How to unlock bootloader and root Moto G3 and Moto G

If you are here to see the Moto G 1st Gen rooting guide, then please scroll below. Moto G root guide is below, and for the Moto G3 root guide, read Moto G3 rooting section. Moto G 3rd Gen root guide consists Of unlock the bootloader, installing the custom recovery, and root Moto G3.

Update: – Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus rooting guide is here.

The third-generation Moto G smartphone called Moto G3, and Moto G 2015 comes with many new features. The device has a 5.0-inch display screen, which is an HD display screen.

Under the hood of the Moto G 3rd gen, you get a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor and 2 GB RAM. The device’s rear shooter is a 13 Megapixel one, whereas you get a 5 Megapixel front shooter with the device.

P.S. – You should check out these best Motorola offers on mobiles, smartwatches, and accessories.

If you want to install custom ROMs on the device or have root access, you should get root permissions on the Moto G 3rd gen. Today in this guide, we will show you how to unlock the bootloader of Moto G3 and how to root Moto G3. If you want to root Moto G Turbo, then read this guide.

Pre-Requisites

  • The device which you are going to root should have a decent amount of battery. We suggest your device is having at least 80% battery in it.
  • Enable USB debugging on your smartphone. Go to Settings > About Phone and tap on build number 8 times. Return to Settings and then go to Developer Options. Enable USB debugging from here.
  • If you have valuable data, create a backup of all the information present in your device. All your data will be erased at the stage; you will unlock the bootloader of the device.
  • Install Minimal ADB and Fastboot tools on your PC.
  • Install drivers of Moto G3 on your PC.

Extra Note: If you enjoyed android apps and games on your Moto G and wanted them on your PC, you can do so just by downloading and installing Bluestacks android emulator.

How to unlock the bootloader of Moto G 3rd gen

To get root access on Moto G 3rd gen, your device’s bootloader should be unlocked first. Follow the guide shared below as it will help you to unlock the bootloader of Moto G 3rd gen.

  1. Power off your Motorola Moto G smartphone. Once your device is powered off, you need to switch it on in Fastboot mode. To enter the Fastboot mode of Moto G 3rd gen, you have to press the Volume Up + Power key.
  2. Connect the smartphone to your PC. Once your device is connected, go to the folder where you have installed Minimal ADB &Fastboot tools. You need to enter a couple of commands now. Open the command window by selecting the right mouse button and Shift key. Select the open command window here.
  3. Check if Moto G is connected in Fastboot mode with your PC by entering the command mentioned below.

fastboot devices

  1. Now you need to get the unlock data, which will help you unlock your smartphone’s bootloader. You can enter the command shared below, which will assist you in getting unlock key data.

fastboot OEM get_unlock_data

  1. A long string will be displayed in front of you. Copy it and keep it in Notepad. Remove all the spaces which are present in the string.
  2. The next step is opening the Motorola website. Go to the link and open the Motorola website.
  3. Create a new Motorola account if you are not having one. Once you are logged on the site, you have to paste the string you have copied in notepad in Step 5.
  4. Copy it and then select Can my device be unlocked. Select I Agree on the option, and after that, you have to choose Request Unlock Key.
  5. Open your mail id, which you used for logging on to the Motorola website, and then check Motorola’s mail. It will have a unlock code that will help you to unlock the bootloader of Moto G3.
  6. Open the command window again and enter the command mentioned below, which will finally unlock the bootloader of Moto G3.

fastboot OEM unlocks (insert code here)

This will unlock the bootloader of Moto G 3rd generation. Now you are ready to install recovery and root your device.

How to install TWRP recovery on Moto G 2015

To install TWRP recovery, you need to download the recovery first.

  1. Download TWRP(2.8.7-r7.img) recovery for Moto G by opening this link. Rename the recovery to img and copy it to the directory of MinimalFastboot and ADB tools.
  2. Now you have to put your device in Fastboot mode again—repeat Steps 1 and two here, which you followed while unlocking the bootloader.
  3. Enter the command mentioned below as it will flash recovery on your device.

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

  1. Within a couple of minutes, recovery will be flashed on the device.

Once TWRP recovery is flashed, you are ready to root  Moto G3.

