US Cellular XT1768 Moto E4 - Bootloader is Unlockable, and other info

[neilc300]

Moto E4 Plus?

Hi everyone, does anyone know if this root method works on Moto E4 plus? Factory unlocked running 7.1.1? Also I went through the bootloader unlocking process all seemed to have gone perfectly fine except I never got any kind of anything confirming it successfully, or unsuccessfully have unlocked the bootloader, after entering the UNIQUE string and the unlock code sent to me by Motorola it ran the code but returned a line saying "enter this command again to complete" and I did and phone rebooted, factory reset, but not bootloader unlocked, someone got any idea what may have happened? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[mn1968]

@neilc300 How do you know it's not bootloader unlocked? When you reboot, does the boot image look different/say anything different, like "Bad key", "N/A", have a black screen then boot normally? Other than that, perhaps you should checkout the E4 Plus forum. This is for the E4.

 

[Boz1]

I know this might be a little off topic for this thread, but for those running their US Cellular Moto E4 on the stock software, has anyone received either the July or September 2017 Android Security Update? Mine is on the May 2017 update, and checking for updates returns a message that no updates are available. Thanks.

 

[fix-this!]

so the us cellular model is unlocked for at&t and can be bootloader unlocked and rooted? just verifying as im going to buy one.

 

[mn1968]

so the us cellular model is unlocked for at&t and can be bootloader unlocked and rooted? just verifying as im going to buy one.

Yep. 1st post for more info.

 

[fix-this!]

Yep. 1st post for more info.

ill be buying one to replace the bootloader locked verizon prepaid one I bought. wish I would of seen this sooner. $50 for that is a steal.

 

[neilc300]

@neilc300 How do you know it's not bootloader unlocked? When you reboot, does the boot image look different/say anything different, like "Bad key", "N/A", have a black screen then boot normally? Other than that, perhaps you should checkout the E4 Plus forum. This is for the E4.

i finally figured out what i was doing wrong and got it unlocked but then bricked it with wrong recovery best buy took it back thank god!

 

[CLETjB]

ill be buying one to replace the Bootloader locked Verizon prepaid one I bought. wish I would of seen this sooner. $50 for that is a steal.

I did the same thing, I seen a Unlocked E4 (XT1767) at Walmart for $39.99 + tax, and jumped on it, only to find out that Verizon has this locked down pretty tight, so I purchased a E4 (XT1768) from Swappa.com for $100.00. Just got it today and it has May 1, 2017 security update Build NPQ26.69-27, and took back the Verizon variant got my $43.07 back, now I'm waiting for the OTA Security update for September 1, 2017 which the Verizon variant just performed yesterday, before I unlock my TRUE Unlocked XT1768 Bootloader. This is my Backup phone, I had a Motorola X PURE (XT1575) 32GB (Love this phone) but HARD Bricked it trying to get 7.0 flashed on it and was impatient for the OTA, will purchase another when the price comes down. This link may work https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/themes-apps/boot-animation-logo-bin-t3558942 for getting the Boot logo and Animation changed out, but BE WARNED this could brick your phone since it's for the Pure, but it may work

 

[Boz1]

I did the same thing, I seen a Unlocked E4 (XT1767) at Walmart for $39.99 + tax, and jumped on it, only to find out that Verizon has this locked down pretty tight, so I purchased a E4 (XT1768) from Swappa.com for $100.00. Just got it today and it has May 1, 2017 security update Build NPQ26.69-27, and took back the Verizon variant got my $43.07 back, now I'm waiting for the OTA Security update for September 1, 2017 which the Verizon variant just performed yesterday, before I unlock my TRUE Unlocked XT1768 Bootloader. This is my Backup phone, I had a Motorola X PURE (XT1575) 32GB (Love this phone) but HARD Bricked it trying to get 7.0 flashed on it and was impatient for the OTA, will purchase another when the price comes down. This link may work https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/themes-apps/boot-animation-logo-bin-t3558942 for getting the Boot logo and Animation changed out, but BE WARNED this could brick your phone since it's for the Pure, but it may work

Do you have any idea WHEN the OTA Security update for September 1, 2017 will come to the US Cellular Moto E4 version? Thanks.

