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My son has a Motorola Moto G73 5G (XT2237-2), always used it normally without trying to root it. So the bootloader has not been unlocked.

It is stuck in a boot loop. I can boot into fastboot mode (by pressing power and volume down) and then into recovery, but I am not allowed to change anything.

While the phone was still working properly we should of course have enabled Developer Options, Allow USB Debugging and Allow OEM Unlocking, but it is too late for those.

Is there another way to get to the data before doing a reset?

  • If side-loading the firmware in recovery mode is possible, I guess that would wipe the data, but mounting in recovery mode (to save any content) does not seem to work.
  • I tried accessing the phone with fastboot and adb (from the linux prompt) and the phone recorded receiving the commands fastboot oem unlock and fastboot flashing unlock, but then that was not allowed because we had not allowed unlocking from the Developer Options menu.
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  • "Is there another way to get to the data before doing a reset?" - No unfortunately. Commented Mar 27 at 4:28
  • Ah that's a shame -- in the recovery menu there is an option to mount the system, so I hoped a reverse sideload (?) may be possible. But presumably that requires adb which requires USB debugging enabled? Commented Mar 27 at 8:06
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    Thanks for sharing your insights, really appreciated! But a corrupted flash chip, that sounds a bit beyond the domain of DIY repair solutions. I fear his data are lost then? Commented Mar 27 at 11:02
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    Not all data is lost. As I said, you can use the "Install update from internal storage" to see which files are there. Commented Mar 27 at 12:20
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    you can see them but not access them, that is a tantalising situation -- so if that is not possible and sideloading is not an option, not sure which options are left for those with limited hacking skills :) Commented Mar 28 at 8:22

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Unfortunately, if USB debugging was not enabled before the boot loop started, accessing your data before a reset is very difficult. Since fastboot and mounting storage aren't working, your options are limited.

You can try booting into stock recovery mode and see if there’s a “Mount” option to access internal storage, but most stock recoveries don’t allow file transfers.

ADB in recovery mode might work if your device supports it, but it usually only allows sideloading updates, not pulling files.

If your bootloader is unlocked, you might be able to flash a custom recovery (like TWRP) to access files, but this isn't possible on locked devices.

If none of these work, you'll likely have to do a factory reset.

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  • The bootloader is locked, and even if it was unlocked and TWRP was installed, it would have to be able to decrypt /data, which most custom recoveries can't do. Commented Mar 27 at 12:23

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