Unlock bootloader, Install TWRP Recovery, and Root Motorola One Action
In this tutorial, we will show you the steps to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP, and root Motorola One Action. This OEM has quite a decent set of...
Syed Sadique Hassan
Last updated on November 26, 2022
Syed Sadique Hassan
Author
Did his MBA from Delhi but then something about the Android ecosystem intrigued him so much that he made Tech Blogging his permanent job. And now there's no looking back.
In this tutorial, we will show you the steps to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP, and root Motorola One Action. This OEM has quite a decent set of smartphones lined up in its Android One domain. One Action (codenamed troika) is part of this ever-expanding family. As a result, you are guaranteed a clean stock Android experience. But that’s just the beginning. Part of the open-source ecosystem, this OS allows you to carry out a plethora of tweaks on your device.
From unlocking the device’s bootloader to flashing custom recovery like TWRP, the possibilities are endless. Along the same lines, you could also gain administrative rights by rooting your device via Magisk. This would then allow you to flash tons of mods, tweaks, Substratum Themes, etc. And in this guide, we will help you with just that. So here are the required instructions to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP, and root Motorola One Action.
Advantages and Risks with Unlocking Bootloader | Root
Once you have unlocked the device bootloader, you could then easily flash custom ROMs, custom recoveries like TWRP and carry out a plentitude of other modifications. Along the same lines, installing the TWRP Recovery in itself beholds a plethora of useful functionalities like taking a Nandroid backup, flashing ZIPs and IMG files, etc. Then if we talk about root, it gives you access to the system partition. With SuperUser access, there is no limit to the extent of customizations.
However, all these have a few downsides as well. To begin with, unlocking the bootloader might make the device’s warranty null and void. Likewise, apps like Google Pay, Netflix, and Pokemon Go might not function as expected. The process also calls for wiping the data partition and this would erase all the data from your device. Furthermore, if not performed correctly, then these tweaks might result in a boot-looped or even worse, a bricked device.
Unlock Bootloader, Install TWRP Recovery, and Root Motorola One Action
Let’s now begin with the steps to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP, and root Motorola One Action. To begin with, there are a few prerequisites that your device needs to quality. Make sure you checkmark all these requirements before proceeding ahead with the instructions.
Prerequisites
First and foremost, create a complete device backup. This is because carrying out the below steps will wipe off all the data on your device.
Next up, enable USB Debugging on your device. Head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
Download the TWRP Recovery for Motorola One Action (codenamed troika): TWRP test build
There is also an official TWRP build present for this device. However, the developer has carried out the steps using the above test TWRP Recovery only. And since this is a tried and tested recovery, we would be executing the steps using the test recovery itself.
Next up, you also have to download the latest Magisk ZIP file to root your device.
Credits for the TWRP Test build goes to XDA Recognized Developers @Stricted and @deadman96385. We would like to thank XDA senior member tys0n for the vbmeta patch and DM Verity files. With that said, you may now proceed ahead with the steps to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP, and root Motorola One Action.
STEP 1: Unlock Bootloader on Motorola One Action
To begin with, you will have to unlock the bootloader on your One Action device. Moto devices follow a slightly different path when it comes to the aforementioned task. They require you to get hold of the Unlock Data as well as the Unlock key. Therefore, we recommend you follow our detailed guide on How To Unlock Bootloader On Any Moto Smartphone
STEP 2: Install TWRP Recovery
Once you have unlocked the bootloader, transfer the TWRP Test build as well as the vbmeta_patch.img file to the platform-tools folder. This is the same folder where you have installed the Android SDK. Then transfer one copy of the TWRP Test build as well as the Magisk ZIP file to your device internal storage. We would also recommend that you rename the recovery file to twrp, hence the complete name will be twrp.img.
Now connect your device to PC via USB cable. Make sure USB debugging is enabled.
Head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
Execute the below command to boot your device to Fastboot mode:
adb reboot bootloader
Once your device boots to Fastboot mode, execute the following command to flash the vbmeta_patch file:
fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta_patch.img
After this, it’s now time to boot your Motorola One Action to TWRP recovery. Make sure that the recovery is placed inside the platform-tools folder and is renamed to twrp. Then type in the below command:
fastboot boot twrp.img
Once booted to TWRP, go to Wipe and tap on Format Data.
Then type in YES in the space provided and tap on the tickmark situated at the bottom right.
Till now we have only temporarily installed the recovery. Let’s now permanently install it onto your device. For that, make sure you have transferred the twrp.img file to your device as well, as instructed earlier.
Since your device is booted to TWRP, go to Advanced and tap on the Install Recovery Ramdisk option.
Then navigate to twrp.img file and select it. This will then extract the TWRP ramdisk and install it to your boot.img.
Once that is done, again go to Advanced and this time, tap on Fix Recovery Bootloop.
With this, you have successfully installed the TWRP Recovery on your Motorola One Action, its now time to root it via Magisk.
STEP 3: Root Motorola One Action
From the TWRP main menu, go to the Install section.
Select the Magisk ZIP file and perform a right swipe to flash it.
Once this is done, again go to the Install section.
This time select the Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip file. Perform a right swipe to flash this file as well.
That’s it. You may now reboot your device to the OS. For that, go to Reboot and tap on System.
With this, we conclude the guide on how to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP, and root Motorola One Action. Do keep in mind that the first boot after unlocking your device would take up some time. Likewise, you will also have to set it up from scratch as your device has been wiped. If you have any other queries, do let us know in the comments section. Rounding off, here are some iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Trick that you should check out as well.
i got the message: “size of image is larger than target device” when I try to install test.3 permanent. How to solve that? Bennie