 

[CLETjB]

No, I have Page Plus Cellular, which runs over Verizon's Network.

 

[mn1968]

...This link may work https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/themes-apps/boot-animation-logo-bin-t3558942 for getting the Boot logo and Animation changed out, but BE WARNED this could brick your phone since it's for the Pure, but it may work

While the boot logo linked to looks cool, it does not help us. First, it's the wrong resolution. Second, the problem has been getting the logo.bin to flash. I've tried all the typical procedures (using Terminal Emulator, ADB on PC, and flashing zip files in TWRP), and all fail. For whatever reason, there is more to replacing this logo.bin this time around.

 

[CLETjB]

You have to flash it (install) from TWRP

 

[mn1968]

You have to flash it (install) from TWRP

Tried many times with my own creations. It don't work...even in TWRP. Had/have success with Moto G4 but NOT the Moto E4.
Granted, I haven't tried your link but since it's the wrong resolution it is a moot point...Or have you actually tried flashing it and succeeded? I doubt it.

 

[CLETjB]

Haven't tried it with the new E4 I just picked up, I'm waiting for the September OTA before I unlock it and root it.

 

[mn1968]

OP is updated with guide/link to replace the logo.bin.

 

[Gooberslot]

I just got a notification on my US Cellular E4 that thee was an update available. Does anyone know if it's safe to install or if it will lock my phone making it unusable?

 

[bw 1]

I just got a notification on my US Cellular E4 that thee was an update available. Does anyone know if it's safe to install or if it will lock my phone making it unusable?

I don't see any reason why it would make your phone unusable, but I haven't updated mine yet.

What SIM do you have in it?

---------- Post added at 07:38 ---------- Previous post was at 07:37 ----------

I tried to activate my US Cellular Moto E4 on Red Pocket/Verizon and even though it's IMEI passes their check (along with TracFone and Page Plus Cellular), it gave me an error: "Device is active on another line. .#3", which it definitely isn't unless someone else has used the IMEI to activate a SIM on Verizon/Verizon MVNO.

So, I don't know what could be causing that. Perhaps these are not eligible to be activated on Verizon after all.

I ended up using a different IMEI to get my SIM activated.

---------- Post added at 07:43 ---------- Previous post was at 07:38 ----------

3. Flash the US Retail Stock Firmware
I did this to see what would happen, if anything, and to de-brand the phone as much as possible. To be fair the USC E4 only comes with 4 bloat apps and a modified Boot Animation with the US Cellular logo. The Retail Stock firmware removes all that. THIS IS OPTIONAL. To flash the retail firmware:
A. Download RSD Lite. This is similar to Odin, for those that have/had Samsung phones.
B. Downloaded firmware. I used the “Retail” version.
C. Unzip firmware to separate folder, install RSD Lite, & put phone into fastboot mode, & connect to PC. In RSD Lite, search for folder with firmware and select the “Flash” file. Process should take about 10-20 minutes.

I didn't unlock my bootloader, but I did flash the retail firmware except that I used fastboot commands. This worked fine and it appears to be on the retail firmware because the USC logo is not shown at start up and there is no USC bloatware installed. However, it still shows "usc" in Software Channel under Phone Status in Settings.

Does yours show that also?

 

[Gooberslot]

I don't see any reason why it would make your phone unusable, but I haven't updated mine yet.

What SIM do you have in it?

I have a Tracfone Verizon SIM. I went ahead and updated and all is fine. I don't know if the bootloader is still unlockable but at least I didn't lose service.

 

[mn1968]

I didn't unlock my bootloader, but I did flash the retail firmware except that I used fastboot commands. This worked fine and it appears to be on the retail firmware because the USC logo is not shown at start up and there is no USC bloatware installed. However, it still shows "usc" in Software Channel under Phone Status in Settings.

Does yours show that also?

Yes

 

[mn1968]

I didn't unlock my bootloader, but I did flash the retail firmware except that I used fastboot commands. This worked fine and it appears to be on the retail firmware because the USC logo is not shown at start up and there is no USC bloatware installed. However, it still shows "usc" in Software Channel under Phone Status in Settings.

Does yours show that also?

Yes