There is a good news for all US variant Moto G devices, the official Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware, has been released for both US Global and US GSM (T-Mobile).
Unfortunately, the new Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS is available only in US, and the international models of Moto G devices will receive the latest KK system by the end of this month.
If you cannot wait for the official release of this new update, and want to install the stock Android 4.4.2 KitKat, you can use our manual step by step guide presented here.
This step by step instructional guide is applicable for all of the GSM variants of the Motorola Moto G devices (not CDMA) and by using this manual guide, you can flash the Android 4.4.2, KK OS on the non-US variants of Moto G devices.
We are thankful to xda-developers for this update. In order to install Android 4.4.2 KK official update on international version of Moto G device, you need to unlock the boot-loader and to gain the root access on the device. After that you need to install the latest version of CWM Recovery image or TWRP recovery.
It is to be noted that the unlocking bootloader process is necessary as you cannot obtain the root access without having an unlocked bootloader.
When you buy an Android device, it comes with a locked bootloader with factory restriction. Its small loader program runs each time you power off the device.
So, in order to update the new ROM, you need to apply an unlock bootloader for Moto G device.
The warranty of the device will get void after the process, to restore the warrant you can do this by updating a stock Android 4.4.2 OTA release.
Also, a root guide is necessary to be applied on the Moto G device.
After the bootloader is unlocked, and the root rights are gained, a custom recovery image needs to be flashed.
So, with root access on your device, you should be able to flash the custom update and leaked ROMs like the present Android 4.4.2 KK firmware.
For installing the custom recovery image, we recommend you to use the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery.
Apply all of these required operations, as without using a custom recovery image you’ll not be able to apply the official Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware on your non-US Moto G device.
When a custom ROM like CWM or TWRP recovery is used for flashing the Android 4.4.2 on Moto G device a wipe data and clear the cache operation are required before proceeding further.
Also, take the backup of the device’s existent running ROM by using a Nandroid backup guide.
During the installation process, a personal PC will be necessary and also the Moto G device and its USB cable will be used.
The menu-settings-developer options path enables the USB debugging option.
Deactivate all the security programs such as Antivirus, Antimalware and Firewall protections; else these kinds of programs will interfere with the installation process.
Ensure that the device’s battery status indicate more than 65% power left. These instructions and files presented here are compatible only with the Motorola Moto G GSM variants including all models (US, non-US- international variants).
How to flash the Official Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS on Motorola Moto G (US, Non- US/International models)
- First, download the Android 4.4.2 update file from here; or by checking the official page by visiting this page from here.
- Second, save the downloaded file on your PC on the desktop folder.
- Do not unzip the downloaded file.
- Now, connect the Moto G device by using the USB cable.
- Copy and Paste the downloaded file from the desktop to your device’s SD card.
- Power off the phone, and then enter into recovery mode.
- From recovery mode menu, select “wipe cache partition” and then perform “wipe dalvick cache”
- Now, wipe the system by selecting the “wipe data factory reset” option.
- Next, return to main menu of recovery mode.
- From the main menu of recovery mode select “install zip from SD card” and then “choose zip from SD card”.
- Browse and pick the Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS and install the update file on your device.
- Now, return to main menu of recovery mode and from there select “reboot system now”.
You have successfully installed the official Android 4.4.2 KK OS on your Motorola Moto G device.
Do share with us all the supplementary questions and your opinion by using our comment sections from below.
