Moto X How-to Guide

This is the online How-to Guide of Moto X, and Moto X 2014 (aka Moto X 2nd Gen).

It is a live page,  so the page will be regularly updated  to add more and more guides, tips and tricks for Moto X (including Moto X 2014) owners.

Please bookmark this page and come back later to find more topics.

For online manual, you may check our Moto X Online Manual.

If you want to download PDF version of the official User Guide and Get Started Guide, please visit Moto X User Manual page and Moto X 2014 User Manual page.  You can find and download the official Moto X and Moto X 2014 User Manual in your own language.

The following topics are now covered. More are on the way….

  1. How to take screenshot on Moto X without using any apps?

    You can easily take screenshot on Moto X (including Moto X 2nd Gen) without using any apps. You can take screen for any apps, home screens, apps screen, lock screen. The only exception is the videos.  This Moto X guide will show you how to use the physical buttons to take screenshot for any screens on Moto X. Read on.

  2. How to to access developer options in Moto X?

    Since Jelly Bean, the developer options are hidden in all Android devices by default. But you can easily turn it on on Moto X to access useful settings, e.g., USB debugging, or access some advanced settings to test your Moto X. This Moto X guide shows you how to enable and use developer options in Moto X. Read on....

  3. How to add custom ringtones for Moto X?

    In addition to the pre-installed ringtones, you can use your own music files to customize Moto X ringtones.  You can even assign different ringtones for different contacts in Moto X. This Moto X guide shows you how to customize Moto X ringtones. Read on….

  4. How to reset Moto X?

  5. How to setup and use Motorola Skip?

  6. How to reset Motorola Assist?

  7. How to silence your Moto X (into silent mode)?

  8. How to solve battery life problem of Moto X after KitKat (Android 4.4) update?

    Moto X has decent battery life. If you are facing battery life problem without culprit apps, this guide will show you how to solve the battery life problem on Moto X. Read on.

  9. How to add Flash Player support on Moto X (especially after KitKat update)?

    Flash is still used in many websites. But both Android and Chrome for Android dropped the official support of Flash. This does NOT mean Flash will not work on Moot X

    ! This Moto X how-to guide will show you how to install and enable Flash player on Moto X. If you updated your Moto X to Android Lollipop, or if you are using Moto X 2nd Gen, please follow this guide.
  10. How to connect Moto X with PC through USB cable?

    When you want to transfer large or many files between Moto X and PC, USB connection is usually the most reliable and fastest solution. But you need install the proper USB driver on your PC or Mac. This guide will  show you how to install the Moto X USB drive on PC and how to connect Moto X with PC through a USB cable. The guide was written for Moto G, but it works identically for Moto X, including Moto X 2nd generation.  Read on….

  11. How to manage files on Moto X with ES File Explorer File Manager?

    Moto X does not have its own file manager. If you need manage files (e.g., adding custom ringtones for Moto X), you need install a file manager from Play store.  In this guide, I will show you how to install and use one of the most popular (and free) file manager. The guide was written for Moto E originally, but it works identically for Moto X, including Moto X 2nd generation, and Moto G, including Moto G 2nd Gen. Read on

  12. How to use Wi-Fi Direct to transfer files on Moto G, Moto E and Moto X? (This guide was written for Moto G. It works for Moto X as well, including Moto X 2nd gen)

  13. How to use USB On-The-Go (USB OTG) to expand Moto X storage?

    Moto X, Moto X 2nd Gen (Moto X 2014) and Moto X 3rd Gen (Moto X 2015) all do NOT support Micro SD card.  Most owners are stuck in the 16GB or 32GB internal storage. USB OTG can instantly expand the storage for your Moto X. This guide explains to you the usage of USB OTG on Moto X and Moto G. Read on..

  14. How to (check later….)

Do you need more Moto X how-to guides? or Do you have any questions or problems that are not covered by these how-to guides?

Please let us know your questions and comments in the comment box blow.

The community will try to help you.

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    • If the mp3 is already in your phone, you can navigate to a song you want to use as a phone ringtone in Music player application. Tap and hold the song in the list to open the context menu, choose Use as phone ringtone.

      The mp3 is now set as the default incoming call ringtone. You can also find it in your Phone ringtone list, so you can assign it to any specific contacts.

      You can also simply copy the mp3 file to the Ringtones folder directly. If it is on your PC, you need connect your Moto X to the PC with the USB cable.

