Official TWRP for Moto G7 and Moto G7 Plus is now available. Through this post, you’ll learn how to install TWRP and root Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus using Magisk.
This year, Motorola too dipped its fingers into the notch scene with its latest G series devices. Both the Motorola Moto G7 and Moto G7 Plus were launched earlier this year, featuring a waterdrop notch with quite an affordable price tag.
While the phones may definitely be a value for the buck, but Motorola is long known for irregular and delayed support when it comes to software updates. Also, the stock firmware that comes pre-installed on these phones isn’t a stronghold when it comes to customization. It is all but basically stock AOSP software with Motorola’s proprietary apps sitting atop.
Well, in either case, you might want to install a custom ROM on your Moto G7 device. This will not only give you a plethora of options to customize the software but also help you keep your phone updated with the latest Android security patch. But in order to do that, you must first install a custom recovery like TWRP on your Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus. Furthermore, if you’d like, you can also root your phone using Magisk, that certainly has its own perks. For starters, you can install Modules to add more features to the software or use MagiskHide to hide root from certain apps that might detect it.
Important Note: The bootloader on the Moto G7 (river) only comes installed on the active slot. So, DO NOT SWITCH SLOTS until you flash the “copy-partitions-AB.zip” file. This file will automatically install a copy of the bootloader from the active slot (say “a”) to the inactive slot (say “b”). The instructions for the same have been listed in rooting instructions towards the end of this tutorial.
Warning and Disclaimer
Installing TWRP and rooting is not for the faint of hearts. Make sure that you fully understand the risks involved and the instructions in this guide before you read ahead.
TheCustomDroid.com or any of its members shall not be held liable for any damage caused to your Motorola Moto G7 or Moto G7 Plus during or after performing the instructions listed here.
Requirements
Before you head over to the instructions to install TWRP recovery and root Moto G7/G7 Plus, make sure that you fulfill all the requirement stated below.
- Take a complete backup of all your data stored on the phone. Although the process of installing TWRP and rooting the phone will not wipe any data, we still strongly recommend taking a backup in case anything goes wrong.
- In order to perform any instructions below, you must first unlock the bootloader of your Moto G7/G7 Plus. You can follow our guide on how to do it. Note that unlocking the bootloader wipes all the data stored on the phone, including the internal storage. So, we cannot emphasize more on how important it is to backup all the data.
- Download and install Android SDK platform-tools (ADB and Fastboot) on your PC. You can alternatively use the Minimal ADB and Fastboot tool.
- Also, install Motorola USB drivers on your PC.
- Charge your Moto G7 device to a sufficient battery level to avoid it from shutting down during the process.
- Download the TWRP recovery image for your device, Magisk installer zip, and copy-partitions-AB.zip (Only for Moto G7 with codename “river”) files. Transfer all these files to your phone’s internal storage.
- Note: One of our readers (Mark) informed us that TWRP on the Moto G7 (river) does not support encryption properly on the latest firmware. In such a case, transfer the all the said files to the external storage (Micro-SD card) and follow the instructions accordingly.
Downloads
- TWRP for Moto G7 (codename: river): twrp-3.3.1-0-river.img (Official) | twrp-3.3.1-0-river.img (Unofficial)
- TWRP for Moto G7 Plus (codename: lake): twrp-3.3.1-0-lake.img
- Latest Magisk Installer zip from here
- copy-partitions-AB.zip
We will try our best to keep the download links up-to-date with the latest TWRP builds. However, we suggest that you always make sure that you check for the latest version for Moto G7 (river) here and Moto G7 Plus (lake) here.
How to Install TWRP Recovery on Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus
Since the Moto G7 series support the new A/B partition scheme, installing TWRP on it is a two-step process. First, you will need to temporarily boot the TWRP recovery image using fastboot and then flash the recovery image using the ‘Install Recovery Ramdisk’ option. Just follow the instructions below.
- Download the TWRP recovery image for your Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus.
- Copy the download image file to the folder where the ADB and Fastboot binaries are installed (e.g. C:\adb).
- Hold the SHIFT key and right-click on an empty space inside the folder.
- Select the ‘Open PowerShell window here‘ option from the menu that appears.
- Now, power off your Moto G7 device completely.
- Hold the Volume Down and Power buttons together to boot your phone into Bootloader Mode.
- Connect your phone to the PC using the USB cable.
- Enter the following command in the PowerShell window to confirm that your phone is being detected over fastboot:
fastboot devices
- The output should be a device ID. If it doesn’t show any devices connected, then make sure that you have installed the appropriate USB drivers on your PC.
- Now, enter the command below to temporarily boot TWRP:
- On Moto G7:
fastboot boot twrp-3.3.1-0-river.img
- On Moto G7 Plus:
fastboot boot twrp-3.3.1-0-lake.img
- On Moto G7:
- Your phone should now enter into TWRP recovery mode.
- In TWRP, go to the ‘Advanced‘ menu.
- Tap on the ‘Install Recovery Ramdisk‘ option.
- Navigate to the phone’s internal storage and select the TWRP recovery image file.
- Finally, swipe the button to permanently install TWRP on Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus.
