Question ROMs or roote methods? - Moto G Power (2021)

I just got one of these bad boys and i about rooted it and flashed an older models ROM before i realized i had the 2021 model

---

I imagine we will have to wait for stock firmware to show up before we can root

---

[Edited to clean up instructions]
I have the xt2117-4 version of the moto g power 2021 and the following worked for me to get root Using Magisk.
There is only one issue I had and this was because of Magisk. Some apps have issue's using fingerprint if Magisk is not set correctly. I will add the setting to fix fingerprint on apps at end. As always try at your own risk.
if you have a pin or security code remove it as touch screen for me did not work so had to manually type in twrp adb commands to backup boot and not knowing how to add security codes to twrp adb backup fails.
You need to have unlocked your bootloader and usb drivers from Motorola and phone in usb debug mode in developer options.
Now plug in usb cable to computer and phone
On the PC
Install adb (plenty of info on this and other sites how to do this). Then get moto g play twrp recovery image #1 from
BuildBox
mirror.theogpanda.workers.dev
Put it into adb folder on PC and rename it recovery.img
Start phone in bootloader mode by using power and volume down button
Once phone is in bootloader mode on pc at command prompt in adb directory run
fastboot boot recovery.img
this side loads it and does not replace your recovery.
Once twrp is fully loaded on your phone on the pc at command prompt in adb directory run
adb shell twrp backup B
this will back up boot.emmc.win to twrp directory on your phone and can be seen using a file explorer. The twrp folder is at the same levels as photos, alarms, etc
After backup is completed, hold down power button until phone reboots. I cannot remember if it boots to the phone or bootloader, at this point we want to boot to phone and allow usb file transfer.
Now use windows file explorer and copy boot.emmc.win to the pc and rename it boot.img and then put it in the adb directory. Reboot phone to bootloader again and in command prompt in adb directory run.
fastboot boot boot.img
this sideloads it and makes sure it boots right.
Put the phone to usb transfer mode again then copy boot.img to the download folder of the phone and install Magisk following method 2 from this guide
How to Install Magisk and Root Android Devices with it [2 Methods]
In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to install Magisk Universal Systemless Interface to root Android devices. There are two different methods to install it – First…
www.thecustomdroid.com
Once rooted and finding a app that finger prints do not work on you can hide Magisk from the app. In Magisk manager click on shield at bottom. Click on magisk hide grey bar and select only apps not working as I heard putting in to many can cause issues (cannot verify but why try) Now programs should work with fingerprint.
Don't forget to keep original boot.img incase you have to restore it

---

If you loaded Magisk and are having problems with banking app look at this post and he has another setting in Magisk that you can change to fix this. It is under the heading "a note about mobile banking apps".
Rooting with Magisk
Just a heads up to anyone who is wondering about root for this phone - I successfully rooted it with Magisk. It was pretty easy. Basically I just followed the same steps as outlined in this thread, which was for rooting last year's Moto G Stylus...
forum.xda-developers.com

---

kbwojo said:
I imagine we will have to wait for stock firmware to show up before we can root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock firmware maybe available with LMSA' s Flash rescue option
Rescue and Smart Assistant (LMSA)(Motorola/Lenovo Only)
Rescue and Smart Assistant LMSA: Lenovo's Motorola Smart Assistant (PC) For Lenovo and Motorola Devices Only Rescue and Smart Assistant (LMSA) is an official tool installs on PC. Can help to manage smart device (include all Lenovo android phone...
forum.xda-developers.com

---

Fun... I made my first brick using that panda build box link.

---

kbwojo said:
[Edited to clean up instructions]
I have the xt2117-4 version of the moto g power 2021 and the following worked for me to get root Using Magisk.
There is only one issue I had and this was because of Magisk. Some apps have issue's using fingerprint if Magisk is not set correctly. I will add the setting to fix fingerprint on apps at end. As always try at your own risk.
if you have a pin or security code remove it as touch screen for me did not work so had to manually type in twrp adb commands to backup boot and not knowing how to add security codes to twrp adb backup fails.
You need to have unlocked your bootloader and usb drivers from Motorola and phone in usb debug mode in developer options.
Now plug in usb cable to computer and phone
On the PC
Install adb (plenty of info on this and other sites how to do this). Then get moto g play twrp recovery image #1 from
BuildBox
mirror.theogpanda.workers.dev
Put it into adb folder on PC and rename it recovery.img
Start phone in bootloader mode by using power and volume down button
Once phone is in bootloader mode on pc at command prompt in adb directory run
fastboot boot recovery.img
this side loads it and does not replace your recovery.
Once twrp is fully loaded on your phone on the pc at command prompt in adb directory run
adb shell twrp backup B
this will back up boot.emmc.win to twrp directory on your phone and can be seen using a file explorer. The twrp folder is at the same levels as photos, alarms, etc
After backup is completed, hold down power button until phone reboots. I cannot remember if it boots to the phone or bootloader, at this point we want to boot to phone and allow usb file transfer.
Now use windows file explorer and copy boot.emmc.win to the pc and rename it boot.img and then put it in the adb directory. Reboot phone to bootloader again and in command prompt in adb directory run.
fastboot boot boot.img
this sideloads it and makes sure it boots right.
Put the phone to usb transfer mode again then copy boot.img to the download folder of the phone and install Magisk following method 2 from this guide
How to Install Magisk and Root Android Devices with it [2 Methods]
In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to install Magisk Universal Systemless Interface to root Android devices. There are two different methods to install it – First…
www.thecustomdroid.com
Once rooted and finding a app that finger prints do not work on you can hide Magisk from the app. In Magisk manager click on shield at bottom. Click on magisk hide grey bar and select only apps not working as I heard putting in to many can cause issues (cannot verify but why try) Now programs should work with fingerprint.
Don't forget to keep original boot.img incase you have to restore it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to root the xt2117-1 version without a pc?

