[Moto X General] KidJoe:
This thread is to help people figure out what root method is for them and where to go to find out how.

Please simply direct members to this thread or the individual threads for each method.....there's no need to repeat this stuff in thread after thread. A quick link and good luck message keeps XDA clean.

Please send a thanks (with that little thanks button thingy) to these dedicated members who worked hard at these guides and methods.

***A WORD of WARNING!!!*** No matter the model, dev edition....locked bootloader, unlocked bootloader.... Doesn't matter....NO MOTO X can be safely downgraded from 4.4.2 or higher. Not without GREAT risk. (4.4 can be downgraded to 4.2.2 POST camera update for SlapmyMoto root method...but NOT to 4.2.2 PRE camera update.....that will equal a guaranteed brick.) Got it? Good!

Further, due to security features of the phone, the parts which past root/disable write-protection processes exploit, will fail to downgrade, so for those with locked bootloaders you couldn't use the processes for previous versions anyway.

Unlocked Bootloaders

(Any Android Version)

Note: See Post 70 for Bootloader Unlocking info.

So, you got a Dev Edition or another model that can have its bootloader unlocked.....awesome! You got it made! Doesn't matter what Android version you're on, the procedure is the same.

Too root, see this awesome GUIDE . There's a section on "How to Unlock your Bootloader.". And a section on "Rooting Unlocked Bootloader." OR after you unlock your bootloader you may root by following -> http://xdaforums.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/instructions-unlocking-rooting-dev-ed-t2649738 Please be sure to use the latest TWRP fastboot IMG file and Installable ZIP of SuperSU

Easy! Done!

Don't know if your bootloader can be unlocked? See Post 70

Locked Bootloaders on 4.4 or lower ONLY

(At&T, Verizon and Republic Wireless...and those who just don't want to unlock their bootloader, due to warranty or whatever.)

Now it gets tricky!!!

For devices still on 4.4 or lower you can root AND disable write protection! Awesome!! But....to stay this way...you can never upgrade your android version past 4.4. As it stands today anyway.

Again, see this great GUIDE and read the section on "Rooting Locked Bootloader.". This is quite involved and takes some work. Read read read....and proceed carefully.

(Thanks to [MENTION=2376614]jcase[/MENTION] for creating the methods used to achieve this. ��)

If you're already on 4.4.2 or higher....sorry, this will NOT work for you. And no, you can't downgrade from 4.4.2.... Not without great risk!!! Whoever says otherwise....is just plain wrong.

If you have a LOCKED Bootloader and are on 4.4.2 or lower,

You could try JCASE's SUNSHINE tool. It will check if your phone is compatible first, if it is and you want to proceed, you will be charged about $25 USD. If it works on your phone it will Unlock the bootloader without destroying data and without needing a code from Moto or the former China Middleman option. For more, please see -> http://xdaforums.com/moto-x/general/request-help-exploit-moto-x-bl-t2828471 and/or -> http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2792487 Once your bootloader is unlocked via Sunshine, you then root the same way developer edition or other unlocked bootloader users root (flash TWRP, boot into it, and let it root, or flash SUperSU).

Locked Bootloaders on 4.4.3 and 4.4.2

(Tho, for 4.4 or lower, the method above will give you write protection disabled....a big plus!!)

Well, you can achieve root, but unfortunately, write protection will still be enabled. Meaning...no writing to the system partition, and any changes you make, root wise, will reset after a power down or hard reboot. So some root apps will work fine....and some may not.

This app by [MENTION=4850320]iKrYpToNiTe[/MENTION] combines towelroot with pie and is very simple to use. Works up to Android 4.4.3 Check out this thread for his TowelPieRoot for the Moto X app!

Locked bootloaders on Android 4.4.4

Unfortunately, there is no root method for you guys as of today. And again....no....you can't downgrade. Not without significant risk., and even if you could downgrade, due to security features of the phone, the parts which past root/disable write-protection processes exploit, will fail to downgrade, so you can't use those old processes anyway.

Update: There is a VERY RISKY method to root for Verizon and ATT 4.4.4 users that have a LOCKED bootloader. See -> Moto X Root AT&T/VZW [KXA21.12-L1.26] You are required to be on a particular firmware level, it does NOT disable write protection, it only roots. It is risky because it intentionally soft bricks the phone back to the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader mode.

Locked bootloaders on Android 5.1

Again....no....you can't downgrade. Not without significant risk.

There is a VERY RISKY method to root for Verizon and ATT 5.1 users that have a LOCKED bootloader. See -> Root for Moto X ATT XT1058 5.1 [LPA23.12-21.1] You are required to be on a particular firmware level, it does NOT disable write protection, it only roots. It is risky because it intentionally soft bricks the phone back to the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader mode.

There is no option yet for other models with Locked bootloader, like Verizon or Republic Wireless, because as of this edit, 5.1 has not been released for for them.

I'd like to list all the threads I linked and credit the members who created these great guides.

For lots of Moto X info and help, there's this great Guide by [MENTION=1872802]dray_jr[/MENTION]

[REF]The Complete Moto X Guides/Information Thread

[MENTION=4850320]iKrYpToNiTe[/MENTION]s app TowelPieRoot for the Moto X automates the towelroot/pie setup.

A great outside link here by [MENTION=1165307]KidJoe[/MENTION] , the Motorola Moto X How To page (The only outside link here......cause it's really good!)

And let's not forget my friend [MENTION=3639717]Perseus71[/MENTION] for this great Moto X resource thread!!! [INDEX][REF][GUIDE][TUTORIAL][RESOURCE] Welcome to your Motorola Moto X - Resource

And a special thanks to our Moto X support Gurus. These guys bust their humps helping the Moto X community and can help with almost any issue!! Just post an issue anywhere in the Moto X section and they are sure to show up!

[MENTION=2509024]samwathegreat[/MENTION] and [MENTION=1165307]KidJoe[/MENTION]

If these guys tell you something....I can assure you its very solid advice!

I hope this clears up the confusion with rooting your Moto X. Follow the links based on your situation.... And read, read and read again....then do!!!

You can ask questions here if you wish and hopefully the community can assist you....but you would probably be better served asking in the links to your root method. ;)

Happy Rooting!!