Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Moto G (2013 non-LTE : Falcon) FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
Motorola Moto G



Read Before Asking Please

This a short list of frequently asked questions in this device forum and the answers often given as a response. It should serve as a starting point for gathering knowledge and finding solutions to many common problems.

 This post is a fork of my own FAQ thread available on XDA forums.

To Browse quickly the FAQ and find what you need, Ctrl+F is the key feature
You may search in Motorola help topics too
Table of content :
Refer to :

Q1: What are Moto G (Falcon) tech specs ?
The Motorola Moto G is named XT1032/XT1033/XT1034/XT1035/... aka Falcon

XT1028: Verizon US CDMA - 8GB/16GB
XT1031: Boost US CDMA - 8GB/16GB
XT1032: EU/Global GSM/GPe - 8GB/16GB. (GPe = Google Play edition) 
XT1033: Brazil - 8GB/16GB (Colors Edition) (Dual Sim) + Moto G (Music edition) (Dual Sim) (16GB Only)
XT1034: US GSM - 8GB/16GB. 
XT1035: Brazil - 8GB/16GB (Colors Edition) (Unconfirmed)

Moto G 4G/LTE aka peregrine : ==> /!\ Roms made for standard edition (non-4G) are not compatible with these devices!
XT1045: Moto 4G - 8GB 
XT1039: Moto 4G - 8GB UK/EU
XT1040: Moto 4G - 8GB Brazil
Complete specifications available in Mr hOaX Tips and Tricks thread

Q2: What is the .................................................. .................................................. ....?
[...]
Q3: Why doesn't the LED work ?
maybe you disabled LED on you older device (or it didn't even have one) setting up you google account disabled the LED on you new Motot G use Notification Light Widget From Motorola to fix this issue (more info)
Q4: How to access Fastboot?
Hold PowerButton and VolDown during boot.
Q5: How to unlock Bootloader?
Boot to Fastboot and follow this guide
or Motorola guide on Motorola's website
Q6: How do i get adb and fastboot drivers ?
For windows, follow this guide or this one
although, it seems Motorola Device Manager works ok for win7x86-32 (but not for win7x64-64?) i cannot answer this i'm under linux
other USB drivers if first method failed, source
For Linux, get fastboot files here also, adb and fastboot can be installed using repos for ubuntu-based distros packages needed are : android-tools-adb and android-tools-fastboot (android-tools-fsutils may be useful too)
eg:
Code:
sudo apt-get install android-tools-fastboot
Q7: How to flash Stock Firmware?
For windows, follow this guide or this video
The above is for non-4G devices, for Moto G 4G version refer to this thread
Q8: How to Root my device ?
Until now,you first need to unkock your bootloader,
Option 1 : then follow this guide [original thread - on MoDaCo]
Option 2 : via a customized recovery [original thread, on MoDaCo]
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulobrien 
The first method is recommended as it doesn't mess with the recovery. But the second is there as a backup. 
==> Option 1 seems not to work properly for some users, in that case : Try Both.
After you get root, please read Q19
Q9: Why dosen't my .apk get installed manually?

Until i get a better solution, here are some workaround :
  1. Check you've enabled Unknown sources (settings>security>unknown sources)

    If you did so, there are some workaround :
  2. At the phone first set-up (you may need to factory-reset to get that) - When Motorola assistant asks for data safety (just before the Google accounts question comes up), don't click accept, but tap on "data safety guidelines" and tick both settings to off. Then accept.
  3. Use adb :
    Code:
    adb install packagename.apk
  4. Use google drive to download the app (gdrive has an antivirus scanner that checks the app, since then it is considered as "safe" for the device and is correctly installed
  5. other workaround
Q10: Where can i find a Custom recovery ?
Q11: How to access bootloader?
- Via ADB :
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
- The hard(ware) way :
  1. With the phone powered off, press the VOL DOWN KEY for 2-3 seconds then POWER key then release.
  2. The device will display different BOOT OPTIONS
  3. Use the VOL DOWN Key to SCROLL to Recovery and VOL UP Key to select
Q12: How to access recovery?
  1. using terminal, if the device is already rooted
    Code:
    su
reboot recovery
  2. via adb
    Code:
    adb reboot recovery
  3. via bootloader
    boot to bootloader (see Q11) and select recovery (use Use the VOL DOWN Key to SCROLL to Recovery and VOL UP Key to select)
  4. via external app
Q13: How to force reboot my frozen device?
  • Press and hold the Power button for 10 - 20 seconds, the device will restart and go through the boot-up sequence [source]
  • (VOL DOWN hold + a quick tap on POWER should force reboot when in bootloader) [source]
Q14: How to charge my device and extend battery life?
Follow Motorola tips:
Q15: Does rooting/unlocking your phone invalidate its warranty? (In EU)
In short: No. Just the fact that you modified or changed the software of your device, is not a sufficient reason to void your statutory warranty. As long as you have bought the device as a consumer in the European Union.
[source]
Q16: What to do if my battery is fully discharged and not re-charging?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Motorola
If your battery is completely discharged, it may take several minutes for the device to begin charging. The battery needs to charge to a minimum voltage before the system can boot up, and this may take a few moments to achieve.
You may have experienced the 'sudden battery drop' : go to Q25 [source]
Also refer to Moto G will not power up (Q28)
Q17: OMG i really bricked my device... Any chance getting it back to life ?
If your device is apparently dead, and does not look like a phone when connected to PC, then have a look at this guideby @Boss442
Q18: How to flash Stock Radio (aka Baseband) / Kernel and why?
Flashing the latest Radio may help if you have problems with poor signal or wifi coverage. Flashing the SS (Single Sim) radio on a Dual Sim device may cause one or both Sims to stop working. Likewise, flashing the radio from a non-CDMA device to a CDMA one, is a very bad idea.

