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Android Re-Installation Question

Tessando
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Last Modified: 2020-03-24
I have a client with a "bricked" Motorola G6 Phone (e.g. MotoG6). The client can't remember the PIN code and doesn't recall the Google Account associated with the phone.

The phone number is long gone.

Is there a way to reformat this so that it's reset to the factory standards? I've done a half-dozen or so YouTube tutorials, but all rely on the previous Google account to be known.

Is there a way to put the Android OS on an SD card and, for all intent and purpose, "start over"? I've seen the term "root"... is that the same as reinstalling the operating system for Windows (e.g. "nuke and pave")?

Thanks!
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☠ MASQ ☠
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Most Valuable Expert 2013

Commented:
Power the phone down then hold the +volume and power button see if you can launch the Android bootloader menu. If you can then navigate using vol +/- with power to select.
Hello ThereSystem Administrator
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Commented:
You need to press down the volume down button, then press the power button. After that, you get into the special mode so you can reset the phone to factory defaults.
https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-217710/
☠ MASQ ☠
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Commented:
If the phone was running Lollipop though you'll also need to bypass FRP
See the lower half of this page on your options
https://www.fonepaw.com/android-lock/enable-bypass-factory-reset-protection.html
TessandoIT Administrator

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Commented:
Thanks guys. I've tried four of the choices from the built-in choices (e.g. Restart Bootloader, Recovery Mode, Factory Mode, BP Tools) but nothing seems to be doing what I want it to do.

Is there a way to literally re-install these operating system for Android?

Thanks!
Jackie Man IT Manager
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Commented:
Is there a way to literally re-install these operating system for Android?

No, and the bundled Android OS is Oreo - 8.0, not Android Lollipop 5.1.

I've seen the term "root"... is that the same as reinstalling the operating system for Windows (e.g. "nuke and pave")?

You need to unlock the bootloader before you can root the phone.

The bootloader is locked. Unless your client has unlocked the bootloader (which is very unlikely), you cannot install a third-party Android OS (not from Motorola).

What you can do is a factory reset, but the phone has Google Factory Reset Protection (FRP) lock and you need to know the Google account and password which has been used for its initial setup.

https://www.lifewire.com/bypass-google-account-verification-on-android-devices-4582588

The only option remains is to do a bruce-force guess of the PIN code.
TessandoIT Administrator

Author

Commented:
This is great, peeps! Thanks for the clarification, now I know.

Since the client started this process, I am not able to get into the Settings of the phone. This really means that I'm stuck in a loop of a Google Account signing in (with the confirmed correct password) but still not working.

Is there a way to use the APK method by putting on an SD Card and booting from the SD Card? I believe I saw that option when I got to the loader screen for choices.

Thanks again for your help and effort.
IT Manager
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Commented:
Is there a way to use the APK method by putting on an SD Card and booting from the SD Card?

There is no such option.

If the Google account is correct, you can do an Google account recovery.
TessandoIT Administrator

Author

Commented:
I followed the directions for Google Account Recovery and that worked. Thanks!