[Q] Who do I bug for the bootloader unlock key? - Moto G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've called Verizon, I've called Motorola and its a game of pointing fingers.
I understand it voids the warranty. Under H.R. 1123 I am able to do with my phone as I please.
Who do I call to the highest level. I'm sick of being treated like Motorola or Verizon own the phone. I paid outright and the phone is mine. Now where is my unlocked boot loader so we can develop for this phone?

Is that hard to find?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=47705438&postcount=6

Verizon Moto G is not supported by the moto website.
I already have a Moto X Pure Edition, and understand the process.
Fact is, I own the Moto G outright and would like to unlock my bootloader regardless of the voided warranty or the "comparability" issues since all of the Moto G's have different hardware, but Motorola is still not providing me with the generated code. I've called and emailed and they still tell me that they cannot provide me with it.

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[Q] Poll: Did you request an unlock code for your Moto G or keep your U.S. warranty?

In the U.S. the Motorola warranty coverage ends when you request an unlock code.
I have rooted a couple of previous phones, but in those cases there were exploits available to unlock the bootloaders on those phones so it did not affect the warranty status.
I guess this is a smart way for Motorola to do it - allowing people to easily unlock their bootloaders takes away most of the incentive for finding an exploit.
Still, if the phone develops a hardware problem that exists even after returning the phone to stock - shouldn't that still be covered by the warranty? I guess from Motorola's point of view, the user who unlocked the phone may have messed it up and Motorola shouldn't be responsible.
I bought my phone using a credit card that doubles my warranty up to an extra year so, in theory, I have two years of warranty. I suspect that the majority of phone failures are due to dropping the phone which would never be covered under warranty anyway. Square Trade insurance backs this up, at least for insured phones: "We next drilled down into the two main reported causes of accidents, drops and spills. Unsurprisingly, drops are responsible for most accidents – 77% to be precise"
I have seen threads where people sent money to a "Chinese middleman" in order to get an unlock code but I wonder - how do they know that the guy isn't just requesting the unlock codes from Motorola and violating their warranties at the same time? They wouldn't know unless they made a warranty claim, would they? Is there a way people can check on the Motorola site?
The stock experience on the Moto G is very good as are the updates - I currently have 4.4.3 and am hoping for 4.4.4 soon. And it seems to have been reported that we will even get android L when it comes out. From my forum reading, I get the impression that most people unlock and root their Moto G to be able to run xposed and make small tweaks to their phone. Which did you choose - warranty or root?
yaconsult said:
In the U.S. the Motorola warranty coverage ends when you request an unlock code.
I have rooted a couple of previous phones, but in those cases there were exploits available to unlock the bootloaders on those phones so it did not affect the warranty status.
I guess this is a smart way for Motorola to do it - allowing people to easily unlock their bootloaders takes away most of the incentive for finding an exploit.
Still, if the phone develops a hardware problem that exists even after returning the phone to stock - shouldn't that still be covered by the warranty? I guess from Motorola's point of view, the user who unlocked the phone may have messed it up and Motorola shouldn't be responsible.
I bought my phone using a credit card that doubles my warranty up to an extra year so, in theory, I have two years of warranty. I suspect that the majority of phone failures are due to dropping the phone which would never be covered under warranty anyway. Square Trade insurance backs this up, at least for insured phones: "We next drilled down into the two main reported causes of accidents, drops and spills. Unsurprisingly, drops are responsible for most accidents – 77% to be precise"
I have seen threads where people sent money to a "Chinese middleman" in order to get an unlock code but I wonder - how do they know that the guy isn't just requesting the unlock codes from Motorola and violating their warranties at the same time? They wouldn't know unless they made a warranty claim, would they? Is there a way people can check on the Motorola site?