Flashing a newer / different Radio or Kernel may improve battery-life and general performance

ClockWorkMod Recovery or TWRP is required to flash these images.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2649763
Q19: Lost IMEI ? : How to backup / restore PDS partition and why?
On Motorola devices the 'pds' partition contains information specific to your machine: IMEI, MAC address, serial number, etc. This partition can be lost by accidental format or over time due to filesystem corruption. If you have made a backup, there is a good chance you can bring your handset back to life.

==> PDS backup will help to restore lost IMEI. It is a situation when the phone reports that the IMEI is unknown. ;This works like a vaccine, apply before having issue with IMEI, after it will be too late !

Instructions:
**Root Required**

Using ADB you can make a copy of the partition and move it to a safe place (Google Drive?):
adb shell
su
dd if=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/pds of=/sdcard/pds.img
To restore in the event of corruption or loss:
adb shell
su
dd if=/sdcard/pds.img of=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/pds
(assuming you've pushed pds.img to internal SDcard storage first)

If for some reason this doesn't work, maybe your IMEI isn't destroyed but only not "readable" by system (file system issue? misread cluster reading frame ? no idea), in that case you may read the following story : http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?p=52648789

Q20: How to disable/enable auto On/Off screen with Flip Shell?
  • for stock rom : (disabling, since it's enabled by default)
  • for CM11: (enabling, since it doesn't work by default)
Follow this FAQ
Q21: how to remove the 'unlocked warning' message?
Follow @ffosilva method and default Motorola logo will be back 
Q22: Why and How convert Moto G GPe to non-GPe ?
GPe uses EXT4 for it's 'userdata' filesystem, non-GPe uses f2fs. The GPe kernel expects an EXT4 partition and gives an encryption error if there isn't one. So just flashing a custom ROM won't work on GPe.
Converting a GPe MOTO G to a non-GPe Moto G:
(we would need someone to approve this method, and if you made it a different way, please, tell us)
1) Fastboot flash retail US XT1032 stock firmware found here:
http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=14
2) This will wipe the device, replace GPe kernel and radio with stock non-GPe versions and create a new partition table with f2fs filesystem for 'userdata.'

3) Custom ROMs will now work and as will all Motorola Moto G apps.

Q23: How to reboot into 'safe mode'?

Press power button, on the pop up, either keep pressing 'shut down' [stock] or 'reboot' [AOSP based]
more infos about this feature
Q24: How to keep backups on my 8GB device without loosing space?

To backup :
  • Use a micro USB-OTG adapter and a USB-storage
  • boot to recovery
  • go to backup and storage > backup to /storage/usbdisk
  • wait (it is really slower than when done to /sdcard ==> especially when generating md5sum!)
  • reboot your system
To restore your backup :
  • Use a micro USB-OTG adapter and the USB-storage where the backup is located
  • boot to recovery
  • go to backup and storage > restore from /storage/usbdisk
  • wait (it is really slower than when done to /sdcard)
  • reboot your system

Enjoy !
You now have a way to keep all your backups, without over flooding your device's storage ! (make sure you won't loose the external storage and keep it safe!)
Q25: Abrupt Drop Battery Issue (Battery suddenly drops to 0%)

Description: This issue appears to affect all versions of Moto G; while some people never experience it, others have it frequently. Most likely to occur when tethering / using USB cable. Android versions 4.3 and 4.4.2 are vulnerable.

