[Moto G Power Guides, News, & Discussion] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Motorola Moto G Power (2022)

XT2165-5 US Retail Variant

Codename: Tonga

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Rooting Guide​

OVERVIEW:

This guide outlines simple step-by-step instructions for rooting the Moto G Power (2022). To alleviate some of the legwork, and to cater this guide to new and inexperienced members, I have provided boot images pre-patched for the Magisk v26.1 systemless root solution. In addition, for those members who prefer the Android 11 stock ROM over Android 12, I am providing patched boot images for both the Android 11 and Android 12 firmware builds. (It has been reported that upgrading to Android 12 breaks Widevine L1 and reverts to Widevine security level L3.)

When downloading a patched boot image per the below instructions, be sure to choose the boot image that corresponds with both your installed Android version and firmware build number.

COMPATIBILITY:

The supplied Magisk patched boot images in the downloads section below are from both the Android 11 and Android 12 based firmware builds for the XT2165-5 US Retail Tonga variant. In theory, these boot images may work on rooting other variants as well, but I have only tested them on the referenced retail variant. To ensure compatibility, unless you are rooting this particular retail variant, procure the boot image from your variant and firmware build. Tonga official firmware for all carrier models and variants is available from the Lolinet repo here Tonga Official Firmware: Lolinet Repo

All firmware images hosted for the Tonga in this repo are official Motorola builds, originating from Motorola's software support servers.​

PREREQUISITES:

In order to root your Moto G Power (2022), you will need an unlocked bootloader and a Windows PC or laptop with the ADB & fastboot tools installed. I have included a link in the downloads section below for the latest Minimal ADB & Fastboot tools for Windows. This procedure can be carried out on a Mac or Linux setup as well; however, for purposes of this guide, I will focus on a Windows setup. Windows 7/8.1/10/11 will suffice. You will also need the factory supplied, or a quality equivalent USB-A to USB-C syncing/charging cable.

If you have not yet unlocked your bootloader, head on over to this tutorial and do so.

Motorola Bootloader Unlocking Tutorial

Please be sure and thank XDA Recognized Contributor @sd_shadow for his comprehensive and easy-to-follow tutorial on bootloader unlocking Motorola mobile devices. It is, hands down, the most thorough and detailed guide on this procedure, and is highly recommended to those members who are unfamiliar with the topic.

Keep in mind that not all carrier variants of the Tonga are supported for bootloader unlocking. For example, if you own the Verizon, AT&T or TracFone branded Moto G Power (2022), among some other carrier variants, your bootloader is not officially supported for unlocking and, as such, rooting may not be an option. However, it should be noted that most MediaTek chipset models can be exploited by a reverse engineering tool called MTK Client which, among many other things, can force the bootloader into an unlocked state. Whether the MTK Client exploit can be used on any of these locked down Tonga models & variants is unknown to me. It would, perhaps, be worth researching more if you own one of these locked down carrier branded models.

The tutorial link I provided above will help you make the determination as to whether your variant is officially supported for unlocking. If you own a Retail variant, your bootloader can be unlocked via Motorola's official support portal. Again, the link I posted above will guide you in this regard. Simply return here once you have successfully unlocked your bootloader.​

ANDROID VERSIONS & FIRMWARE BUILDS

The boot images provided in the downloads section below have been patched with Magisk v26.1 for systemless root support. The Android 11 boot image corresponds with the last official firmware released prior to the Android 12 update rollout. The patched boot image for Android 12 corresponds with the latest firmware build available for the Tonga at the time of posting. Specifically,​

The Android 11 boot Image corresponds with firmware build no. RRQS31.03-68-153-2​

The Android 12 boot image corresponds with firmware build no. S3RQ32.20-42-10-9-6​

To prevent boot loops, bugs and potential issues with compatibility, flash only a patched boot image that matches the firmware version presently installed on your Tonga. Hence, if your installed firmware build version differs from the version of the patched boot image referenced above, it is highly advised that you obtain a stock boot image that corresponds with your firmware version, patch the image with the latest Magisk app, then flash it to your Tonga via the fastboot commands outlined below.
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DISCLAIMER:

Rooting an Android-based mobile device is a task that encompasses inherent risks. Failure to follow the instructions as written, for example, could result in your device being rendered inoperable, stuck in a boot loop, etc. Rooting will also void any active Motorola warranty you may have on your smartphone. (However, as set forth on the Motorola support portal, your warranty is void once you complete the bootloader unlocking procedure.)

