Transform your $130 Moto E4 into a Pixel.

[Shidell]

Following the "Root Question" thread (https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e4/help/root-question-t3626349), rooting and customizing the E4 becomes pretty simple.

Here's what I did, following that thread:

1. Booted to the Bootloader
2. Flashed my phone back to stock (to start fresh) using the Moto E4 Factory Image
3. Used "adb boot" to boot into the cedric TWRP image
4. Downloaded and transferred Open GAPPS (7.1, ARM, Stock), su, and dm-verity (from the root thread) to an SD card
5. Flashed GAPPs, su, and dm-verity, then cleared the cache, and restarted to system
6. Walked through phone setup, logging into Google account
7. *Manually had to install Google Camera via the Play Store website, as it didn't show up automatically for some reason (?)
8. Post-setup, install a SU management app (SuperUser from JRummy), Flashify, and Magisk
9. Use SuperUser to get Root access, use Flashify to flash the original boot.img, then use Magisk to root, and restart w/ Magisk root, then remove SuperUser
10. !Magisk root is working, but is not currently passing SafetyNet

Adding Open GAPPs whilst in the recovery replaces and adds all of the stock Android (Pixel) software items, including the Pixel launcher. The only exception was the Google Camera, which did not get installed correctly/completely/at all, for some reason. I had to manually visit the Play Store site, locate the camera, and install--which worked fine.

Save for the colored pixel navigation icons and live/dynamic wallpapers, this transforms the E4 into a mega-affordable Pixel.

 

[bakerbarber]

I'd like to try this.

Well, I did but the dialer was wonky.

I dirty flashed Gapps. On encrypted phone with Magisk. Seems encrypted was the only way to get Magisk instead of SuperU, which didn't seem worth the trouble since I couldn't actually do anything with Magisk or any modules besides administer root. I digress...

I tried to clear cache from Fireflash. Since ADB with TWRP is a pain. I jacked up my PIN code and restored to a TWRP backup I had with the other S.U....

So, I have tried to start over but I don't know how to flash stock image. TWRP says invalid zip or something.

I reverted to stock and the not Magisk. I've had OnePlus 1 and Oneplus 3 and Nexus 5 before. I realize they had a little bit broader dev support when new, but this Moto is just different enough to stump me.

TIA

 

[andMego]

I'd like to try this.

Well, I did but the dialer was wonky.

I dirty flashed Gapps. On encrypted phone with Magisk. Seems encrypted was the only way to get Magisk instead of SuperU, which didn't seem worth the trouble since I couldn't actually do anything with Magisk or any modules besides administer root. I digress...

I tried to clear cache from Fireflash. Since ADB with TWRP is a pain. I jacked up my PIN code and restored to a TWRP backup I had with the other S.U....

So, I have tried to start over but I don't know how to flash stock image. TWRP says invalid zip or something.

I reverted to stock and the not Magisk. I've had OnePlus 1 and Oneplus 3 and Nexus 5 before. I realize they had a little bit broader dev support when new, but this Moto is just different enough to stump me.

TIA

You are trying to figure out how to flash stock? Use rsdlite

 

[bakerbarber]

I gathered that looking into it earlier. Thanks for replying. I was hoping it was something a little more straight forward that I already knew how to do. My last Motorola was a Pebl. Hahaha.

I installed rsdlite last night after a little reading. I'll be doing it tonight maybe after some more reading.

I appreciate it. Great idea in the first place flashing Gapps. Might have to try the aroma installer though. I don't want or need everything stock with such little space on this phone.

 

[andMego]

I gathered that looking into it earlier. Thanks for replying. I was hoping it was something a little more straight forward that I already knew how to do. My last Motorola was a Pebl. Hahaha.

I installed rsdlite last night after a little reading. I'll be doing it tonight maybe after some more reading.

I appreciate it. Great idea in the first place flashing Gapps. Might have to try the aroma installer though. I don't want or need everything stock with such little space on this phone.

It's super easy to use, you just open rsdlite, select where you downloaded the stock images, plug your phone in, and press install. That's it. It takes a while (like half an hour) to finish.

 

[Shidell]

I gathered that looking into it earlier. Thanks for replying. I was hoping it was something a little more straight forward that I already knew how to do. My last Motorola was a Pebl. Hahaha.

I installed rsdlite last night after a little reading. I'll be doing it tonight maybe after some more reading.

I appreciate it. Great idea in the first place flashing Gapps. Might have to try the aroma installer though. I don't want or need everything stock with such little space on this phone.

Yep, it's up to you. I used the Stock package, and after updating all apps via the Play Store, I had 8 GB of free storage space available.

 

[anotherfakeusername]

The E4 processor is slower, and even more noticeable, the low light camera performance of the E4 is not good. You will not get a Pixel from an E4.

Cool project though.

 

[jacer48]

How to install google camera from playstore ?
Can you provide an apk ?

 

[Djoec1983]

For anyone who's interested come check out the Moto e4 community on G+ https://plus.google.com/communities/106649090634219918238