The stock experience on the Moto G is very good as are the updates - I currently have 4.4.3 and am hoping for 4.4.4 soon. And it seems to have been reported that we will even get android L when it comes out. From my forum reading, I get the impression that most people unlock and root their Moto G to be able to run xposed and make small tweaks to their phone. Which did you choose - warranty or root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir..you may also mention, that once the bootloader is unlocked, there is a permanent code written to the bootloader..and warranty is voided with this method..if one is to "relock" the device..this permanent code remains..
And it probably is possible for Motorola to trace an unlocked device with the IMEI..
Simply put..if one is concerned about warranty..don't unlock until warranty has expired..otherwise..unlock and void the warranty..
To unlock the bootloader of a Developer Edition does NOT void the warranty..
Sent from my:
4.4.4_21.11.21 (Unlocked)
XT1080M Droid Maxx #2
http://waynekent.com/page6.html
"Praise Jah" YOU people.!
NWKENT said:
Sir..you may also mention, that once the bootloader is unlocked, there is a permanent code written to the bootloader..and warranty is voided with this method..if one is to "relock" the device..this permanent code remains..
And it probably is possible for Motorola to trace an unlocked device with the IMEI..
Simply put..if one is concerned about warranty..don't unlock until warranty has expired..otherwise..unlock and void the warranty..
To unlock the bootloader of a Developer Edition does NOT void the warranty..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the clarification. I guess the people who are paying the "Chinese middleman" may still be screwed even if they return the phone to stock and try to get warranty service. And, as I said, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the guy was just doing a free unlock via motorola and charging people for it. Yet, this guy claims that he got a working unlock code for a verizon moto g from him for $45: http://swappa.com/listing/TND932/moto-g-verizon But I agree with you that this method would not preserve the warranty. And, clearly, unlocking your bootloader via motorola will mark the phone's unique identifier as being out of warranty. But not if you're lucky enough to live in Europe as I guess they get better legal rights on warranty than we do!
Unfortunately, there does not yet seem to be a Developer Edition of the Moto G LTE model.
Hence, my survey - how many people chose to give up their warranty in return for root on their Moto G?
yaconsult said:
Hence, my survey - how many people chose to give up their warranty in return for root on their Moto G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the moment I've chosen to keep my warranty even if I really want the root for my Moto G LTE.
I just hope that in a few weeks / months there will be a way to root the phone without unlock the bootloader.
Well, I reached the point where I decided to unlock my bootloader and root my phone. The deciding factor for doing so was the too aggressive minfree memory setting after the 4.4.4 update. You notice that when you try switching between a couple of applications, like browser and navigation, that it has killed the other app and restarts it when you switch back to it. Once you have root, you can fix this by adjusting minfree: http://m.androidcentral.com/fine-tuning-minfree-settings-improving-androids-multi-tasking
I also wanted to try out xposed and gravitybox which adds many very nice customization options. It works very nicely and I'm trying out some other xposed modules.
So I ended up not unlocking my bootloader right away, but waited a few months to make sure that the phone had no hardware issues. For me, it was worth the tradeoff to unlock it after that as I felt that the odds of having phone problems that would be covered under the warranty were quite slim. Minfree manager and xposed/gravitybox make the Moto G a much nicer phone for me.
I never had Motorola's warranty as the brand new g I got already had its boot loader unlocked as well as twrp custom recovery which didn't work. Had to root it then use flashify to get a working recovery. When asked what I was supposed to do about my non working recovery they didn't have anything to say.
Sent from my GT-I9070
I prefer unlocked boot loader and voided warranty. Warranty rules are always so specific and many great areas don't cover repairs anyway. Apart from x posed and all, I am such an addict I flashing ROMs and all, I wouldn't want it any other way. I would be more reluctant on a $900 Samsung or Sony, but if the moto G fails, its much cheaper. I can still get a moto g from cricket for $99 or $129 and a $50 rebate deal is still active

