Motorola Moto G8 Power

The codename of the Moto G8 Power is “sofiar.” The common model is XT2041-1. There is a model XT-2041-3 also.

Root

There are (2) different levels of 'root' for this device as well as many other modern Android phones. Of the two methods, the easiest if the soft root method otherwise known as the Systemless root method. Although it offers slightly less control, it is easier to implement and maintain. Here we cover the soft root method.

The bootloader is a little bit of code that tells your device's operating system how to boot up. Motorola has done the work to make sure your device has a fully optimized, certified and tested version of Android. If you are a developer, unlocking the bootloader will allow you to customize your device. See: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a/action/auth

The Moto G8 Power requires the acquisition of a special unlock code you can obtain directly from Motorola company (as of 2020). This is a simple process request requiring you register with an email address and provide a special data-string from your phone. Motorola quickly responds via an automated process by providing you the unlock code to your email address.

The root process is in multiple parts. Part 1 ends with you having to request a special Unlock Key from Motorola Company. This will delay you as you cannot start Part 2 until you have received said unlock key. Fortunately, the process is automated and the reply email with your unlock code arrives within minutes, maybe less.

Part 1: Set up communication between device and PC, query device, and request Unlock Key from Motorola for G8

1. Open Settings on your phone and go to About Phone. Tap 7 times on Build Number to enable Developer Options.
2. Now go to Settings > System -> Advanced -> Developer Options and enable OEM Unlocking and enable USB debugging
3. Reboot phone
4. Connect USB data cable from phone to PC.
5. From PC linux command line type 'lsusb' and verify that the phone device is connected
6. From PC linux command line type 'adb devices' and verify device is listed. If not, go below to section on how to add device to adb
7. Wait for Android phone to prompt with the question "Allow USB debugging from this computer?" Tap YES, Always
8. From PC linux command line type 'adb devices' and verify device is not still 'unauthorized' (see section on 'List of devices attached Unauthorized'
9. Turn off your phone. Then press & hold Volume Down + Power button together.
10. When the Fastboot screen appears, release both buttons. Once the phone boot into Fastboot mode, connect Moto G8 Power to Computer.
11. Run 'fastboot oem get_unlock_data' - Even though 'adb devices' will NOT show the device, you can now run 'fastboot oem get_unlock_data' on the linux console to get the unlock data.
12. Request your UNLOCK KEY from Motorola, see section below 'Request Unlock Key from Motorola'

• (Step 2 Expanded): Phone has to be connected to a network, wifi is sufficient, to enable OEM Ublocking

Part 2: Use Motorola email code to unlock bootloader

1. Check your email to obtain your unlock code from Motorola and power off your phone.
2. Press & hold Volume Down + Power button together to boot into Fastboot mode again.
3. Connect the USB cable.
4. From the Linux console on your PC type 'fastboot devices' and make sure your phone is listed/detected. (if device not listed you cannot continue)
5. Use the command 'fastboot oem unlock XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX' replacing the X's with the digits of your personal unlock code you got from Motorola in that email.
6. Wait for the message of success '(bootloader) Bootloader is unlocked!' (if unlock fails check digits of code or verify how you requested)
7. Now your device is unlocked and all set to root.

Part 3:

1. Download to your PC the Motorola firmware file 'SOFIAR_RETAIL_10_QPES30.79-124-2_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip' - you can search to find a reliable source (careful of trojans, use trusted source, that's on you)
2. Double check that the phone settings in Developer Options that both are still enabled: OEM Unlocking, USB debugging. Most of the time you have to re-enable developer mode like done in Part 1.

Linux adb and fastboot

Android Debug Bridge, aka ADB, is a tool that helps in sending basic Linux commands and a variety of Android Specific commands from PC to the connected Android devices.

In all, it is a versatile command line tool that allows you to communicate with a device.It is used to manage either an emulator instance or an actual Android device.

It is a part of the Android SDK and is made up of three components: A Client, a Daemon, and a server. It works when the device is powered on and booted into OS or Recovery.

FasttBoot is a tool that makes it possible for you to flash any partition on an Android device like system, recovery, Cache, boot, and other useful tasks.

With the help of this tool, you can flash the custom-built .img files via fastboot. It is a special diagnostic and engineering protocol that you can boot your Android device into.

While in Fastboot, you can modify the file system images from a computer over a USB connection. It also requires software from the Android SDK and different USB Drivers for Windows Computers.

Request Unlock Key from Motorola

You should have received an email with your Unlock Key. Inside the email is a unique 20-character alphanumeric code that you will use to unlock your device.