Moto E
Motorola Moto E Android Central

Motorola's first generation Moto E (2014) is among select Android devices to have received unofficial CynaogenMod 12.1 build. Ahead of Motorola's official roll-out, senior XDA member, scritch007 has made an unofficial build of CM12.1 featuring Google's newest Android Lollipop version 5.1 for the original Moto E.

The alpha build has few bugs and cannot be used as a daily driver. Some of the common CM12.1 bugs throwing force close include;

  • SIM card is not working in first slot." System ui fc"
  • Video recording not works.
  • Dialer crashes when typing this code *#06#
  • After installing apk "package installer has stopped"
  • Settings -->mobile networks "system ui fc"
  • Settings-->about phone-->contributor "system ui fc"
  • Memory leakage issue present in this build.
  • Dialer-->settings-->calling account "system ui fc"
  • Play cyanogenmod lollipop game and press back button "system ui fc"

ROM info

  • ROM OS version: 5.1.x Lollipop
  • ROM Kernel: Linux 3.4.x
  • ROM Firmware Required: TWRP Recovery
  • Based on: CyanogenMod

Working List

  • RIL
  • Wi-Fi
  • Gallery Video

Not working/issues

  • No video recording, even if app says it works.
  • For dual SIM do not plug any SIM in the first slot, the SIM will work but will make the system crash. The second slot is working fine. Data/call/SMS. After second SIM is configured for data and soon, it seems like we can replug first SIM in and FC stop appearing.
  • Problem with the media scanner after rebooting when sdcard contains many files.

If you want to try out the alpha CM12.1 build based on Android 5.1 on Moto E, head over to the following installation guide.

Points to remember

  • Before following the installation guide, create backup of all important data of the phone using custom recovery.
  • Enable USB Debugging on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Navigate to Settings>> About phone. Tap on Build Number several times until a message appears saying 'You are now a Developer.' Now enable USB Debugging Mode by navigating to Settings>> Developer Options.]
  • The Moto E should have above 80% battery charge to avoid power off during the process which could damage the device.
  • The phone should be rooted with the latest recovery system installed on it. Also, it should have an unlocked bootloader.
  • As the CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM is in beta stage, all features might not function properly.
  • The CyanogenMod 12.1 beta firmware works with Moto E 1st Gen. Flashing this on any incorrect variant might brick the device. Therefore, verify the model number of the device.
  • After flashing the ROM if the device gets stuck on booting animation or experience boot loop then perform wipe cache partition and wipe dalvik cache for a few times before rebooting the device.
  • Once the ROM is installed, users are advised to give 10 minutes to the ROM after the device boots up for the first time for better user experience.

Download links

Unofficial CyanogenMod 12.1 build

Gapps

How to install unofficial CyanogenMod 12.1 build with Android 5.1 Lollipop on Moto E 1st Gen

Step 1: Copy the ROM and Gapps package to the phone's internal storage. Remember the location where you have saved the files

Step 2: Install TWRP custom recovery on your phone. For instruction click here

Step 3: Boot the phone into recovery mode via adb, hardware buttons or, if you phone is rooted, use the QuickBoot app

Step 4: In the recovery mode, create a backup of the current ROM. From the TWRP recovery, select Backup, then do a swipe on Swipe to Back Up option

Step 5: Perform factory reset. For this select Wipe and do a swipe on Swipe to Factory Reset option at the bottom of the screen

Step 6: When the process is completed return to the main recovery menu and select Install. Head over to CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM, select it and click Swipe to Confirm Flash option on the bottom of the screen. Now wait until the flashing process is competed

Step 7: Now flash Gapps following the similar procedure

Step 8: When the installation process is completed, go to the recovery menu and select Reboot then select System.

When the Moto E boots up successfully, it should be updated and running on CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM based on Android 5.1 Lollipop.

[Source: XDA via Android Soul]