---

Knox-jack said:
Is there a way to root the xt2117-1 version without a pc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No

---

Rooting these phones is dead simple. If you boot into bootloader mode, you can find your device's codename. Look for your codename on the lolinet site, select your varient, and download your firmware. Be sure to share the codename here so links can be updated.
Then you unlock your bootloader, patch boot.img you got from the firmware archive with Magisk, and flash the patched image through fastboot.

---

Seen any Roms for this floating around?

---

pontifier said:
Fun... I made my first brick using that panda build box link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you FLASH recovery.img, instead of BOOT recovery.img?
It's pretty hard to perma brick phones these days. You can probably reflash device with LMSA -
Rescue and Smart Assistant (LMSA)(Motorola/Lenovo Only)
Rescue and Smart Assistant LMSA: Lenovo's Motorola Smart Assistant (PC) For Lenovo and Motorola Devices Only Rescue and Smart Assistant (LMSA) is an official tool installs on PC. Can help to manage smart device (include all Lenovo android phone...
forum.xda-developers.com

---

kbwojo said:
[Edited to clean up instructions]
I have the xt2117-4 version of the moto g power 2021 and the following worked for me to get root Using Magisk.
There is only one issue I had and this was because of Magisk. Some apps have issue's using fingerprint if Magisk is not set correctly. I will add the setting to fix fingerprint on apps at end. As always try at your own risk.
if you have a pin or security code remove it as touch screen for me did not work so had to manually type in twrp adb commands to backup boot and not knowing how to add security codes to twrp adb backup fails.
You need to have unlocked your bootloader and usb drivers from Motorola and phone in usb debug mode in developer options.
Now plug in usb cable to computer and phone
On the PC
Install adb (plenty of info on this and other sites how to do this). Then get moto g play twrp recovery image #1 from
BuildBox
mirror.theogpanda.workers.dev
Put it into adb folder on PC and rename it recovery.img
Start phone in bootloader mode by using power and volume down button
Once phone is in bootloader mode on pc at command prompt in adb directory run
fastboot boot recovery.img
this side loads it and does not replace your recovery.
Once twrp is fully loaded on your phone on the pc at command prompt in adb directory run
adb shell twrp backup B
this will back up boot.emmc.win to twrp directory on your phone and can be seen using a file explorer. The twrp folder is at the same levels as photos, alarms, etc
After backup is completed, hold down power button until phone reboots. I cannot remember if it boots to the phone or bootloader, at this point we want to boot to phone and allow usb file transfer.
Now use windows file explorer and copy boot.emmc.win to the pc and rename it boot.img and then put it in the adb directory. Reboot phone to bootloader again and in command prompt in adb directory run.
fastboot boot boot.img
this sideloads it and makes sure it boots right.
Put the phone to usb transfer mode again then copy boot.img to the download folder of the phone and install Magisk following method 2 from this guide
How to Install Magisk and Root Android Devices with it [2 Methods]
In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to install Magisk Universal Systemless Interface to root Android devices. There are two different methods to install it – First…
www.thecustomdroid.com
Once rooted and finding a app that finger prints do not work on you can hide Magisk from the app. In Magisk manager click on shield at bottom. Click on magisk hide grey bar and select only apps not working as I heard putting in to many can cause issues (cannot verify but why try) Now programs should work with fingerprint.
Don't forget to keep original boot.img incase you have to restore it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried this method on a linux system and a windows version and yhe twrp program always goes to straight to a lockscreen and doesnt stay