Also Read: – All about Motorola Moto G3

How to root Moto G3

  1. Download SuperSU on your mobile by opening this link.
  2. Once downloaded, power off your smartphone and enter the recovery by pressing the Power + Volume Down button.
  3. Select the Install button and browse the Super SU file.
  4. Flash the file on your device.

You will get root access on Moto g 3rd gen. This is how you can quickly unlock bootloader and root Moto G 3rd gen.

How to Root Moto G on any Android Firmware

  1. The first thing you have to do is to go to this page.
  2. From the above-mentioned site, you have to download the latest version of the Superboot app.
  3. Place the downloaded file on your PC.
  4. Unzip the file anywhere, for example, on a desktop.
  5. On your computer, open a command prompt window (start – run – cmd).
  6. On the command prompt window, navigate to the folder you have just unzipped (using cd commands).
  7. Turn off your Moto G smartphone.
  8. Wait a few seconds and then reboot into bootloader mode.
  9. For bootloader mode, press and hold volume down and power buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
  10. Then connect your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable.
  11. On the cmd window, type the following command: “superboot-windows.bat.”
  12. Wait while your Moto G is being rooted.
  13. In the end, unplug the USB cord and reboot your phone.
  14. Go to Google Play and download the Root Checker app to check the root status.
  15. If the root checker app says root access available, then Enjoys you have rooted your Moto G.
  16. After Moto G rooting, you can install custom ROMs and firmware.

Note: – If you want to remove the unlocked bootloader message, then download this file and flash it via TWRP recovery.

I am the chief editor of TheLeaker. I also maintain the backend stuff of the site. I’m a tech enthusiast and loves to do Python coding in my free time. I have worked at many giant publications like XDA Developers and NXTtech before starting TheLeaker.
You can get in touch with me at Garv[at]theleaker.com.

122 thoughts on “How to unlock bootloader and root Moto G3 and Moto G”

  1. I have a Problem to install twrp.
    My Device is a XT1541 with 1 GB Ram.
    Bootloader seems to be open, because I get a Message at boot about this
    Wenn I type “fastboot flash recovery twrp.img” The Terminal tell me :
    (bootloader) Preflash validation failed
    FAILED (remote failure)
    The log on the Phone tell me: Missmatched partition size (rcovery)
    So have anyone a solution for me ?

    Reply
  2. I have rooted my moto g3 and it is stuck in “Warning BOOTLOADER UNLOCKED” screen. I already cleared cache and Dalvik but no luck. It is been 30 minutes now, please assist. Is any ETA for startup?

    Reply
  3. My sim card service is not working after i unlock the bootloader and done twrp on my moto g3
    How to solve the issue of sim card?
    Anyone??….

    Reply
  4. My sim card service is not working after i unlock the bootloader and done twrp on my moto g3
    How to solve the issue of sim card?
    Anyone??

    Reply
  5. i dont have OS currently. when i try to unlock the device it asking ALLOW OEM in developer option … help me out how to resolve this error… quick response will be great helpful for me

    Reply
  6. I’ve been surfing online more thzn three hours today, yet I
    never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough
    for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers
    made good content ass you did, tthe web will be much mre useful
    than ever before.

    Reply
  7. I rooted my motorola g3 bymistakely using kingroot but it is not removing and i wanna get ota update so can u please tell me that how can relock the bootloader without using pc cause i don’t have one

    Reply
  8. I rooted my motog3 by using kingroot unmistakeably i want to unroot it but kingroot is not removing from my motog3 i want to get update my motorola but i cant get as i m rooted please help suggest me something to remove kingroot

    Reply
  9. guys ,while doing an ota update my g3 went in bootloop.altough i could access the fastboot mode , i cant flash rom since boot loader is locked. even after trying to unlock with the security key from the moto website failed due since usb debbuging is off.so how can i un lock the bootloader and flash firmware………….please help bro……

    Reply
  10. i followed all the steps but now when i reboot the device it shows ‘Warning Bootloader Unlocked’ screen and my moto g3 is not rebooting, i am so worried, plz tell me what to do now. I have cleared the cache/dalvik, but its still not working, what should i do now?? Plz tell me fast!!!

