How to Root the Motorola Moto X (2014) on Android 5.0

Whenever a new software update arrives on an Android device, it breaks the root-access and leaves the users in the dark. But worry not if you have a Motorola Moto X (2014) with Android 5.0, as a root method has already hit the Internet and below you can find details how you can root your Moto X (2014) running Android 5.0 and get the most out of it. Here you go:

Rooting is the process of gaining administrative rights on your Android device.  Once we root our Android device, we can then make changes to it to customize it well beyond what it normally can do.

Once you have root access on your Motorola Moto X (2014), you’ll be able to:

• Remove apps that were preinstalled by your carrier/manufacturer from your device.
• Free up storage space (because of the above benefit).
• Increase battery life (apps that might have been running constantly can be removed).
• Increase performance (after removing apps that are always running, the device will be less bogged down and run smoother).
• Update to a new version of Android (by flashing a custom recovery/ROM, see the end of this procedure for more info on that).
• Tons of other customizations when you use your new found administrative rights to flash a custom ROM (again, see the end of this procedure for more info on that).

Interested? Here’s how to root your Motorola Moto X (2014):

I. Before You Begin

1. This’ll void the warranty of your device. We won’t be held responsible for the issues that may arise as the result of this procedure. Do it at your own risk.

2. This only works for the XT1097 variant of the device.

3. You should have Motorola USB drivers installed on your PC. If you don’t, get the latest drivers installed from here.

II. Downloading Required Files

1. Download CF-Root and save it to your desktop.

CF-Root

III. Rooting the Motorola Moto X (2014) on Android 5.0 Lollipop

1. Uncompress files from CF-Root over to your desktop by right-clicking on it and selecting Extract here.

2. Enable USB debugging on your device by heading to Menu > Settings > Developer options > USB debugging.

3. Turn OFF your device.

4. Reboot your device into bootloader mode by holding down Volume DOWN and Power buttons simultaneously.

5. Plug in your device to your PC via USB cable.

6. Launch CF-Root by double-clicking on root-windows.bat available on your desktop.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions for rooting your device.

8. When you’re rooted, head over to the Google Play store and download and install Busybox on your device.

9. You’re done!

Wonderful! Your Motorola Moto X (2014) running Android 5.0 is now rooted. It should now let you install your favorite root-only apps that previously didn’t work.

If you’re looking to flash a custom ROM on your device, you’ll first want to flash a custom recovery on your device. It’ll then allow you to flash custom ROMs, wipe data, wipe cache, and even make nandroid backups. If this sounds good to you, here’s how you can flash a custom recovery on your Moto X (2014):

IV. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Motorola Moto X (2014)

1. Head over to the Google Play store and download and install TWRP Manager on your device.

2. When the app’s downloaded, launch it from your app drawer.

3. Tap on Install TWRP.

4. Select your device from the list and tap on Install Recovery.

5. It should automatically download and flash the recovery for you.

6. You’re all done!

Excellent! The TWRP Recovery is now up and running on your 2014 variant of the Moto X. Go ahead and have some custom ROMs flashed on your device!

You can click here to find all of the Motorola Moto X (2014) How To’s.

You can also find all of the Motorola Moto X (2014) ROMs we have here.