Low-Spec Android Phone Modding
If you are here for installation instructions, skip to the bottom of the page.
I have had interesting Android experiences in the past, but I don't think any come close to the experience I had modding a Motorola Moto C Plus.
The "guide" (if you want to call it that) for installing TWRP is a little bit cluttered and hard to read, AND is very prone to failing despite many users having succeeded in using this method. Just for the error I was getting alone there was a good amount of users asking for help with either no reply, or useless ones.
Another user in the comments however pointed out that you could use Mtk-Su, an utility to temporarily gain Root Access, to "flash" TWRP and install a Custom ROM from there. And it works.
So, after failing with the "intended" route, I went for this one instead and was surprised to see how easy it was. Download an app, press a button, use dd
to flash TWRP, and I was done. From there I simply flashed ViperOS based on Android 7 and my device was pretty much ready to go
However, due to Motorola, this device is running 32-bit Android and a 32-bit Kernel, and sadly nobody stepped up and built 64-bit Android+Linux like how it happened with devices like the Moto G5s. Though, it worked really well overall, and if you have a device lying around I would say that it's a neat thing to try ;)
Installation Instructions
Requirements:
- An internet connection
- A Moto C Plus
- Up-To-Date Firmware
- TWRP from this XDA Thread
- Any Terminal-Emulator Application
- A Custom ROM to Flash on SDCard or PC (I HAVE NOT TESTED STOCK!)
Disclaimer: You are proceeding at your own risk, and I do not take responsibility if your device breaks in any way, shape, or form. ALL DATA WILL BE ERASED DURING THIS PROCEDURE!!!
This guide uses Mtk-Su. Mtk-Su is a utility which allows you to gain root access temporarily. You can either run it in a Terminal, or use Mtk-Easy-Su if you want to do this with a GUI. I will be covering the use of Mtk-Easy-Su for this procedure.
Step 1: Rooting the device using Mtk-Su
- Download the Mtk-Easy-Su application from GitHub
- Install and open the application
- Press the "
#
" button in the bottom right to gain Root Access. - Open Magisk Manager and update it. (it will have the default Android icon)
Step 2: Backing up your original Recovery
- Open your Terminal-Emulator
- type
su
and hit enter - run the following command:
dd if=/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/recovery of=/sdcard/recovery.img
- You now have a backup of your recovery.img in your internal storage. Make sure to store it somewhere safe.
Step 3: Flashing TWRP
- Open your Terminal-Emulator
- type
su
and hit enter. - run the following command with your TWRP image (I have my .img at
/sdcard/Download/TWRP.img
)dd if=/sdcard/Download/TWRP.img of=/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/recovery
Step 4: Flashing a Custom ROM
As I said before, I have not tested the Stock ROM, so please do not report issues with it.
- Power off your device
- Hold the
Power
andVolume +
buttons - Select "Recovery Mode" using the
Volume +
key, and confirm using theVolume -
key. - TWRP Will now boot
- Select "Wipe" > "Format Data" > Type "Yes" and hit Enter.
- Select Flash, navigate to your Custom ROM, and flash it as usual.
Step 5: Reboot and Enjoy
Your custom ROM should now boot, Enjoy! If you have any issues, contact me here
Thanks for reading! This was a VERY short one in terms of me actually talking, but I think the Instructions make up for it.
I wish you a good rest of the day, evening, night, or whatever other time you're reading this!