Once the file has been flashed, go back to the TWRP main menu. Do not reboot your phone into the system yet. Permanently installing TWRP modifies the boot partition and will trigger DM-Verity when the device boots. And thus it will cause a bootloop.
To fix this, head to the next section to flash the Magisk installer zip to root Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus and disable DM-Verity subsequently.
How to Root Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus using Magisk
- Select the ‘Install’ button in TWRP recovery.
- Navigate to the directory where the Magisk installer zip file was transferred.
- Select the “Magisk-v19.4.zip” file.
- Tap on the “Add more Zips” button and select the “copy-partitions-AB.zip” file to add it to the flashing queue.
- Then swipe the ‘Swipe to Confirm Flash‘ button to flash the files and root Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus using Magisk.
- Finally, tap on the ‘Reboot System‘ button to reboot your phone.
Your Moto G7/G7 Plus should now be rooted using Magisk. You can go ahead and launch the Magisk Manager app. You can use it to manage superuser permissions for apps that require root, install modules for additional features, or use MagiskHide to hide root from certain root-detecting apps. With root access, you can further install modes like Dolby Atmos and ViPER4Android on your Moto G7 device to ramp up the device’s audio experience.
There you go! This was our comprehensive guide on how to install TWRP and root Moto G7/Moto G7 Plus. If you face any issues while performing the procedure, then you can let us know by commenting below.
The download link you have for copy-partitions-AB.zip is no longer working. Is this version correct: https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=1899786940962597357
Hi Matthew. I tried again on mobile and PC, and the link works. Maybe a browser problem, or you might need to login to XDA since the link is sourced from there.
Anyhow, the file you linked is correct. You can use it.
The original link is working for me now! Previously it returned an error about the file being removed. Sorry for the false alarm.
Thanks for the tutorial!
It’s alright. Happens sometimes. And you’re welcome, Matthew! I am happy that I was able to help.
Hi Dhananjay , when I originally read your instructions, I don’t think flashing copy-partitions-AB.zip was included. Maybe I missed it but I did not include this step when rooting. I have no issues with the phone but am wondering if I should now flash this zip and what are the consequences of not including this file at the time I installed Magisk – Thanks
Hi Mark. You’re correct, it wasn’t there earlier. I added it only recently when I updated the instructions.
The file is specifically for the Moto G7 (river). By default, the phone comes with Bootloader only installed on one slot (the currently active one). Which means, if you switch the slot manually, you will no longer be able to boot into device because there is no bootloader present.
The file simply copies the BL from the active slot to the inactive slot. So, in case you ever switch slots, you should be out of worries.
Now, what you have to do is: Simply boot into TWRP and flash the file if you’re using the Moto G7 (river). Then reboot back into the OS and forget about it.
Thanks -one more question. Just so I’m understanding correctly, for OTA updates, is it necessary to flash the latest firmware, reinstall TWRP and then root again – I cannot install the latest OTA update from within the Settings.
~Thanks again for all your help
Hi Mark. No, there’s no need for that anymore. Magisk has developed and adapted a more sophisticated way to install OTA updates, thanks to the A/B partition scheme.
Whenever you receive an OTA update, just follow the instructions in this guide. Just make sure that you have disabled “Automatic system updates” in Settings > System > Developer options. This will prevent the update from automatically installing while your device is rooted.
Hi Dhananjay, I’m getting a message “system update unsuccessful”. I inadvertently downloaded TWRP A/B retention prior to uninstalling Magisk, would that make a difference? I uninstalled Magisk and selected Restore Images then tried update which was unsuccessful
Thanks again for your help
Hi Mark. You didn’t have to uninstall Magisk completely, that’s where things went wrong. Just use the Restore images option, then install the OTA, and then before rebooting, install Magisk to the inactive slot via Magisk Manager.
First of all, re-root your phone again. Then follow the steps in the linked guide again, as mentioned.
Sorry, I meant to say that I selected the uninstall option in Magisk, then “restore images”. I did not completely uninstall. After the “restoration done” message, I tried to update but I’m still getting “system update unsuccessful”. Any suggestions on where to trouble shoot this. Would it have anything to do with previously flashing the copy-partitions-AB.zip since the OTA is updating the inactive slot?
~Sorry for all the questions
Hi again, Mark. No, that zip only flashes the bootloader to the second slot (That’s how it should have been in the first place). So, it should hinder in installing the OTA update, as far as my experience tells me. The OTA packages only check the /system, /vendor, and /boot partitions for modifications.
Let’s recap a bit. After rooting, what modifications did you perform to the software? Let me know. These “modifications” include things like Magisk Modules, editing build.prop or any other file in the /system partition, etc.
Actually, I’ve made no modifications to date, only unlocked the bootloader and rooted. I do see that the active partition is B, not sure if that makes a difference or if the phone comes stock like that. If the inactive slot is somehow corrupted, would that prevent an update?
Yes, it could. When you rooted, which slot was active? Was it “a”? In your case, It could be the only possibility of preventing the update.