By proceeding further, you are assuming full responsibility and sole liability for the integrity and operability of your Moto G Power (2022). I am hereby absolved of any responsibility or civil liability in the event something goes wrong. Follow the instructions carefully, employ some patience, and things should go smoothly. I encourage members to read this guide in its entirety PRIOR to actually starting the steps.​

INSTRUCTIONS:

Download the Minimal ADB & Fastboot tools from the link below and install it on your Windows PC or laptop. Next, open Windows File Explorer, open This PC and double click on your C: drive. Locate and open the Program Files x86 folder, then locate the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder. Copy the folder and paste it to your desktop. (Copying the folder to your desktop is not mandatory, but is recommended. This configures your ADB & Fastboot directory to a more convenient location from which to work.);​

Download the Motorola Device Manager software from the link below, in accordance with your Windows OS architecture (32 or 64 bit), and install it on your PC or laptop. This software installs the most current USB device drivers for your Moto device;​

Download the patched boot image below that corresponds with the Android OS & firmware build version currently running on your device. Save the image inside the ADB & Fastboot directory on your PC or laptop;​

Boot your device into AP Fastboot Mode by first powering off your smartphone and then pressing Power + Volume Down simultaneously for about 8 seconds, or until AP Fastboot Mode appears on your phone display;​

Connect your Tonga to your Windows computer using the OEM supplied, or a quality equivalent USB-A to USB-C data syncing/charging cable;​

Open the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder you copied to the desktop in Step 1. Double click the cmd-here file to launch a command window;​

To verify proper fastboot communication between your phone and computer, execute this command:

fastboot devices

If properly connected, the command window will return with an alphanumeric string that corresponds with your device serial number;​

If your serial number isn't displayed, or if you receive a Waiting message, there is an issue with fastboot mode communication between your phone and PC/laptop. Try changing USB ports, try another data syncing cable, and/or update the fastboot drivers on your PC or laptop. If your phone remains unrecognized by fastboot, skip down to the next section titled Fix Fastboot Recognition Issues, and follow those steps.​

Once a proper connection has been verified, it's time to flash the patched boot image to your phone. Execute this command:

fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img

Take note that the patched boot images linked below are both named patched_boot.img. These instructions assume that you leave the filename unchanged.​

Upon reboot to the Android OS, go to your app drawer and open the Magisk app or its placeholder stub. Grant any permissions requested, and follow any prompts to upgrade Magisk to the full version and complete setup of the root environment. Magisk may reboot your device to finalize the setup. If you do not see the Magisk app or the stub, download the Magisk v26.1 APK from the official Magisk GitHub repo I have linked below, and install it on your Tonga.​

That's it. You should now be rooted via the Magisk systemless root solution.​

FIX FASTBOOT RECOGNITION ISSUES:

This section is provided to assist members with troubleshooting device recognition issues via fastboot mode. If you have already tried a different USB-A to USB-C data syncing/charging cable, as well as a different USB port, and your Tonga persists to be unrecognized in fastboot mode, follow these steps:​

Keeping your device connected to your Windows PC/laptop from Step 8 above, and ensuring your device is still in fastboot mode, right click your Windows Start icon and select Device Manager. Locate your Tonga in the menu. It will likely be located under either the Portable Devices or Android Device heading;​

Right click your device and select Update Driver. Next, select Browse My Computer for Drivers. On the next screen choose the option for Let Me Pick From a List... Now you will see a list of drivers to select from. Depending on the manner in which Windows recognized your Tonga in the Device Manager menu, the driver selection list can vary. If you see an option for Android Device or Android Phone, select either option, and then select either Android Composite ADB Interface or Android Bootloader Interface. Or, you may be directly presented with options for Android Bootloader Interface, Android ADB Interface and Android Composite ADB Interface. In any event, choose Android Composite ADB Interface or, in the alternative, Android Bootloader Interface, and then click Next. Click Yes in the Update Driver Warning dialogue screen, at which time the drivers will be installed.​

Return to your command window and again execute the fastboot devices command. If your serial number is displayed, your drivers are now properly installed. Return to the instructions in the previous heading and proceed to Step 9.​

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DOWNLOADS:

• Motorola Device Manager V2.5.4

• Minimal ADB & Fastboot Tools v1.4.3

• Official GitHub Magisk Releases

• Patched boot.img (Android 11 Stock OS)

• Patched boot.img (Android 12 Stock OS)

• Official Tonga Firmware / All Variants

THANKS & MENTIONS:

A big thanks to @sd_shadow for his excellent tutorial on Unlocking/Relocking Motorola bootloaders. Also, thanks to @jhjhjhjhjhjh for his comprehensive thread on the Moto G Power (2022), packed with specs, general info, mods & some other valuable resources for Tonga owners. Check out his thread here Moto G Power (2022)
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