    Reply
  11. I had successfully installed Super SU n after that when I reboot my phone it strucks on the bootloader unlocked warning. I had wait for more than 40 min but my phone is not rebooting. So can u help me I had tried all the methods mentioned in this comment box

    Reply
  12. Hi, i have successfully done all the steps in my moto g XT1550 and super SU also installed but when i reboot it strucks on bootloader warning. i clear all the cache and dalvink but the same issue. than i tried factory data reset also n the same issue. please help me.

    Reply
  13. Ahh, I don’t think is possible for me. I have a Moto G (3rd Gen.) 2015 that is connected to Republic Wireless. I think they have made it so you cannot unlock your bootloader. “Your device does not qualify for bootloader unlocking” says the Motorola site on step #8. Makes sense though, they practically give the phone out free as long as you stick with them. Does anyone know if there is another way to unlock the bootloader currently?

    Reply
  14. I just enabled developer mode in my phone But I forgot to copy my data in my PC now Usb not connecting for Media File Transfer. What shoud I do. still I didn’t started procceding for root process.

    Reply
  15. my moto g3 xt1550, i cant get the bootloader key, in the official website it is showing your device is not eligible for boot loader unlocking

    Reply
  16. I was getting stuck at the step installing TWRP. Downloaded TWRP recovery (file originaly called twrp287r7) and renamed it to twrp287r7.img . I copied the file to the minimal ADB and fastboot folder. In the command prompt (the one from the shortcut “minimal ABD and fastboot” which ensure you are straight in the right folder), I typed
    fastboot flash recovery twrp287r7.img
    but I got message:
    has-slot:recovery: not found
    error: cannot load ‘twrp287r7.img’

    Was quite puzzled, but it stemmed from access rules for windows 10. minimal ADB and Fastboot installed in the folder c:\program files (x86)\minimal ADB and fastboot> It seems windows did not like me copy and paste the file twrp287r7.img in the program files folder and blocked attempts for fastboot to access it! I copied pasted the whole minimal ADB and fastboot folder and its content into c:\user\benoit> and it all worked fine!

    Reply
  17. Get stuck at the step installing TWRP. Downloaded TWRP recovery (file originaly called twrp287r7) and renamed it to twrp287r7.img . I copied the file to the minimal ADB and fastboot folder. Using minimal ADB and fastboot command prompt, I typed
    fastboot flash recovery twrp287r7.img
    but get message:
    has-slot:recovery: not found
    error: cannot load ‘twrp287r7.img’

    What to do?

    Reply
  18. When installing cyanogenmod 13 and cache wiping then reboot it’s again came back to unlock bootloader screen.its not rooted yet…

    Reply
  19. hi. when I try to install TWRP 3.0.2 or any (i first tried 2.8.7) I get this error message.
    what am I doing wrong? I was able to install TWRP 3.0.2 ONCE but in used the wrong SuperSU and so it got soft-bricked. I restored to stock conditions and now I can only unlock bootloader and can’t proceed!! Please help!!!

    Reply
  20. A day before,i am on marshmallow rom….but i have downgrader to lollipop by flashing firmware images for 5.1.1…….but i am facing network connectivity issue in that….the data services automatically off and it will on after a couple of seconds…so i think that…can i return back to marshmallow by flashing marshmallow firmware imagea…..or can i troubleshoot those issues in my 5.1.1 rom…….please help me….

    Reply
  21. when i flash twrp recovery mode in my phone get meny time but not open he show that warning bootloader unlocked. what i do please reply

    Reply
  22. Sir when do unlock my device in bootloader mode it says your device is not qualify for bootloader unlocking. sir please reply me.

    Reply
  23. Where to download Drivers of Moto G3 & how to install them.
    Do I need to go any specific site, or can I download by googling it…??
    I’m a beginner….
    So pls help me

    Reply
  24. HI,
    I have rooted my Moto G3-TE sucessfully. Post rooting, my camera is not working at all. It showing “Camera Error: Please restart your camera.” Flash light also not working. Please help me.

