[Droid Ultra General] kitcostantino:
Well, a few things. First off, if you are on android 4.4.4, there is no unlock for your bootloader. Next, there is a "free" rooting method, but based on what you have said thus far, I am going to go ahead and recommend against it. Motorola absolutely *SHOULD* provide bootloader unlock codes for any user not on contract, that wants one. The reason they do not is their agreement with Verizon Wireless stating specifically that they will not give unlock codes for Verizon devices that are not Developer Editions. Motorola phones that are supported are hard to come by, especially if you are a Verizon customer.

Personally, if your Mini is in good shape, (no scratches, dings, etc) i would sell it and hunt out another Mini or a Maxx on 4.4 on Ebay. (i have now done this successfully with a Mini and a Maxx) then you can (yeah, i know you don't like this part) pay $25 to get Sunshine to unlock the bootloader. Maybe that sounds like a lot of $$ for what it is. What i can say is a Dev edition of the Maxx (i know, i had a real one) is about $680 new. The retail version of the same phone was $550 or so. Even buying the phone from Motorola, you still paid more for Bootloader Unlock. I am old enough in the Android community to remember guys like Dan Rosenburg that never asked for $$, (or if you were insistant on paying, he asked you make a donation to charity), and also rooted every other device I have owned before the Mini for free. That used to be how it worked. Now, the only people interested are professionals who are literally spending time and money to find and utilize exploits. If you are really new, you should read up on security vulnerabilities, the qfuse system, and read up on the Azimuth Security blog and see what exactly was involved in the last run of bootloader unlocks. it isn't just someone playing code monkey and making a script. it is bricking (sometimes beyond all repair) $300-600 devices in an effort to make an unlock that might yield the money invested back.

As you said, and I live at the moment, you do not have money. This, my friend, sucks. I can say that in order to invest in my android devices, i have sold other things i cared about less (rare vinyls, extra devices, etc.) The reality is, $25 is not very hard to come up with if you are determined. Principally, at first glance, i disagreed with the premise of paying for what i feel should be an inherent feature of any android device, but when Motorola themselves say nothing will change the policy, I would much rather pay the money and know i am unlocked. google #unlockthedroids and you will see my names (kitcostantino, medicbeard, etc) a time or two...believe me i have tried. Motorola sells a crapload of devices to Verizon. Unfortunately, that means that Verizon (and also ATT) have too much clout and control over the Moto devices they sell for use on their networks.

The reality is, in the forseeable future, there will be less and less opportunity to unlock a retail device that is not a developer or pure edition. Security software checks and hardware gets better and better. the Devs that get through have a harder and harder time, and the knowledge is becoming more and more specific. I actually messaged DjrBliss on Hangouts to ask if he had any plans to work on the Turbo bl and he told me it was a stressful part of his life he was glad to be past. Honestly, he was so completely nice and cool about a total stranger contacting him, it blew me away. One of the most amazing exploit creators with ZERO pretentiousness, totally chill, and glad to talk to a fan (i have used his exploits on many of my phones). With dudes that capable not wanting to invest their time and efforts, we are left with mostly security experts to find our unlocks.(who can potentially make a crapload of money with their time and skillsets). Is $25 a lot compared to what these guys could be making? nope. but in all honesty, as I am inclined to do myself, I suggest you read up on anything Motorola related with regard to Qfuse, security checks, etc. The new age of exploits is upon us. The end user is going to have to be far more intelligent and far more comfortable doing things themselves to have control over their devices. In a way, it is a good thing because users that cannot do anything without a one-click or an app will be weeded out. In another way, it is horrible for android development, because those that do not have time, nor money to invest will get lost in the shuffle if they cannot buy a dev or unlockable device. I wish you the best man.