[Q] How to Unlock Bootloader on Moto G '13 Model

Hello everyone,
I am sure that this has been asked and answered before, but I have not found much solutions beyond the common "wait and see what happens".
My problem is that I own a 16GB 2013 Motorola Moto G which I purchased unlocked and with a Global GSM from Amazon in March and am having trouble unlocking the boot loader. I am currently connected to the Vodafone EG network (although not on a plan- it is prepaid).
I have gone through all the steps from [I am not allowed to post the link, but it's legit and consistent with all other tutorials.] but am told by the Motorola website that my phone cannot be unlocked. On the Motorola forums, it only states that Moto Gs sold by AT&T cannot be unlocked, so I am confused as the why the phone which I bought unlocked does not work.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should go around rooting my phone? Is there any way to root it without directly unlocking the boot loader from Motorola? Would it work if I reset the phone/removed the SIM card?
Thanks.
Get sunshine: http://theroot.ninja
$25 but its worth it. Think about all the freedom you get by unlocking the bootloader.
Sounds great, except the website states it only works on Moto Gs running 4.4.3 or lower. I am running 4.4.4 (sorry I forgot to mention that). Any suggestions?
Try to copy the code by hand
Download it and run it. Sunshine will first do a bunch of comparability tests. Only when the app knows its compatible it will pause and ask for payment. Once you pay, and if it doesn't work, they guarantee a refund on their site. Download it and try it, can't hurt. The site also states that it might work on some devices running 4.4.4
Also you stated that the Motorola website states only att phones cannot be unlocked. Maybe your phone cannot be unlocked because it was probably on the att network before it was gsm unlocked.
donkeycarts said:
Hello everyone,
I am sure that this has been asked and answered before, but I have not found much solutions beyond the common "wait and see what happens".
My problem is that I own a 16GB 2013 Motorola Moto G which I purchased unlocked and with a Global GSM from Amazon in March and am having trouble unlocking the boot loader. I am currently connected to the Vodafone EG network (although not on a plan- it is prepaid).
I have gone through all the steps from [I am not allowed to post the link, but it's legit and consistent with all other tutorials.] but am told by the Motorola website that my phone cannot be unlocked. On the Motorola forums, it only states that Moto Gs sold by AT&T cannot be unlocked, so I am confused as the why the phone which I bought unlocked does not work.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should go around rooting my phone? Is there any way to root it without directly unlocking the boot loader from Motorola? Would it work if I reset the phone/removed the SIM card?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not an answer to your current issue but may help with next one...
It's best to check these issues before you decide to buy a device. As a rule, avoid carrier-branded and/or network-locked devices unless the benefit to you outweighs the reality that your device belongs to that carrier/network forever and is likely permanently bootloader locked.
Carrier devices aren't discounted or subsidized usually, they are amortized. Overall, you may end up paying more than buying an unlocked device outright separately from a mobile plan.
Did sunshine work?

Does the Moto G XT1031 (Boost Mobile edition) support unlocking of the bootloader?

