Last Updated on April 12, 2017 by Mathew Diekhake
The guide uses a custom ROM, and that means we need root access before continuing or else we cannot install it. If the OS is still locked up, there is no way we can get through and open it up to all the goodness we strive for daily. Before the root, make sure you unlock the Moto E bootloader. You will also want to install a custom recovery such as TWRP and ClockworkMod. Luckily for you it comes at a good time when the official TWRP files became available only a couple of weeks prior to today. Before then we’ve seen stacks of knock-offs but none was the real thing.
The Moto started out with Android 4.4.2 KitKat and had since seen the Android 4.4.3 Update via official stock firmware. However, it has not seen the newest 4.4.4 KitKat yet, and this new Custom ROM will expose you to its greatness before anything else. It is more of a novelty and fun exercise for many. There’s little doubt that the smartphone will see the most original version of KitKat and likely will see Android L after the Develop Preview finishes up. If you think, you’re out of acumen here and just wanted the fresh firmware perhaps wait it out for the official OTA to arrive as a notification in a few weeks time.
It will void the manufacturer’s warranty because it isn’t running stock software anymore by following this tutorial. Once you downgrade or revert to the stock firmware then it does become useful again because the flash counter is reset back to zero so there is no means the manufacturer can see what you did before now.
Backing up is critical because there’s every chance a full wipe of the operating system will take place during the steps, so it isn’t even about whether you need to restore factory setting or not. You can take an NANDroid backup; use apps such as Helium or Titanium available from the Google Play Store sync your contacts with the Google account or Motorola services and much more. Many people like to take a full backup of the OS including photos, videos, music and SMS texts if you have some you wish to save.
The Moto E only comes with 4 GB of built-in internal storage space and a lot of that is previously used up by the Android OS, so room from the data is scarce. Nevertheless, we have an opportunity to buy an extra 32 GB using microSD or microSDHC memory cards. The slot for this card is already existing and comes in the back of the smartphone, but they don’t include a memory card because it would cost more money. That is why they make it an additional option for people to pick up. People can find them online at websites such as eBay, or the local retailers.
You must have one of the SD card options available to use the guide. One of the steps is transferring data from the card inside of a custom recovery. It only gives 2.2 GB of user storage, so we are certain most people have a memory card already. After the Android OS is finished installing the software and applications that aren’t much for a phone people use every day.
The handset in question comes with a few negative aspects such as no autofocus in the camera, no flash with the camera, poor resolution with the video, no camera on the front, but the main concern is the battery that isn’t user-replaceable. Many brands do that such as HTC with the flagships, but those can afford to take that risk because we know the battery is trustworthy. Anyhow, the reason it presents a potential issue here is because you want to make sure the smartphone doesn’t turn off during the guide or else it may need a factory reset. You be the judge on your battery and give the device enough power to see through the operation that will take roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
Users need limited experience with good reading comprehension abilities before they attempt the steps. You will need a computer that can range from Windows XP through to Windows 8, Max OS X, Linux and also any laptop or Notebook provided it has a USB slot so we can plug our devices into the OS.
There are three main smartphones in Motorola’s new range namely the Moto X, the Moto G and the Moto E. What we present here today is for the latter and none of the other two options. If you fail to listen to the advice, it can soft-brick your handset and cause problems in the future.
Don’t start unless you took the time to enable USB Debugging Mode from the Develop Options and have up to date USB Drivers. The Drivers in most cases will be good to go already so don’t worry too much.
How To Update Motorola Moto E Mobile To Android 4.4.4 Custom ROM Slimkat
1. Download the Google apps package here.
2. Download the SlimKat custom ROM here.
– use the C: Drive on the computer for safe keeping’s or leave it on the desktop.
– do not extract the files until further down the page.
3. Fetch the USB cable.
– most people use it as the wire that connects to the phone charger every day when they boost the battery.
4. Plug the USB wire in the computer system unit and the other end into the Moto E and turn the phone on, so it’s working.
5. Transfer both of the files from the desktop to the devices SD card.
6. Turn the Moto E off
– hold the power button in for 15 seconds
7. Safely remove the hardware by clicking to stop the USB Mass Storage Device for Windows users.
– if using a different computer follow the usual steps to complete this task to avoid data corruption.
8. Boot it up into recovery mode.
– There’ye apps from the Play Store such as the Quick Boot tool to help you with this task.
9. From inside recovery select “wipe cache partition” and “wipe data factory reset.”
10. Go to the advanced settings and “wipe dalvick cache.”
– now all of the caches are taken care of we can start flashing.
11. Navigate back out of there and go to the main menu. Select “install zip from SD card” supplanted by “choose zip from SD card.”
12. Upload the Google apps and the SlimKat files one at a time.
13. Go back out of there and select “reboot system now.”
14. It will boot up with a new custom Android 4.4.4 firmware.