    Reply
  25. I am facing some problem with my MOTO G 3rd Gen. I completed all the steps correctly to root my phone but just after i flashed supersu in recovery mode i selected to reboot my device but it got stucked on bootloader unlocked warning screen. How can I start my phone normally ?

    Reply
  26. Can u kindly explain why is it necessary to install twrp recovery after unlocking bootloader…cant we just directly root our phone with supersu?

    Reply
  27. I tried to root my Moto G 2015 after installing the OTA Marshmallow update.
    I successfully unlocked the bootloader but can installed TWRP custom recovery.
    i will try it some time but twrp are not recovery.(error can;t load )
    plz help me…

    Reply
  28. I get problems with moto g3 i update my phone 6.0 then not working google play servces so pls any one helpe me i los my all contacts all data plssss some one help me

    Reply
  29. After update my mobile in service center,i m not able to sign in via my 1st google account.i forget my email id which was used.plz help

    Reply
  30. i do have a same problem actually i tried to root my phone with kingsroot but at the meantime while rooting my moto g turbo xt1557 and stock in bootloader mode and whenever i try to startup i.e switch up my phone it display the message “cannot start up successfully” ap fastboot flash mode(secured ) and cannot boot but i also try to reset but it can be reset and when i go to recover mode and try to factory reset then it display “no command” and i tried avvobe process to unlock bootloader as i want to flash a rom which need to unlock bootloader while unlocking and try to get unlock key from motorola get my key buttom doesnot apper when i copy those lines it exact order from the command window please what to do anyone help me to get rid of it n help me get my phone back

    Reply
  31. I am facing a very very strange problem with my moto g3 S. After upgrading to Android 6.01 i am having some touch issue. the touch acts like some ghost is operation my phone after the battery gets below 38 percent. The touch will start operating the phone by itself and it goes out of control. finally i will have to put my phone on charge or turn it off to avoid any accident viz. sending random msgs to random number or make call ads the touch is working on it ownself. please suggest a remedy. i am bit frustrated.

    Reply
  32. any other way to degrade marshmallow to lollipop ….plzzz suggest us and what is the use of factory data reset…

    Reply
  33. Hello sir .my fon moto g 3rd g. Xt541.
    Have problem sim card
    Fon showing sim card and mobile internet deta also working but wen I was calling not working for call’s .only probilom for call’s

    Reply
  34. Thanks for clear instructions however it does not work on moto g third gen Australian version marshmallow 6.
    Problem is twrp does not work cannot enter recovery mode just hangs so cannot install anything
    Tried few different versions don’t think works marshmallow
    Also in step 1 this does not make sense… rename twrp to IMG…do you mean twrp.IMG?

    Reply
  35. After installing SuperSU mobile doesn’t starts and it get stuck with the bootloader unlocked logo… .. Can moto g3 be rooted or not..?

    Reply
    • If you are in Marshmallow then you have to download a different Super SU file. Please read the rooting section again new files are just added there for Android Marshmallow.

      Reply
  36. I tried to root my Moto G 2015 after installing the OTA Marshmallow update.
    I successfully unlocked the bootloader and installed TWRP custom recovery.
    But after I flash SuperSu, I am unable to boot, as the device gets stuck on the Warning screen forever (I waited for three hours).
    I restored to the backup I made before flashing SuperSu, and it works just fine. I tried flashing SuperSu once again just to be sure. Please tell me how to proceed.

    Reply
  37. Recently i updated my moto g3 from lollypop to 6.0 marshmallo nd i am having problems with huge ram consumption causing hanging of phone…battery draining fastly…excessive phone heat….plz tell me how to downgrade this version to previous one

    Reply
  38. My mobile motog3 locked please help i tried hard reset by pressing power nd volume keys bt no use i thing it is because i installed kaspersky app nd i forget to register it they send activation links to activate bt i ignored and i got a msg after 1week your account has been deleted so now i dont have any kind of recovery kindly please help.

    Reply
  39. what should I do, act phone is locked when I turned it on that time asked about (enter last seen email id) so what can I do with that for unlock the phone ? pls help me out….

    Reply
  40. Can it be unlocked for sim using cuz I bought it for prepaid plan in us and get back to eu.. And I cannot use other sim providers.. Who knows solution beside paying for activation code tell me

    Reply

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