Match your exact model number (XT1621–XT1626) and the carrier subsidy tag on your original box or fastboot screen (RETUS, TESCOEU, CCAWS, LATAM, MOVSTLA, etc.) before flashing. Two units with a similar model number can use completely different, incompatible firmware.
Download Firmware for Motorola Moto G4 (XT1621–XT1626 athene)
How to Flash Motorola Moto G4 (XT1621–XT1626 athene)
Lenovo Rescue and Smart Assistant (recommended for most users)
- Install Lenovo Rescue and Smart Assistant on a Windows PC
- Power off the phone, hold Volume Down + Power to enter the bootloader, then connect it via USB
- In the app, select Motorola and choose the software repair/rescue option u2014 it should detect the athene model (XT1621, XT1622, XT1624, XT1625 or XT1626) automatically
- Confirm the repair and let the tool download and flash the matching stock firmware over fastboot without disconnecting the device
- Once it finishes and the phone reboots, confirm the new Android version under Settings > About phone
flashfile.bat / CFC XML fastboot script
- Install the Motorola USB drivers and fastboot platform-tools on your PC, then extract the athene firmware package matching your exact model and subsidy tag (for example XT1622 TESCOEU or XT1625 CCAWS)
- Boot the phone into fastboot mode (Volume Down + Power) and connect it with a reliable USB cable
- athene CFC packages bake the subsidy tag into the filename itself, for example XT1621_ATHENE_LATAM_7.0_NPJS25.93-14-15_cid50_subsidy-LATAM_CFC.xml, so confirm that filename matches your model and subsidy before running flashfile.bat from a command prompt in that folder
- If only the .xml file is provided, convert it to a batch script and run the generated script; it writes the same gpt, bootloader, radio and system partitions the manual method below flashes individually
- Let the device reboot once the script completes; first boot can take a few minutes while apps optimize
Manual fastboot flash (advanced, partition-by-partition)
- Extract the firmware zip and identify the individual images you need: gpt.bin, bootloader.img, boot.img, system.img, and any modem or vendor partitions included in your specific package
- Boot into fastboot mode and confirm the device is detected with fastboot devices
- Flash the partitions in order, for example fastboot flash partition gpt.bin, fastboot flash bootloader bootloader.img, fastboot flash boot boot.img, then fastboot flash system system.img
- Optionally run fastboot erase cache and fastboot erase userdata for a clean start; this wipes data
- Reboot with fastboot reboot and confirm the boot-image or bootloop issue is resolved
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I confirm my exact Moto G4 variant?
Check the model number printed under the SIM tray or in Settings > About phone, or read the model and product line shown on the fastboot screen (athene XT162x) u2014 it must match the firmware you download.
Can I flash XT1625 RETUS firmware on a different athene variant?
Cross-flashing between athene models is risky because of regional and hardware differences, so keep to your exact model and matching subsidy tag (for example XT1622 with TESCOEU) to avoid breaking modem behavior or future OTA updates.
Does reflashing stock firmware change the bootloader lock state?
No, stock firmware restores the system and boot images only. Locking or unlocking the bootloader is a separate step that still needs Motorola's official unlock-token process and explicit fastboot lock/unlock commands.
Will this wipe my data?
Most athene flashing scripts include a userdata wipe, and even when they don't, mixing old data with a different build can cause instability, so plan for a full wipe and back up anything important first.
Can I upgrade past Android 7.0 with these files?
No, official support for the Moto G4 stops at Android 7.0 Nougat. Anything newer needs a custom ROM, which is outside the scope of stock firmware.
What if my phone only shows up as a Qualcomm device and won't enter fastboot mode?
That points to a deeper brick than normal fastboot firmware can fix. You would need a blank-flash package and a dedicated unbrick procedure before the stock firmware above can be flashed again.