As previously reported on xda-developers:
We got a new Moto G7 for my wife and following the instructions here https://www.thecustomdroid.com/install-twrp-root-moto-g7-plus-guide/, I successfully rooted the phone. However, there was a security update that needed to be installed, so with some great advice from ptn107, see https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g7/help/invalid-zip-file-format-trying-to-t3977463, I flashed the updated ROM onto the phone. (Note that I omitted ‘fastboot erase userdata’. Also note that the warning message ‘is-logical:: not found’ was seen for all flash commands.)
The phone booted properly after the update, so I then went through the exact same rooting steps that had worked previously. However, this time, the phone gets stuck in a boot loop. I reflashed the ROM and can boot successfully, but the phone is no longer rooted. (I have tried this twice, with Magisk 19.3 and 19.4 – same result.)
Any ideas as to what I may be doing incorrectly? More importantly, what is the best way forward?
Hi Gerry. I think you should not have omitted the command (fastboot erase userdata). It is wise to use this command when you want to restore the stock firmware completely.
The first thing to understand here is that your phone uses the AB partition scheme. So, when you install the OTA, it is installed to the other (inactive) slot.
Below, you will be guided to restore the stock firmware on both the slots to prevent any further disruptions.
First check which slot your phone is currently running on. You can do so by issuing the following command while your phone is in Fastboot mode:
fastboot getvar current-slotThis should output the current active slot (a or b).
Once you know which slot your device is currently on, simply follow the same instructions to restore the stock firmware as linked by the XDA member. Do not miss the ‘fastboot erase userdata’ command (Take a backup beforehand, all data including the internal storage will be wiped off). At this point, you will be flashing the firmware to the currently active slot.
Let your phone boot and set it up. When done, reboot back into bootloader/fastboot mode and issue the following command to switch from the current active slot to the inactive slot.
If your current active slot was “a”, then the command would be:
fastboot --set_active=bOr, if it was “b”, then it would be:
fastboot --set_active=aNow, reboot the bootloader to ensure that the slot has been successfully switched:
fastboot reboot-bootloaderIt is now that you have to flash the same stock firmware (like you did previously) to the current active slot (Your now inactive slot was already flashed earlier, right?). Again, do not miss the ‘fastboot erase userdata’ command. Once done, your phone will reboot and you can set it up.
Now, you have the stock firmware on both the slots. There’s no need to switch up any slots now. Just go ahead and install the latest OTA update from within the Settings.
When this all is done, let me know so that I can guide you further and also on how to prevent this from happening again.
Hi Dhananjay, I had just unlocked the bootloader so all internal data was wiped and when I rebooted for the first time I elected not to use a password. I then downloaded TWRP (and Magisk) and placed it in the phone’s internal storage. Booted TWRP from PC, went to Install Recovery Ramdisk but files were encrypted. TWRP did not prompt for a password. Phone is a G7. Thanks for your help!
Hi Mark. It seems like this is a TWRP-related bug. I have seen Mi A1 users face the same earlier when TWRP was based on the Android Pie source code.
Do you have an external SD card?
Yes. I moved both TWRP and Magisk to SD and flashed from there. Rebooted into system and confirmed root. Booted again to recovery and confirmed TWRP is functioning normally. Thanks for your help Dhananjay, I’ve bookmarked your site
Hi Mark! I am glad it worked. I will make sure to add this point to the guide. Could you please confirm two more things? These are:
1) Boot your Moto G7 into TWRP, go to the Install menu and check now if the folder/files are still encrypted? (Without setting a password/PIN/Fingerprint/Pattern)
2) Check the same, but this time, set a PIN in the OS and then boot into TWRP. See if TWRP prompts for a password to decrypt and are the folder/files still encrypted?
Lastly, thank you so much for the appreciated. I am happy to help, you can always reach back to me if you face any issues.
I disabled device security and booted TWRP – files show encrypted. I then set a pin and rebooted TWRP – files still encrypted with no prompt for password. I hope this helps. Thanks again!
-Mark
Great! We can conclude that it’s an issue with TWRP, either there’s a bug or the current version is not compliant with the changes in the latest firmware update for the G7. Thanks!
I have the same issue. Used fastboot command to boot TWRP which was successful but files are encrypted. TWRP did not prompt me to enter a password.
Hi Mark. Please state the exact device that you’re using, is it the Moto G7 or the Moto G7 Plus?
Also, do let me know if you have a PIN/Password set within the OS?
I’m following your thorough instructions to get TWRP Recovery and Magisk on my new G7. Thank you for making them available.
One baffling hangup is the twrp-3.3.1-0-river.img file. I pushed it to internal storage (from macOS if that makes any difference) and have instead a bunch strange files on the G7. Not the concise single file of your example. See this screenshot
Now I’m super concerned about going further and am not sure where TWRP was left.
Hi Don. No need to worry about it. It simply means that your storage is encrypted and is not decrypted by TWRP yet.
During the TWRP installation instructions, after you boot the TWRP image using the ‘fastboot boot’ command, were you prompted to enter a password at any point?
I bricked my phone. Hellllllllp me please
Hi Johnny. Could you please let me know the device name, and also where exactly during the instructions did the phone brick?