  • How do I mute or turn off all sound? I want the easiest way to silence the phone when I go into meetings and so on.

  • The latest camera update is spoze to let you manually focus & exposure. I can't make it do anything but move the green circle around. Is there a video anywhere that shows you how to do this? I've been searching since the camera update & I can't find anything! Pls help!

    • Drag it to a desired location (to be focused), then touch the screen to take a photo.

      if you do not like this feature, you can disable it in the dial (control focus and exposure). It is the third one after the flash control.

      • Still don't get it, if they're calling it manual focus, how would I get a subject in a photo slightly out of focus by using manual control? I still can't figure out the exposure either. I'm a slow learner..... Thanks!

  • how do I attach a picture or video to a message. Everytime I try this, it just keeps saying "sending". I sent a picture on January 25th and it still says "sending".

    • Probably your MMS settings have some problems. Usually when you insert the SIM card, it is configured automatically. Anyway, you may ring the customer support of your carrier and they will sms you a message. Opening the message will apply correct settings.

        • You probably did not get the screenshot successfully. If successful, you should hear a shutter sound (unless you turn off audio) just like taking a photo.

          If you see volume level, or restart options, after press the two buttons, it means the screenshot was not taken successfully.

          • I'm having the same problem as John LeGrand and Barb. I SUCCESSFULLY took screenshots of my grandchildren visiting my 88 year old dad (sent via text by my son), but now I'm unable to find it/them ever again to forward the pictures to both my sisters! Where are they and how do I forward/share them?

  • Hi,please explain clearly how to set an mp3 song as a ringtone?in settings i cannot find my mp3 files(i copied into phone memory by connecting to pc) settings->sound->phone ringtone->then i found only default moto ringtones

    • When you copy the mp3 files from the PC, you need copy it to the Ringtones folder of the phone.

    • Probably not with the default launcher. Of course, if you change the launcher, you may have the option.

  • I have downloaded some songs from an App called "Zedge".. I have then downloaded several ringtone songs from the Zedge app...but when I click on any one of them...in the Settings of the Moto X phone...I go to the Sound...then :Phone ringtone...and then I try to select one from the zedge app...that I had already downloaded. It DID let me download a song to the "notification" part...but NOT the ringtone for when the phone is being called and it should "ring" with the desired song selection that I placed from the Zedge app... it only will answer with my old "default" ringtone that was from one of a small group of tones programed into the phone when I bought it from the Verizon dealer. ??? What is the best way to download the ringtones from Zedge...to the MOto-X smart phone? thanks
    doug

    • It could be due to some permission issues for the ringtones folder. If you can download it to the notification folder, you can copy the audio file to ringtones folder on a PC (when your Moto X is connected to the PC through the USB cable). Then set ringtones as if it is a pre-installed ringtone.

  • Hey...thanks Simon...but is it always necessary to put music /ringtones ...onto a PC...and then take those and upload them to the phone?... I have the tunes I want ...in the media library of the phone...and it shows...(under sounds...ringtones..in the settings folder of the phone)...that the "ringtone" is Sons of Anarchy theme... but when someone calls me...it is still the old default ringtone!...???? what gives ..do you think?.. thanks
    doug

    • No, you can put it anywhere on the phone. But if you put it in the ringtones folder in your phone, you don't need any apps to assign the ringtone because you can use it directly in the settings - sound - ringtones. This is more reliable.

      If you assign the ringtone successfully, but it is not used. You may check whether it's overwritten by individual contact in people app.

  • Hi I am unable to send music files from my Moto X to another device. Could someone guide me on how to do that.. Also there is no Files folder where it all is stored..

    • I meant how to send music files using bluetooth from Moto X to another device as i am not getting any option to share the files..

  • Once you download a song where does it go? How can I find it? When I download songs they don't show up in downloads.

  • Why does my camera show brown and grey-ish bands when I try to take a picture in a tube-light lit area? My phone is one day old..

  • When you wake moto X with the Google command and have it make a phone call is there a way to have it turn on the speaker phone.

  • How do I unmute the speaker to answer the phone like normal the only way it works is if I hit the speaker and talk over speaker phone problem is everyone hears my conversation...

      • Its the speaker on the phone that's muted. I cannot answer the phone without using the speakerphone option,I hope that explains it better.....

        • If a reboot and the volume settings (Settings--sound--volumes) do not solve the problem, you may have to visit the service centre or reset the phone.

    • Why not repair it?

