Using Mfastboot.exe to Flash a Motorola device

sd_shadow · Apr 16, 2020

Mfastboot
Although Mfastboot.exe works with most Motorola Devices, the exact files and flash commands may vary, best to see specific forum/threads for the device.
I haven't updated this thread for a while.
Mfastboot still works, but the flash commands have changed for newer devices.
See Guide: Motorola Firmware

Motorola devices only.
Can be used with Windows/Linux/Mac but this thread will only have instructions for Window (10)
- Instruction for using Mfastboot on Linux/Mac should be similar as standard Fastboot for Android
- [UNIX][mFastboot] mFastboot on Linux and Mac OS X, and how to use it by danieliop
- The Easiest Way to Install Android's ADB and Fastboot Tools on Any OS - lifehacker

Watch Videos

Download

Motorola Drivers
Mfastboot files: Mega - AFH - XDA - Drive - ~~DevHost~~ no longer Safe -
Firmware for your Device

Verify Files

Compare File Size with file size form download site
Use Hash Checksums
- mfastboot-v2.zip (1.36 MB) MD5 Sum: 83650a3589d2ecd7c8115ce860d45a23

Install Moto Drivers

Extract files from zip
Run Motorola_End_User_Driver_Installation_....msi
Reboot PC

Setup Mfastboot.exe

Extract mafastboot.zip to a local drive
Example - C:/Mfastboot
Open start menu and type CMD
Right click on CMD > select open file location
Find cmd.exe, right click and copy
Paste into Mfastboot folder

Show known File Types

Open C:/Mfastboot folder
Select View>options>Change folder and Search options
In Folder Options Select Tab View
Uncheck Box: Hide Extensions for Known file Types
Select OK

Short Version - Flashing System Only

In some cases only System.img is necessary
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot flash system system.img
```
and
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot reboot
```
Press enter
if Device does not boot try Long Version

Long Version -Using Mfastboot to Flash Firmware

Note: The exact files needed will very by device model
Extract files from Firmware xml.zip

Copy

Code:

NON-HLOS.bin
system.img
boot.img
recovery.img

to Mfastboot folder

Boot Device to AP Fastboot Mode (Power Off, Hold Volume Down, Press power button for 2-3 secs then release)
Note Click here If you see Low Battery, Click here if you see Fastboot Reason: Sticky bit factory_fastboot
Run cmd.exe in Mfastboot folder
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin
```
Press enter
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot erase modemst1
```
Press enter
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot erase modemst2
```
Press enter
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot flash system system.img
```
Press enter this may take several minutes to finish and be flashed in several segments.
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot flash boot boot.img
```
Press enter
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot flash recovery recovery.img
```
Press enter
Type commands
Code:
```
fastboot erase cache
```
Press enter
Optional Data Wipe: Type commands
Code:
```
fastboot erase userdata
```
Press enter
Type commands
Code:
```
mfastboot reboot
```
Press enter
Device should boot normally, If not see RSD Lite or House of Moto

sd_shadow · Oct 31, 2016

Troubleshooting

Q1: Error: Cannot load system.img: Not enough space.
Solution: try flashing system.img in chunks with

Code:

mfastboot flash system system.img -P

- Thanks to @Merconium for the tip

Error: UTAG "bootmode" configured as fastboot
Solution 1:

Code:

fastboot oem fb_mode_clear
fastboot reboot

Solution 2:

Code:

fastboot erase motoboot
fastboot flash motoboot motoboot.img
fastboot reboot

sd_shadow · Jul 6, 2016

Credit: [GUIDE][FAQ][KK] How to Root, Boot Unlock & More by ATTACK

sd_shadow · Jul 6, 2016

Saved #4

sd_shadow · Jul 6, 2016

Saved #5

sd_shadow · Sep 17, 2015 at 3:14 AM

AndroidDude7 said:
Ah okay, will you send a link to me when you do?

Video up
[Video]Using Mfastboot.exe to Unbrick a Motorola device

AndroidDude7 · Jun 14, 2015 25 0 0

sd_shadow said:
Video up
[Video]Using Mfastboot.exe to Unbrick a Motorola device

Thanks so much!

AndroidDude7 · Jun 14, 2015 25 0 0

sd_shadow said:
Video up
[Video]Using Mfastboot.exe to Unbrick a Motorola device

So I just did as you showed in the video but it said unable to partition 'system.img' or something like that

sd_shadow · Sep 17, 2015 at 9:25 PM

AndroidDude7 said:
So I just did as you showed in the video but it said unable to partition 'system.img' or something like that

I would try RSD Lite.