I need a definite answer because I plan on purchasing one. And I'm getting mixed results when looking my question up on Google.
Thanks in advance.
I have a moto g xt1031 boost and I unlocked mine perfectly fine, actuality in the forum today looking around for answers, been messing with mine all day...lol
MotogProbs said:
I have a moto g xt1031 boost and I unlocked mine perfectly fine, actuality in the forum today looking around for answers, been messing with mine all day...lol
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Click to collapse
Awesome. So I shouldn't have any issues unlocking said bootloader if I bought one used from a reputable seller on Ebay?
I apologize for bumping. But apparently Motorla customer support says that it's not unlockable. Why is there conflicting information? There are folks who have unlocked bootloaders and others cannot get said bootloaders to unlock from what I'm reading.
From what I have read and done on my XT1031 from boost, shouldn't be a problem, because if I am correct, boost only has one version the prepaid XT1031. I would just make sure to get model number before purchase and if its the XT1031, I don't see any issues. On a side not I somehow deleted my entire rom, and only had Twrp on my phone and pc wouldn't recognize it, thank god for OTG cable, now running solid on Unlocked bootloader /twrp 2.8.6.0/ and CM 12.1, great little phone
MotogProbs said:
From what I have read and done on my XT1031 from boost, shouldn't be a problem, because if I am correct, boost only has one version the prepaid XT1031. I would just make sure to get model number before purchase and if its the XT1031, I don't see any issues. On a side not I somehow deleted my entire rom, and only had Twrp on my phone and pc wouldn't recognize it, thank god for OTG cable, now running solid on Unlocked bootloader /twrp 2.8.6.0/ and CM 12.1, great little phone
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Click to collapse
There's gotta be a reason they're selling them for dirt cheap though, right? The Verizon ones are being sold for very cheap. And I know for a fact that they're not unlockable.
The Boost Mobile Moto G XT1031 is absolutely bootloader unlockable. I've personally unlocked 4 of them.
https://forums.motorola.com/posts/35e4d3be5c
Sent from my XT1031
So the support rep lied to me... Don't know why they'd do that... Anywho, I placed an order and if it's not unlockable, then I'm going to return it. Thanks for the reassurance.
As already stated the boost Xt1031 is 100 percent without a doubt able to have the bootloader unlocked. As for why they are selling dirt cheap I believe its because for all intents and purposes it is being phased out. Most retailers in my area don't carry them anymore. Online is a different story but the phone is nearing 3 years old. Motorola is on the 3rd gen. of the G hence most sellers with any inventory are trying to dump it while they can get at least something for it.
Don't get me wrong I love my moto but honestly I can't remember the last time I had a phone this long before its life cycle was over.
n0ts0smart said:
As already stated the boost Xt1031 is 100 percent without a doubt able to have the bootloader unlocked. As for why they are selling dirt cheap I believe its because for all intents and purposes it is being phased out. Most retailers in my area don't carry them anymore. Online is a different story but the phone is nearing 3 years old. Motorola is on the 3rd gen. of the G hence most sellers with any inventory are trying to dump it while they can get at least something for it.
Don't get me wrong I love my moto but honestly I can't remember the last time I had a phone this long before its life cycle was over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally want a phone to tinker around with. That's all. My 2011 HTC One S is starting to show its age. I really don't get why some carriers lock down their devices *cough* Verizon . Especially if they refuse to ship out updates in light of the stagefright exploit. Any vulnerability should be taken seriously. Anywho, thanks for the reassurance, fellas. I appreciate it.

Will my 3rd gen have bootloader unlock?

Hi.
Do every Moto G 3rd gen have the ability to unlock the bootloader? What determines if I can unlock? Will I only know when mine have arrived? (I ordered one from amazon.co.uk today, a black 16gb model without a carrier.)
(Oooops, this should probably have gone in the Q&A part of the forum)
yes, it'll be unlockable
Unless you got a carrier specific branded model (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, or whatever), it should be unlockable via the Moto site. One thing to keep in mind is that if you go through the process on the website and accept the terms and conditions, your warranty is void... period... It doesn't matter if you actually unlock or not, once you accept the T&C your warranty is gone, so it is best to wait a week or two before unlocking the bootloader to verify there are no issues, but to be completely honest, this is the first phone I have had in a while that I have no great want want to unlock and root, and I was a flashaholic on my old Nexus 4, the stock ROM is very good.

advice for a dumb verizon customer

hello, im in need of a rootable cell phone, i bought what i thought was a moto z play but was actually a moto z play droid (xt1635-01) which is locked tight thanks to big red
so im wondering if anyone knows a comparable phone that is unlockable. for example verizons offering of pixels maybe? i had a lg g4 which was bootloader locked but rootable, which was acceptable until the motherboard went out. this happened to me on a samsung gs3 so i HAD samsung and lg both on do not buy list but after this motorola trash im ready to just take whatever will work.
any help for a poor sap still stuck on verizon? thanks
bigredretard said:
hello, im in need of a rootable cell phone, i bought what i thought was a moto z play but was actually a moto z play droid (xt1635-01) which is locked tight thanks to big red
so im wondering if anyone knows a comparable phone that is unlockable. for example verizons offering of pixels maybe? i had a lg g4 which was bootloader locked but rootable, which was acceptable until the motherboard went out. this happened to me on a samsung gs3 so i HAD samsung and lg both on do not buy list but after this motorola trash im ready to just take whatever will work.
any help for a poor sap still stuck on verizon? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at the list of available Verizon devices, get their model numbers and then search to see which of those model numbers are rootable.
If you can use any unlocked device then just search for rootable devices that Verizon will allow in their BYOP program, if they allow unlocked devices then take your pick of any of rootable devices they allow on their network. You can even choose a device that is not only rootable but has custom ROMs available also.
I DO NOT PROVIDE HELP IN PM, KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE

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