---

kbwojo said:
[Edited to clean up instructions]
I have the xt2117-4 version of the moto g power 2021 and the following worked for me to get root Using Magisk.
There is only one issue I had and this was because of Magisk. Some apps have issue's using fingerprint if Magisk is not set correctly. I will add the setting to fix fingerprint on apps at end. As always try at your own risk.
if you have a pin or security code remove it as touch screen for me did not work so had to manually type in twrp adb commands to backup boot and not knowing how to add security codes to twrp adb backup fails.
You need to have unlocked your bootloader and usb drivers from Motorola and phone in usb debug mode in developer options.
Now plug in usb cable to computer and phone
On the PC
Install adb (plenty of info on this and other sites how to do this). Then get moto g play twrp recovery image #1 from
BuildBox
mirror.theogpanda.workers.dev
Put it into adb folder on PC and rename it recovery.img
Start phone in bootloader mode by using power and volume down button
Once phone is in bootloader mode on pc at command prompt in adb directory run
fastboot boot recovery.img
this side loads it and does not replace your recovery.
Once twrp is fully loaded on your phone on the pc at command prompt in adb directory run
adb shell twrp backup B
this will back up boot.emmc.win to twrp directory on your phone and can be seen using a file explorer. The twrp folder is at the same levels as photos, alarms, etc
After backup is completed, hold down power button until phone reboots. I cannot remember if it boots to the phone or bootloader, at this point we want to boot to phone and allow usb file transfer.
Now use windows file explorer and copy boot.emmc.win to the pc and rename it boot.img and then put it in the adb directory. Reboot phone to bootloader again and in command prompt in adb directory run.
fastboot boot boot.img
this sideloads it and makes sure it boots right.
Put the phone to usb transfer mode again then copy boot.img to the download folder of the phone and install Magisk following method 2 from this guide
How to Install Magisk and Root Android Devices with it [2 Methods]
In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to install Magisk Universal Systemless Interface to root Android devices. There are two different methods to install it – First…
www.thecustomdroid.com
Once rooted and finding a app that finger prints do not work on you can hide Magisk from the app. In Magisk manager click on shield at bottom. Click on magisk hide grey bar and select only apps not working as I heard putting in to many can cause issues (cannot verify but why try) Now programs should work with fingerprint.
Don't forget to keep original boot.img incase you have to restore it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello. I just got one of these on accident. Meant to get a G9 Power. Oh well. I will still love it. Having rooted countless phones and a great many Motos, I went to root mine without looking for instructions. I fastboot flashed the entire RETUS from lolinet, magisk patched and flashed the new kernel, and then booted to a phone without a working digitizer. Not only that, but when I flashed the original back on it, it didn't fix it. Still no digitizer. I then flashed the entire RETUS again, including the same kernel, and it fixed, but of course I had to set everything up again. I made a fastboot command list though, for flashing firmware from lolinet, if anyone could use it. It's on my computer though. I'll have to share it later. I just made this post to warn others of possible problems with a magisk-patched boot.img.
And also to thank @kbwojo . I've many times wished we could use twrp from a command line. Where did you learn that? Is there a manual?
Oh, BTW, the codename for xt2117-4 is borneo.

---

arkansawdave74 said:
Hello. I just got one of these on accident. Meant to get a G9 Power. Oh well. I will still love it. Having rooted countless phones and a great many Motos, I went to root mine without looking for instructions. I fastboot flashed the entire RETUS from lolinet, magisk patched and flashed the new kernel, and then booted to a phone without a working digitizer. Not only that, but when I flashed the original back on it, it didn't fix it. Still no digitizer. I then flashed the entire RETUS again, including the same kernel, and it fixed, but of course I had to set everything up again. I made a fastboot command list though, for flashing firmware from lolinet, if anyone could use it. It's on my computer though. I'll have to share it later. I just made this post to warn others of possible problems with a magisk-patched boot.img.
And also to thank @kbwojo . I've many times wished we could use twrp from a command line. Where did you learn that? Is there a manual?
Oh, BTW, the codename for xt2117-4 is borneo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did try a few things that didn't work. What I ended up doing was just flash boot the original boot.img and that basically reset magisk

---

Just giving an update and a thanks again to @kbwojo . I finally booted a patched kernel by patching a kernel extracted with twrp in the command line. All the kernels from lolinet caused me to lose touch support after patching, even if I was running the same version the kernel was from. But when I patched it after pulling the kernel with twrp, all is good. Whew. That was different.

---

Well i have done it. I have rooted my phone .
moto g power (2021)
model XT117-4
Android version 10
basebrand version : HA10_18.534.0273R BORNEO_NA_CUST
Kernel version 4.19.95-perf + #1 Wed Mar 31 12:08:54 CDT 2021
After extensive reading multiple threads i found one and followed the attemt using magisk and no twrp installed.
1st Magisk installed on phone
2nd Install magisk and then patch using the boot.img from a mirror site for Borneo
3rd (not sure yet) Install magisk and then patch file recovery.img (originaly TWRP 3.4 renamed)
renamed the 2 magisk files accordingly to boot and recovery
Fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
restarted phone directly back into fastboot mode
selected recovery option and started the phone
Sucessful Root!!!!