      You can use voice commands. You can also use the proximity sensor to unlock the phone. You can also use Moto skip to unlock the phone.

      But I am not sure how to restart/reboot the phone with the power button.

  • Hi

    I hear issues in camera after the KitKat update. Some black and white lines when the camera is on. I too had this issue and I checked with my cousin who is a professional photographer for a famous magazine. He said it is quite normal under lights. Even his professional camera behaves the same way. He corrects it by using a flash.

  • hi there is an volume issue with my motox.In past my ringtone volume is very high but now I don't know how volume is decreased and I can't able to hear the sounds properly.can any one tell me what would be the issue

  • Hi, I have a Moto X and I accidentally deleted a photo album from my gallery. Is there a way I can get it back without having to log on to a computer?

    • I don't think there is an undo option. By default, your photos are backed up through Photos app to your Google account. You may check whether you can find them in Photos app.

    • You cannot save messages to SIM card on Moto X. Actually Moto X doesn't allow users to write anything to sim card.

  • Hi m using moto x since 2 Months..previously it was working well but now from few days signals started creating prblm in it...Nn from last 1week it is not showing NY signal even for 1min...I heard its coz of KitKat update??pls help nn ma Sim is working well nn fine in orders mobile

  • on my moto x sceen shot screen my text message icon came up missing how do i restore it ? Frustrated here

  • how do I get my flash to work on my camera. It does not come on when I change to on from the dial.

    • If you turn it on, it should be on when using rear camera. You need check and make sure it is on, not just auto.

      For front camera, there is no flash. You can use third-party apps to light the screen when using front camera.

  • My mom is 73 yo and I just got her a Moto X for her birthday. She is a novice and has just learned how to text. I asked her to text me a photo but she doesn't know how. I am looking for step by step directions on how to do that from her phone (as all phones have slightly different interfaces and ways to do certain steps). I asked her to hold down on the picture and send but she still didn't know how. So since she is over 600 miles away, I am asking for help. A link or a tutorial I can send to her. Thanks in advance for any help.

    • In the message app, tap the attack icon (second from top right). Then select files. This is easier.

  • How can I obtain an instruction manua for my Motorola cell phone? There is number on back of phone that reads as;
    CE0168.

    • CE0168 is NOT a model number. It is just a certification of approval for sale in certain regions as a telecommunication device.

      You need know the model (e.g., Moto X, Moto G or Moto E) when you bought the phone, aren't you? Anyway, you can check this info in Settings--about phone.

  • i have device moto x xt1049 while updating lollipop it went on dead boot how to repair it kindly tell me solution .

  • Hi. I just purchased the moto x pure and I can't play music from my sd card... I can't even find it on my phone. Ive noticed I can only play music through Google play music but can't find any of the media I have on the sd card. Also do you know of a good music player just a regular reliable default player. Thanks Simon

    • First photos app and gallery app do not have a specific folder. They show all photos on the phone. Photos app also shows photos from your Google account.

      Both of them get the list of local media files from the same source. If local photos are not showing in gallery app, you can try to clear cache and clear data for gallery app in settings - apps - all- gallery. You can also try to reboot the phone, then wait a few mins.

      Please note, Gallery app only shows photos on the phone. Photos app shows photos both on the phone and in the cloud in your Google account.

  • I have a Moto X, XT1563 and I want to download my photos.
    When I plug my USB cable from the Moto XT to my PC, the PC sees the phone and all the files but it says the files are empty.
    How do I get my PC to see the photos in the files so I can download?
    Thanks. Leroy.

    • After the phone is connected to the PC, unlock the screen once. You may also check notifications on the phone to make sure the USB option is MTP mode.

    • Voicemail is provided by your carrier. You need to check with your carrier whether your mobile plan includes voice mail.

      If your mobile plan includes one, your can access by holding key 1 of the dialer in phone app.

  • I just recently purchased a Moto XPE. When I make or receive a call I don't get the speaker icon in order to use the speaker phone capability. Why is the speaker icon missing, and is there a way to get the speaker icon back on the call screen??

  • My xt1058 phone just flickers. I tried the reset but that does not work. I can't turn it off. I don't know what to do next.

    • What happens if you:
      1. Press and hold power button for more than 7 seconds?
      2. Press and hold volume down button + power button ( 2 buttons) for more than 15 seconds?
      3. Press and hold volume down + volume up + power button (3 buttons) for more than 15 seconds)?