Root Moto G20 XT-2128 Android 11 using Magisk

When you are planning to buy Entry-level mobiles, You should be aware that, You have limited hardware specs. Even if we optimize at a high level, we can only expect slight improvement, not drastic. Moto G20 already comes with the Stock Android 11 version. So, It is already optimized at the core level. But when you are a regular Root apps user or developer, you can root your Moto G20 Android 11 using the below method. Since we are using the Magisk Only method, We can’t install custom ROMs on your mobile. But we can install all Root apps and Magisk Mods to get different features that are not available in the OEM version of your mobile.

After root, you will lose official updates, and you have to update your mobile manually. So, Before proceeding with the process, you should know why you need to do it. If you are a regular user, you can try some alternatives for your purpose that don’t require rooting your mobile. When you are a regular root apps user and developer, you can follow the below guide to achieve root on your mobile.

Should you need to Root Motorola Moto G20 Android 11 (Java)?

We thank XDA Developer- topjohnwu and Chris776 (Who successfully tested this method). Without their hard work, We can’t make this method. Coming to root, you should have a proper reason, and you know what you are doing. Yes, with a minimum of 4 GB RAM and a Unisoc T700 Octa-Core processor, You can use this mobile for basic tasks without root for 2-3 Years If you use it correctly. Software is better compared with other manufacturers, Custom skin OS. Don’t root because everybody says that it can become the fastest car in the world when you root your mobile. No. Rooting is to extract some performance from the device. But, you already have Powerful specs and software. So, If you are addicted to some root apps, you can root. But, if you want to test, I won’t recommend it.

How to Root Moto G20 Android 11 version (XT-2128, International Variants)?

Moto G20 International Variants comes with a flexible bootloader other than some carrier-locked devices, and it means that we can easily root different smartphone variants. The device can also accept installing TWRP recovery or any other custom recovery file/app.

For most of the methods, We follow Magisk to root our device. TWRP recovery is a custom recovery file that we must install on your devices because you can root them successfully. This article explained the easiest method to follow and install Magisk on Moto G20. However, the tool required for rooting this device is the Magisk App.

You can install TWRP Recovery once available for your Moto G20 to gain Custom Recovery access. Before sharing the tutorial, you may want to know that, without the TWRP recovery present on your device, you can not install any custom ROM or firmware. Does it seem complicated? Relax; we will explain everything briefly in bullets.

Things to check out for;

• Make sure your device battery is above 50%.

• You should back up your current files and data and the entire data loss process (save them on external storage).

Pre-Requirement Steps

• Enable USB Debugging Mode and OEM Unlock on your mobile. To do this, go to settings >>> about >>> Tap on the “Build Number” 7-10 times consistently to enable “Developer Options,” then go to the “Developer Options” and enable USB Debugging Mode, OEM Unlock. There is no complicated process in Moto G20.

• Download and install the Moto USB driver to your computer system.

• Also, download the ADB drivers. Install it on your PC.

Unlock Moto G20 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 simultaneously for some time.

• Press the Volume Up button to continue when you see the warning message.

• Now, connect the Moto G20 mobile to the computer via USB cable.

• Launch the fastboot on your computer. Open a Command prompt on your PC and type the 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 Edge 20/Pro; if you are detected, type the 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 line.

• When the above command doesn’t work, then type the below command and hit enter.

• fastboot flashing unlock

• 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 the 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 to enable “Developer Options,” then go to the “Developer Options” and enable USB Debugging Mode, OEM Unlock. Sometimes they disabled themselves after the boot.

Preparing Patched Boot Image file

• Download Moto G20 Firmware and save it on your PC. Your Current OS version and Downloaded Version should be the Same.

• You can use Phone Info to know your firmware version.

• When you have .pac in the Zip file, you must extract it further using SP Flash Tool.

• Download SP Flash Tool, Extract the files. Then Choose the “Upgrade Download” Application.

• Select Load Packet, then choose the .pac file from the firmware extract folder.

• Wait for the process to complete. Don’t close the application.

• Now Go to the SP Flash Tool folder; you can find the extracted firmware files in the “Image Files” Folder. Copy this folder to a different disk or place it on your PC. Since it is a Temporary folder, You will lose the extracted data, If you don’t copy those files to different areas.

• Download 7Zip-ZS Install on your PC. Extract the files in downloaded firmware using 7Zip-ZS. You will get a lot of data. Copy boot.img file to your mobile.

• Download Magisk Manager (Download Latest version) or Magisk canary and Install it on your mobile. Open Installed Magisk and Select Install in Magisk; ask For a zip file and Patch Recovery Image File. Select the boot image file.

• Navigate to your copied boot image File and patch the file in .img format.

• Wait for the process to complete; you will get a magisk patched .img file in the end. The .img file will be in the same folder where you have the boot. img.

• Copy the magisk_patched.img file to your PC. Rename the file to boot.img again.

Flash Patched Boot Image in Moto G20 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 simultaneously for some time.

• Press the Volume Up button to continue when you see the warning message.

• Now, connect the Moto G20 mobile to the computer via USB cable.

• Launch the fastboot on your computer. Open a Command prompt on your PC and type the 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 G20. If you are detected, type the below command and hit Enter.

• fastboot flash boot_a patched_boot.img
  fastboot flash boot_b patched_boot.img

• After the process is complete, Press the Volume Down+ Power button to exit Fastboot mode. When the screen goes off, Immediately Press Volume Up + Power buttons to boot into Recovery mode.

• After entering into Stock recovery mode, Go to Wipe Data/Factory Reset and Select Yes to wipe data. It will erase your saved data on your device. Don’t Boot into OS; read below Boot stages before booting.

Boot into Rooted OS

• Press and Hold Volume Up + Power buttons, release all the keys once the Bootloader warning appears. You have to set up your device like a new device, and you can select the root status using the Root Checker.

• Stock Recovery Boot – Press and Hold Volume Up + Power buttons, release keys while you hold the Volume Up key.

• You will see Magisk Manager in your App drawer. If you can’t find the app, you can install Magisk Manager on your mobile.

Selva Ganesh

Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.