---

slickmojo said:
Well i have done it. I have rooted my phone .
moto g power (2021)
model XT117-4
Android version 10
basebrand version : HA10_18.534.0273R BORNEO_NA_CUST
Kernel version 4.19.95-perf + #1 Wed Mar 31 12:08:54 CDT 2021
After extensive reading multiple threads i found one and followed the attemt using magisk and no twrp installed.
1st Magisk installed on phone
2nd Install magisk and then patch using the boot.img from a mirror site for Borneo
3rd (not sure yet) Install magisk and then patch file recovery.img (originaly TWRP 3.4 renamed)
renamed the 2 magisk files accordingly to boot and recovery
Fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
restarted phone directly back into fastboot mode
selected recovery option and started the phone
Sucessful Root!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone confirm this works?
Just bought a G Power 2021 after thinking it was supported for custom roms already. It should just be arriving today and if i can't unlock the bootloader and root it I'm going to be returning it and getting the 2020, which I'm already considering even if i can be rooted.
Thank you

---

MyNameIsEarlB said:
Can anyone confirm this works?
Just bought a G Power 2021 after thinking it was supported for custom roms already. It should just be arriving today and if i can't unlock the bootloader and root it I'm going to be returning it and getting the 2020, which I'm already considering even if i can be rooted.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the 2021 can be rooted, that is what I use with root, and heavily modified UI. You can even change things so system is writable (but will need a computer with linux, or a VM to complete the process), after bootloader unlocked and rooted. But does not presently have any custom ROMs for the device, however some in this branch of the forums have cited they are working on one. If I had the time to, I'd tinker and try my hand at porting LineageOS, or similar fairly easy to port, since TWRP is mostly done or doable for 99% of these devices, there are some that still have touch issues, and that seems to be all digitizer and screen related like mentioned in this thread. As long as you restore yours from the Motorola software and grab your stock files, when they are restored, it has touch, you know you can always fix it back even if a test flash of TWRP has no touch. But then it is not that hard to build from those files the TWRP, even in Android Image Kitchen. I made mine have touch support the hackish way before the compiled way.
So it can absolutely be done, just play things smart with it is all keeping backups of vital files and so on so you have stock even with data loss as the worst that would happen from messing about.
Edit: You will need to keep the device online, wifi and cell data for at least a day if not two before bootloader unlock option in settings will usually permit being toggled on. I know in my experience I got mine on a Friday, and it was not till Sunday about mid-day that it popped, and I'd check it every few hours that I was awake otherwise in that time.

---

Onoitsu2 said:
the 2021 can be rooted, that is what I use with root, and heavily modified UI. You can even change things so system is writable (but will need a computer with linux, or a VM to complete the process), after bootloader unlocked and rooted. But does not presently have any custom ROMs for the device, however some in this branch of the forums have cited they are working on one. If I had the time to, I'd tinker and try my hand at porting LineageOS, or similar fairly easy to port, since TWRP is mostly done or doable for 99% of these devices, there are some that still have touch issues, and that seems to be all digitizer and screen related like mentioned in this thread. As long as you restore yours from the Motorola software and grab your stock files, when they are restored, it has touch, you know you can always fix it back even if a test flash of TWRP has no touch. But then it is not that hard to build from those files the TWRP, even in Android Image Kitchen. I made mine have touch support the hackish way before the compiled way.
So it can absolutely be done, just play things smart with it is all keeping backups of vital files and so on so you have stock even with data loss as the worst that would happen from messing about.
Edit: You will need to keep the device online, wifi and cell data for at least a day if not two before bootloader unlock option in settings will usually permit being toggled on. I know in my experience I got mine on a Friday, and it was not till Sunday about mid-day that it popped, and I'd check it every few hours that I was awake otherwise in that time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!
I'm perfectly happy with needing to make my own custom ROM. I've never done it, but I've been wanting to for quite some time. At least a few years.
The last 2 android phones I've been using couldn't even be rooted. Long story short, i bought a redmi 5, got it all setup great, then moved and the only service around my new area is Verizon so i sold that, bought a note 5, couldn't root it, bought a pinephone which i do love, but the battery life is really bad. So I've been using my note 5 that's close to a decade old so I'm just looking for a phone with root and a good battery life.
Look forward to getting mine rooted!

---

Quick question, hopefully doesn't derail too much. Wondering if there is any work being done on the XT2165-5 model? Can't seem to find anything on it?