Delichi · May 24, 2016 at 10:31 PM

THANK YOU very much!!!!!!!! You saved my life, when I didn't know what else to do (RSD lite didn't recognice my device and I coudn't flash anything by twrp). You're amazing and I can't comment your video so... Awesome post

s5610 · Jun 5, 2016 at 2:43 AM

Sadly to say, but seems like mfastboot is outdated for now. I get error trying to flash SU6-7.7 ROM for Droid Maxx. RSD Lite 6.2.4 is ok.

e:\Motorola\XT1080\QLOAD_firmwares\CFC-obakem_verizon-user-4.4.4-SU6-7.7-release-keys.xml>fastboot flash system system.img
(bootloader) Variable not supported!
target reported max download size of 805306368 bytes
Invalid sparse file format at header magi
error: write_sparse_skip_chunk: don't care size 524509064 is not a multiple of the block size 4096
sending sparse 'system' (768973 KB)...
error: write_sparse_skip_chunk: don't care size 524509064 is not a multiple of the block size 4096
OKAY [ 49.390s]
writing 'system'...
(bootloader) Preflash validation failed
FAILED (remote failure)
finished. total time: 49.967s

sd_shadow · Jun 5, 2016 at 2:47 AM

s5610 said:
Sadly to say, but seems like mfastboot is outdated for now. I get error trying to flash SU6-7.7 ROM for Droid Maxx. RSD Lite 6.2.4 is ok.

e:\Motorola\XT1080\QLOAD_firmwares\CFC-obakem_verizon-user-4.4.4-SU6-7.7-release-keys.xml>fastboot flash system system.img
(bootloader) Variable not supported!
target reported max download size of 805306368 bytes
Invalid sparse file format at header magi
error: write_sparse_skip_chunk: don't care size 524509064 is not a multiple of the block size 4096
sending sparse 'system' (768973 KB)...
error: write_sparse_skip_chunk: don't care size 524509064 is not a multiple of the block size 4096
OKAY [ 49.390s]
writing 'system'...
(bootloader) Preflash validation failed
FAILED (remote failure)
finished. total time: 49.967s

I may need to update thread
to something like this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2542219

mfastboot flash partition gpt.bin
mfastboot flash motoboot motoboot.img
mfastboot flash logo logo.bin
mfastboot flash boot boot.img
mfastboot flash recovery recovery.img
mfastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.0
mfastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.1
mfastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.2
mfastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.3
mfastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.4
mfastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin
mfastboot erase modemst1
mfastboot erase modemst2
mfastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn
mfastboot erase cache
mfastboot erase userdata
mfastboot reboot[/QUOTE]

Sent from my XT1080 using XDA Labs

s5610 · Jun 13, 2016 at 12:26 AM

sd_shadow said:
I may need to update thread to something like this

LOL. I found the cause. Being Moto enthusiast I'm using mfastboot of latest version renamed to "fastboot.exe" for very long time, but recently copied foreign file and mixed up with mine, so that was the cause

Thanks for the hint!

sd_shadow · Aug 1, 2016 at 2:50 AM

added How to Firmware Restore your Motorola Device on Windows 10 without RSDlite
Rootjunky.com

UTesla · Sep 29, 2016 at 9:03 PM

I have to start the phone manually

I´ve made my phone run, but when I turn it on, it boots in bootloader mode and I have to start the phone manually

sd_shadow · Sep 29, 2016 at 11:53 PM

UTesla said:
IÂ´ve made my phone run, but when I turn it on, it boots in bootloader mode and I have to start the phone manually

no errors?
what is after boot reason?
which device?

YM_SNIPER22 · Nov 4, 2016

But my phone's ROM doesn't have a system.img file. The files in it are shown in the picture.

YM_SNIPER22 · Nov 4, 2016

But my phone's ROM doesn't have a system.img file. The files in it are shown in the picture. Please help quick...

sd_shadow · Nov 4, 2016 at 11:52 AM

YM_SNIPER22 said:
But my phone's ROM doesn't have a system.img file. The files it have are shown in the picture. Please help quick...

Change the file extension for system_signed so it's
system_signed.img

Sent from my sailfish using XDA Labs

YM_SNIPER22 · Nov 4, 2016 at 4:14 PM

Thanks sd_shadow!!!!!!!!!!!! You saved my phone again!!!!!

Using Mfastboot.exe to Flash a Motorola device

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