Moto is rolling out Its Pie 9.0 upgrade to a lot of mobiles. Surprisingly, Moto Z2 Play received this update too. We Didn’t Even think about this device in the list. Because Moto is busy with the new mobiles, it is 2.5 Years old device. It is a Good move from Moto. Compare with the Old OS; It is like Fluid UI. Working Smoothly. You can make this update using Software update in settings. When you can’t make the update, due to some region restrictions, you can try the Internal memory method. When this method fails, you can work with ADB and Fastboot process. The mentioned methods can be done, If you can live access to your mobile.
When you accidentally bricked your mobile, you can use the RSD Lite method. This method is also used to Remove root access form your mobile and bring back Stock Recovery. There are a lot of features like Adaptive Brightness, Adaptive Battery, and Lot of UI enhancements.
Table of Contents
Android Pie 9.0 Firmware Flash- Moto Z2 Play
Official OTA Method
If you’re going to update a security patch to the current month. Don’t go for the manual method. Try this Automatic method.
The process is straightforward and simple;
Go to your device setting menu and scroll down to the bottom
Tap on “Software Update”
You may have to refresh the page to start the OTA upgrade process.
Manual Method (XT1710- International Variant)
Note
- Check Your Device Mobile No. If you flash Different model number, you will lose some features based on your region.
- Battery Percentage Above 50.
- Backup Your Device.
Download Firmware
- Download Moto Z2 Play Pie firmware.
Using Internal Memory Method
This method doesn’t require PC support, download, and installs within your mobile. It will work only with Stock firmware installed on your mobile. If you are already using Custom OS, move to the next method.
- Copy downloaded firmware to your mobile, Rename it to Blur_Version.zip, and copy it to your Internal Root Memory. Copy>> Internal memory. Don’t put in any folder, and Don’t change the name of the file.
- Now Go to settings >> Apps and Notifications >> Show all apps >> Show system apps.
- Go to Motorola Update service >> Permissions >> Enable Storage permissions. After enabling this permission. Now update as usual OTA Method.
Go to your device setting menu and scroll down to the bottom
Tap on “Software Update”
You may have to refresh the page to start the OTA upgrade process. Instead of download from Server, this update process will update from your Internal memory.
Using ADB and Fastboot method
This method requires PC support; You can also use this method to use Stock ROM If you are using Custom ROMs.
Download and install the Moto USB driver to your computer system.
Also, download the ADB drivers. Install it on your PC.
- Copy your downloaded firmware to PC and rename it to firmware.zip. Copy those files to the folder where you installed ADB and Fastboot.
- Switch off your device. Then, enter into the Stock Recovery mode. To do this- Press and hold down the Volume Down + Power buttons at the same time for some time.
Press the Volume Up button to continue when you see the warning message.
Now, connect the Moto Z2 Play mobile to the computer via USB cable.
- In Your Mobile stock recovery, select “Apply Update from ADB.”
Launch the fastboot on your computer. Open a Command prompt on your PC and type below command.
- fastboot devices
- It should display the connected devices. If you didn’t get the device, restart the command prompt and Disconnect, and Connect your mobile. If you are detected, type below commands.
- adb sideload firmware.zip
- The command will install all the files. When the process complete, It will reboot your mobile. You can lock your Bootloader after this process. If you planned to Root, don’t relock your bootloader.
RSD Lite Method
This method can be used to flash firmware if you are using Custom ROM or a rooted device like that. You need a PC for this process. If you already rooted or have Custom OS, your bootloader is unlocked. But if you relocked your bootloader, you should unlock the bootloader. After unlock, Follow the below steps one by one carefully.
Unlock Bootloader using ADB and Fastboot
- Switch off your device. Then, enter into Fastboot mode. To do this- Press and hold down the Volume Down + Power buttons at the same time for some time.
Press the Volume Up button to continue when you see the warning message.
Now, connect the Moto Z2 Play mobile to the computer via USB cable.
Launch the fastboot on your computer. Open a Command prompt on your PC and type below command.
- fastboot devices
- It should display the connected devices. If you didn’t get the device, restart the command prompt and Disconnect and Connect your Moto Z2 Play. If you are detected, type below commands.
- fastboot oem get_unlock_data
- Hit enter, you will get some unlock data. Copy those codes and remove <bootloader> Prefix from those lines and copy them into one single line.
- Go to Official Moto Unlock Page. Log in with your moto account and in the Box, Paste those codes and Check the unlock Bootloader Status. If you get, Yes you can unlock, You can request unlock Key from Moto.
After the process completes, you will get 20 Digit to unlock the key in your email. Now type the following command to unlock bootloader on your device.
- fastboot oem unlock UNIQUE CODE
You should type this code two times and Hit enter to unlock your device successfully. After the successful unlock, your device will automatically reboot to the standard OS.
- Check again enable “Developer Options,” then go to the “Developer Options” and enable USB Debugging Mode, OEM Unlock and Enable the “Advanced Reboot.” Sometimes they disabled themselves after the boot.
