[Moto E5 Guides, News, & Discussion] vetkak:
Hello XDA,

Last few days I was trying to get my Moto E5 XT1944-2 rooted but I got stuck at the TWRP step because "twrp_james.img" touchscreen input doesn't work on the "Moto E5 XT1944-2".

Today I found a solution for my problem and was able to root my phone. The instruction should work for all Moto E5 models but I can not verify this.

Because I felt the other root tutorials were incomplete or had broken links to files needed for rooting I created yet another rooting tutorial for the Moto E5.

I wanted to share this knowledge because it took me way to much time to root this phone. (if the info was use full to you, say thanks).

Hardware needed:

Moto E5 XT1944-2 (Or other variant, But I haven't tested the other variants)

Micro USB OTG adapter (get it at Aliexpress, ebay for $0,40)

USB mouse

Micro USB cable

Windows PC (I'm Using windows 10)

USB flash drive or Micro Sd card

Software needed:

Twrp for the Moto E5 (not fully functional on the XT1944-2) https://xdaforums.com/moto-e5/development/recovery-twrp-moto-e-5-play-james-t3796323

Magisk-Vxx.zip (I used V18.0 but the latest version should also work) https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases

MagiskManager-vx.x.x.apk (I used V6.1.0 but the latest version should also work) https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases

Adb + fastboot https://www.xda-developers.com/install-adb-windows-macos-linux/

[optional] Adaway, because I don't like ads (Click on "Download APK" do not install f-droid) https://f-droid.org/packages/org.adaway/

[optional] MiXplorer, because the build in filemager sucks https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/com.mixplorer

[optional] Youtube vanced, because youtube ads suck and background playing music is great (Download from within magisk manager on your phone)

Extract the ADB & fastboot zip downloaded

Inside this folder are command line controlled programs called "adb.exe" and "fastboot.exe"

Pic1

Configure the phone:

Remove phone password and bootpin: Setting->security->screenlock

Activate developer settings: Tap build number 7 time

Activate USB debugging

Enable OEM unlocking:

Unlock bootloader Follow instructions from motorola website.

https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a

Check if drivers for adb and fastboot are installed and working correctly:

Open a cmd prompt or a powershell and go to the location of the "adb.exe" file on your PC.

Using the "cd" command [cd <filepath>] (Tip add quotes surround the file path when spaces are present in the path)

example: cd "C:\Users\KLIJN\Desktop\_MOTOe5_XT1944-2\platform-tools"

Pic2

Connect your phone to your pc.

While the phone is booted normally and "USB debugging" is activated on the phone. Type "adb devices" inside the command prompt (or power shell)

Pic3

You should see your device listed after running this command (your pc needs to be authorized on the phone when a popup is asking for this)

Reboot to the bootloader:

Type "adb reboot bootloader"

Pic4

Test fastboot:

Type "fastboot devices" (only works when the phone is booted inside the bootloader)

Your device should be listed if everything is working correctly

Pic5

Boot TWRP

Note this will not install TWRP, the original bootloader stays intact (Why should you flash a twrp image if it's not working 100%)

Copy "twrp_james.img" to the same directory as adb.exe & fastboot.exe

Type: "fastboot boot twrp_james.img

Now your phone will boot into "twrp_james.img"

Pic6

Connect a mouse to your phone

using a OTG adapter if twrp is not reponding to touch (I have this problem Moto E5 XT1944-2)

Select cancel when asked for decrypt password.

(somehow no password are working for me, I don't know why I changed the screen and boot pin multiple times, but twrp is unable to decrypt the data partition)

Pic7

TWRP:Swipe to allow modifications

pic8

Wipe data partition (Because decryption doesn't work), Note this will erase all user data:

Wipe->advanced wipe

Check the box before data:

Pic9

Optional check if data partition is mounted:

Go to mount and check if "data" is checked

Strongly recommended: Create a full backup of your phone

Select backup from the twrp home screen and select all partitions bigger as 0MB for the backup.

You will need a usb drive or a sdcard connected to your phone to store the backup. When making a backup make sure to select all patitions (System partition is important)

Store the backup on your pc or elsewhere.

Remove OTG adapter and connect phone to pc:

Check if device is detected using "adb devices"

Copy magisk files to phone for rooting the phone:

Connect your phone to your pc while its still booted inside twrp.

Type: adb push <sourcepath pc> <destinationpath phone>, to copy the magisk files to your phone.

Example "adb push "C:\Users\KLIJN\Desktop\_MOTOe5 XT1944-2\Magisk-v18.0.zip" /data/media/"

Make sure to change the path to your magisk file location on your pc

Pic10

Connect mouse to your phone so you can control twrp again:

Inside twrp select install and go to the <destinationpath phone> path you copied the magisk installer zip to.

Inside twrp select "Install" and go to the magisk file.

Pic11

After the installation Wipe dalvik cache.

Next select Reboot system. (reboot your phone to system)

While booting you will first see a black screen with the text "N/A" or "bad key" in the topleft corner. (this is an idication that the bootloader is unlocked)

Next you will see the message "Your phone is being encrypted" or something like that

When fully booted follow the setup instructions.

Install magisk manager:

Copy to phone and open apk on the phone and install

Or

Activate USB debugging again, and install using adb:

Type: adb install "C:\Users\KLIJN\Desktop\_MOTOe5 XT1944-2\MagiskManager-v6.1.0.apk"

Change path to your path, if the path contains spaces quotes need to be added around the path (As I did)

#Your phone is now rooted!!!

Optional block adds using adaway and youtube vanced;

Optional change irritating boot animation "hello moto" by downloading https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.apps.boot.animations&hl=nl

Its also posible to disable just the boot animation sound. Go to setting->sound->advanced and disable power sounds.

PS: I don't know how to embed the attached images in the text.