US Cellular or AT&T.

A rooted Motorola Moto X means access to its internal system. Which, in turn, means the possibility to get custom ROMs, flash either TWRP or CWM, flash a custom kernel (or several) and get rid of pre-installed programs. You will also find it easy to install root-only apps.

On the other hand, though, a rooted Moto X will have its warranty erased. You can, however, have the warranty return on your device by either upgrading it to official Android version or by downgrading to a stock Android version.

Requirements

The next couple of minutes are all dedicated to showing you what to achieve before rooting your smartphone:

  • work with a notebook (or a PC) which has Android SDK flashed on it;
  • create backups for your handset;
  • charge the battery of your phone;
  • turn on USB Debugging by following this route: open Settings, opt for applications, select Development and then turn on that specific box which says USB Debugging;
  • now go to your PC pr laptop, turn off all of the programs which work to protect the device from attacks, then do the same for the Moto X.

Check one more time and see if the phone you own has a locked bootloader. But even if you own such a model, the Moto X with an unlocked bootloader can also be rooted.motorola-moto-x

Instructions for a phone with locked bootloader

  1. Here is how to root the version with a locked bootloader. The guide can be used for models available at the following carriers: Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular and AT&T. Download, on your notebook, an apk file called and send it to a Fastboot directory; the latter is going to appear after the Android SDK features on your notebook.
  2. When done, you should launch a Command Line Window from that folder; to do so, you need to tap “Shift”, then right-click on the mouse and opt for “Open Command Line Here” from a drop-down menu which will come on the display.
  3. Next couple of tasks: plug the smartphone to your laptop, enter
    adb install -r PwnMyMoto-.apk
    in the Command Line Window, then wait until the rooting firmware gets flashed on the Motorola Moto X.
  4. [sc name=”banner-jos”]Then make sure to disconnect the devices from each other and then launch the root file on the phone. Once the process is accomplished, you should access Google Play.
  5. Up next: look for SuperSU app around and then flash it on the handset. It will be the tool which tells you if the rooting was successful.

Instructions for a phone with unlocked bootloader

  1. Now let’s see how the Moto X with an unlocked bootloader can be rooted. Download on your laptop, transfer it from there to that Fastboot folder and then launch a second Command Prompt Window from the latter.
  2. Then make sure you do as follows: plug the handset to your PC or laptop, after which enter the following in the Command Line Window:
    adb install -r
    The tool required for a rooted device shall find its way on the latter soon after the flashing is done.

As soon as the installation is completely over, you need to unplug the Moto X from your notebook. Be sure to verify if the root firmware is there on your phone or not by simply launching it. Or you can use the previously mentioned SuperSU app for this.

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