Solution: Issue fixed in Android 4.4.3.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirk Stromberg
If anyone else experiences this abrupt drop on your Moto G *after* updating to 4.4.3, we'll need your serial number/IMEI for further investigation and may need to be in more direct contact. Please send an email to:

supportforums@motorola.com

- with the title "Abrupt Drop" and
-include your serial number (Settings>About Phone>Status) and
- note to please forward to me (Kirk Stromberg).

We'll obviously keep working this here in the forums as well but want to isolate anyone still having this on 4.4.3, especially if it is repeats with some frequency. I know it is reproducible fairly reliably for some of you (tethering/USB cable).
https://forums.motorola.com/comment/785885
Q26: Isssues with MMS on boost mobile with Moto G ?

Apply the following changes :
apns-config.xml
Code:
<apn carrier="Boost Mobile" mcc="311" mnc="870" apn="n.boost.ispsn"
mmsproxy="68.28.31.7" mmsport="80" mmsc="http://mm.myboostmobile.com"
type="default,supl,mms,fota,dun" carrier_enabled="false" protocol="IPV4V6"
roaming_protocol="IPV4V6" bearer="13" />
build.prop
Code:
ro.cdma.home.operator.numeric=311870
ro.cdma.home.operator.alpha=Boost Mobile
ro.telephony.default_network=13
telephony.slteOnCdmaDevice=1
get more here
Q27: Miracast / TV Screen-mirroring / DNLA app not working?

Description: Android 4.4.2 added a 'Settings > Display > Cast screen' (Miracast) option, but it does not function - missing settings menu.

Solution: (Root Required)
This feature now works correctly with Android 4.4.3. However, you still need to enable the 'Cast screen' settings menu by adding the following line (if not already present) to /system/build.prop:
persist.debug.wfd.enable=1
For quick access to the feature, install: Miracast Widget.

Additionally, 4.4.3 improves compatibility with Allcast and BubbleUPnP, along with other DNLA apps that did not operate correctly in 4.4.2

Simultaneous Internet connection and Screen-mirroring is not possible in Stock Motorola Firmware 4.4.3 or 4.4.4. This may change with a future update or with the release of Android 'L.' Most Custom ROMs do however support this ability.

The utility SecondScreen (root required) allows Moto G's screen resolution to be easily changed when Screen-mirroring - e.g. 720p or 1080p. The app has several additional features such as turning the phone's screen off and disabling haptic feedback in order to save battery usage while Screen-mirroring.
Q28: Moto G will not power up (addition to Q16 and Q25)
  1. Plug it into the charger
  2. Hold the VOL DOWN key
  3. While still holding the VOL DOWN key, press and hold the POWER key
  4. Hold both keys down for over 120 seconds. This is more than two minutes and will seem like a long time. You might want to time yourself to make sure you hold it longer than two minutes.
  5. After holding the keys down for more than two minutes, release them.
  6. The Flash Boot screen will display, and the Normal Reboot option will be highlighted
  7. Press the VOL UP key and the device will start a normal reboot.

If you have tried the above and it didn't work, try this:
  • Plug in the phone for 15 minutes.
  • Proceed to Step 2 above.
Source: https://forums.motorola.com/posts/3d5eadc25d
Q29: 4.4.3 / 4.4.4 update issues
If after getting the update to 4.4.3 / 4.4.4 you encounter some problem, there are several options:

App-specific issues: Some apps may simply not be compatible with the latest version of Android and you have to wait until they are. You could always mention it to the App developer via Google Play.

Anything else: Could be solved be doing a Factory reset: (Back up anything important!)
Setting > Backup & reset > Factory data reset (erase all data on phone)
The best and cleanest way to get to 4.4.4 from a previous version of Android; is to Fastboot flash a Motorola Stock Factory Firmware Image. This can avoid any potential issues that may arise when upgrading via an Over the Air (OTA) update. Also see: "Q7: How to flash Stock Firmware?" in this FAQ.

Stock Factory Firmware Images are available here:
http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=14
When new images are available they are announced here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2546251
Q30: i encounter '(bootloader) Preflash validation failed' error message when flashing Firmware Image
You may have updated to Android 4.4.4 via firmware image or OTA update. In this case you now also have the latest version of the Bootloader. That is why you get the above output when attempting to flash a 4.4.2 firmware image. ==> simply flash 4.4.4 images instead.
If the error still occurs, even with a 4.4.4 firmware image, then unlocking bootloader will be necessary.
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