How to flash Motorola firmware (fastboot)

Before you start

• Pick the package for your codename and software channel (RETAIL, RETEU, OPENMX, AMXMX, …). Your channel is in Settings → About phone → Software channel, or fastboot getvar ro.carrier.
• Never install an older version than the one on the phone while the bootloader is locked. Motorola blocks downgrades and the phone can stop booting.
• Back up. A full flash erases data.

Easiest: Rescue and Smart Assistant (Windows)

1. Install Rescue and Smart Assistant (RSA) from Lenovo’s support site and sign in.
2. Choose Rescue, connect the phone and follow the prompts. RSA downloads the matching firmware itself and installs it.

Manual: fastboot

1. Extract the .xml.zip into a folder. Inside is flashfile.xml, which lists the commands in order.
2. Boot to fastboot: turn the phone off, hold Volume Down + Power.
3. Install the latest Android Platform-Tools and Motorola USB drivers.
4. Run the commands from flashfile.xml in the folder — fastboot flash partition file for each line, in the same order. Tools such as a flashfile-to-batch converter can generate them for you.
5. Finish with fastboot erase userdata (only if you want a clean phone) and fastboot reboot.

If something goes wrong

• “Preflash validation failed”: the firmware is older than the phone or for another device. Use a newer package for your codename.
• “Not allowed in locked state”: that partition can’t be flashed on a locked bootloader. Use RSA instead.