When the mobile manufacturer has Android one program in their mobile list, those mobiles always get the update quickly compare with the regular series. Most of the Moto One series mobiles got the Android 10 upgrade. The users in other mobile lineup are waiting for the update for a long time. Now, Moto is rolling out Android 10 to non-Android One mobiles. In this list, Moto Z4 got its major update from Motorola. As usual, you can always update your mobile using a software update option in settings. When you can’t do the automatic method, you can try with one of the below manual ways. The update rollout is based on regions, so When you didn’t get the OTA to wait for some time to make the manual decision.
If the Internal method does not work for you, try with the RSD Lite process. Most of the time, it gives you a high success rate. When you accidentally bricked your mobile, you can use the RSD Lite method. You can use this method 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.
Android 10 Firmware Flash- Motorola Moto Z4
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 (XT1980, International and Region-specific Variants)
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
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 Extract all the files from the .zip. Copy those files to the folder where you installed 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 Motorola Moto Z4 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 mobile ID, restart the command prompt and Disconnect and Connect your Moto Z4. If you are detected, type below commands.
- For your comfortable use, I added all the commands in the text Document so that you can easily paste in your Command Prompt. Download Moto firmware flash commands.txt.
- You don’t have to type every command. Copy all the commands and paste in the command prompt. It will execute the commands one by one.
- Wait for the process to complete. After the process complete, It will boot into your flashed OS.
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 Z4 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 Z4. 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 Z4 Android 10 Features
There are plenty of features added in the 10 version, compare with the Pie version. Here I mentioned some important features.
Live Caption
You know this already, If you turn on Subtitles in the Youtube, It will auto-generate the captions. The Same functionality can be work on all over your device videos. It Doesn’t require Wi-Fi/ Data. This feature not yet available. But, It will be rolling out soon.
The language limit depends on Google Data.
Smart Reply
It is already available in the Pie version. But it is limited. Now you can explore more actions when you get the messages. You can Open Links, Open Apps based on the messages.
Sound Amplifier
We always do this using Third-party apps. Now we can adjust the Volume and Tune, Equalize using the in-built feature. You can do a lot of things like Reduce noise, Enhance the Tune like that.
Enhanced Gesture Navigation
The True Gesture Navigation has finally arrived. It may not be best compare with OnePlus devices, But It is way better than the Pie 9.0 version. If you swipe From Left to Right, It goes forward. Right to Left goes Backward. Home button work as usual. You can access recently used apps By Swiping Quarter Screen to the Top. Simple Navigation to avoid confusion.
Dark Mode
It is not like Night Mode. It didn’t add a filter in the Display. If you have OLED Display, It will surely save your battery power from 5-30% based on your usage.
Privacy
Google always added enhanced Privacy features in every Android version. In the 10th version, You can handle your Privacy lot better. It will always tell you when your installed apps access your location in the Background. So, that you can manage whether you need that permission on Always or During the app usage.
Direct System Updates
Unlike regular OTA updates from your Manufacturers, the frequent patch updates will be handled by Google After you updated to Android 10 version. The update will utilize the Google Play App. If you have Custom Skin OS from your Manufacturer, Google will not change the UI. They will handle only Patch updates. The direct Security patch update is one of the most critical steps taken from their side. It will help all the users who are tired of their manufacturer Late updates.
Focus Mode
It can be an additional function of Digital Wellbeing. Now you can Pause some apps to avoid the Notifications For a short time or a Long time. Some mobiles are made based on this scenario. To avoid distractions and get focused on what you are doing. Think you are Studying, and Single Whatsapp message can redirect you. With the help of this feature, you can use only Study apps during your Study time.
Family Link
It is like Parental Control. You can control the App Timings within your Added Google Accounts.
Other improvements and changes
- HEIF Image, Monochrome Camera Support.
- New Set of Emoji.
- Enhanced Adaptive Battery Improvements compare with the Pie version.
- Contaminant Detection- If any moistures are in your USB Ports, your mobile will alert you.
- Attentive Display- If you are looking at your mobile, It will always awake.
- You can use three fingers gestures to take a screenshot.
- Dolby Audio hereafter Moto Audio.
Final Words
If you are in Stock firmware, Use the ADB based method. It is comfortable and safe; You can update like a Regular OTA Update. But if you were already using Rooted devices, You can try TWRP based method. 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 Z4 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.
