Systemless Root Method for Moto X Style on Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Besides the Nexus devices, Moto X Style on Android 6.0 Marshmallow has also received systemless root method, which means you can root your Moto X Style without modifying the system partition. The benefits of systemless root are it is easier to unroot (just factory reset), easier to apply OTA updates (just reflash stock boot image) and it will not soft brick your device.

In this guide, we show you how to root (systemless root) Moto X Style XT1572 BR on Android 6.0 Marshmallow without modifying the system partition. Thanks to XDA user ivcarlos for his modified boot image that makes systemless root possible on Moto X Style.

Systemless root is Chainfire’s latest SuperSU’s (SuperSU 2.56 Beta) experimental feature. Since it is an experimental feature, it might have many bugs that have not been fixed yet. Also, the below method apply only for Moto X Style XT1572 BR with Marshmallow (build MPH24.49-18).

Systemless Root Method for Moto X Style on Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Disclaimer: Follow the instruction at your own risk. We will not be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components. It is recommended for technically talented users only.

Warning: This is experimental. Rooting your phone should do with extreme care; otherwise you will end-up with a bricked device. Backup data on your phone.

Prerequisites:

a) Clean and unrooted Moto X Style XT1572 BR and Unlocked bootloader
b) ADB and Fastboot driver installed on your computer. Follow this guide for details.
c) Motorola drivers installed on your computer. If not, download from here.

Instruction:

1. Download Chainfire’s SuperSU 2.56 Beta zip [HERE] and unzip the file to get Superuser.apk. Move the file to ADB installation folder.

2. Download su zip, modified boot image.zip, original boot image.zip [HERE], (see attached files) unzip them and save all the files – ‘su.img’, ‘boot.img’, and original boot.img, inside the ADB installation folder.

 

3. Enable USB debugging on your phone (Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging), then connect your phone to your computer.

4. Open a command window from ADB installation folder and issue the below commands one by one:

adb push su.img /data/local/tmp
adb install Superuser.apk

5. Now issue the below command to reboot your device into fastboot/bootloader mode:

adb reboot bootloader

6. Now, issue the below command to flash modified boot image:

fastboot flash boot boot.img

7. Finally, reboot your phone by issuing the below command:

fastboot reboot

Note: To apply OTA update, just flash the provided original boot image.

You can read more about this root method and discussion at the XDA thread [HERE]. If you come across any issue, leave it in the comment section below.