Flash Firmware using RSD Lite
Enable USB Debugging Mode and OEM Unlock; you’ll find these options at Settings >>> Developer options. If you didn’t see the developer options on your settings menu, then go to about >>> build number; click on the “Build Number” row for about ten times continuously to activate “Developer Option” on your device.
- Download Motorola USB driver and install it on your PC.
- We are using third party software flashing. Download RSD Lite and install this also on your PC.
- Connect Your Mobile With the PC Using USB Cable.
- Switch off Your Mobile and Enter into Fastboot Mode->Press and Hold Volume Down+ Power Button.
- Release all the keys when you enter into Fastboot mode.
- Now Launch RSD Lite Select Your Downloaded Firmware Using this “…” The symbol in the RSD Lite.
- It Will Asks For the Unzip Just Select Uncompress.
- Check With Your Mobile Details.
- Now go to Your Mobile Press Volume Down Key And Select AP Fastboot. Make Sure that USB Connected Message is Display(Transfer Mode: USB Connected).
- Now Select the Start in the RSD Lite Wait For the Process to Complete, Your Mobile Will Reboot After the Process Completion.
- You can Check the Firmware Details->Settings->About->Version.
Motorola Z2 Play Pie 9.0 Features
Main Feature
- Upgrade system from Android Oreo to Android Pie
Gesture Features
- Swipe up for recent apps
- Swipe tray up for the app tray
- Single tap to return home
- Long press to activate Google Assistant
- Swipe left to go back
- Swipe right to flip between the last two apps
Notifications
- Now you can disable some unwanted notifications based on your explicit frequent. If you clear Notifications without reading for some specific apps, based on your usage, the system will ask to disable for the separate app.
Adaptive Brightness
- Based on the environment, your device can automatically adjust the Brightness. To enable this go to Settings >> Display >> Adaptive Brightness
Battery Manager
- If you enable the Battery manager, you can restrict apps that use unwanted power in the background.
Easy Screenshot in Power Button
- Now you can easily take a screenshot using Power Button. Press Power Button >> Screenshot.
Other Features
- Added LTE+LTE (Dual Volte) feature
- Added Panorama feature for the camera
- Some Camera improvements
- Easy Volume Controls
Wrap Up
If you are in Stock firmware, Use the Internal Memory method. It is comfortable and safe; You can update like a Regular OTA Update. But if you were already using Custom OS or Rooted devices, You can try RSD Lite Method or Fastboot. Don’t download any third party apps; sometimes, it may trigger the updates process. There are a lot of new Gestures available in this Update, try them also. In my opinion, Moto near Stock Android is better to compare with some other Custom Skin OS. So try to use this OS instead of a Custom OS. But the decision is your choice…:)
Selva Kumar is an Android Devices Enthusiast, Who Can Talk and Write About Anything If You Give a Hint About the respective devices. He is a Computer Science Graduate and Certified Android Developer, Making His Career towards this Technology. He is always eager to try new Android devices — not only Software level but Hardware-level Also. Beyond this, He is a Good Swimmer, Guitarist.
Thank you so much for this detailed instructions and the downlaodable update.
I have succesfully installed Android 9 on my Moto Z2 Play
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback…:)
hi
my Motorola xt1789-06 has a weird problem. The network drops if I connect on wifi or switch on GPS. Do I need to re-install android as the repair guys refused to even look at the phone, saying they have never heard about an issue like this before? And this was the Motorola service center people!! help
Disable Wi-Fi calling.
Can’t download the firmware, is the file removed?
The file download is working.
Can you tell me what internal memory means cause I tried to paste at “/,” and it doesn’t work for me by not having permission? When I tried to paste at “/storage/” and “/storage/emulated,” the same way was denied. It just goes possible to paste at “/storage/emulated/0” but doesrecognizeized the update file when to click on the “Update System” menu. It simply shows me a screen that said my system is updated after a screen “Verifying if there’s an update.”
My actual phone is an XT1710-09 running a system version is Android 7.1.1 NPS26.118-19 Security Patch: 1º July of 2017.
Can you help me?
Thanks and congratulations for your excellent work to help us, clients of old devices of Motorola.
You have to paste the firmware in the File Manager> Internal memory/phone memory. Add the firmware into the root folder. Don’t put it in the sub folders.
Worked like a charm. Done the normal update with no utilities. Phone XT1710-09. It is a bit of a problem with the Moto app because it says that it is no longer supported in Google play. But Moto actions and moto display got a great update, and after I downloaded Moto apk from Aptoide (version 9.0.110.1), I even got the new UI. Moto mods are working great too. Tested Soundboost, gamepad, one of the battery packs, and projector. I even got my language which is a great +.
But I actually forgot about one thing. It seems like Miracast is still not activated from the start. (Its disabled from version Android 8) So It seems like I still need to Root my phone and enable that one.
We glad that the method is works for you.