What is a Motorola ID?

It seems that every time you set up a phone, the manufacturer wants you to not only log into Google, but register for their own system. Acer ID, Samsung account, LG Account — and Motorola ID, which we're prompted for on our lovely Moto X or Moto G.
So, just was is this Motorola ID used for, and do you really need to use it?
Let's find out together.
You remember that Google owned Motorola for a while, right?
Before you get the wires crossed, Motorola ID isn't just for the suite of Motorola apps, except for Motorola Connect — Motorola's method for letting you see/respond to texts and calls on the computer — and Moto Help, which is essentially a portal to the support section of the Motorola website. And the website is where your Motorola ID is key, but you may not even really remember making one. See, for most people, your Motorola ID is your Google account, which makes logging in a little easier.
Actually, a Google account is preferred, hence that little blurb under the Motorola ID login about how you can log in with a Motorola ID and then link it up to Google. Apart from the usefulness on your Moto device, it's also handy on support sites, such as the Motorola forums (opens in new tab), where you can get help from fellow owners and Motorola staff — and where you can participate in the Motorola Feedback Network, which provides soak tests.
On your Moto X
On your Moto X, shortly after you initially set up the phone, you'll be asked in one of several staggered notifications about enabling features if you'd like to turn on the native anti-theft guards. These duplicate Android Device Manager in a lot of ways (most ways, actually), but unlike Android Device Manager, which won't prompt you for administrator access so it can wipe itself if you're ever mugged, Motorola asks for this up front so you're prepared.
Moto Help also uses your Motorola ID to help speed things along when you need to chat about what's wrong with your phone. As someone who's had to use this feature a fair bit, I can vouch for how nice it is to not have to answer 50 questions about who I am and where I am before I get down to what my problem actually is.
The last main app to use your Motorola ID is Moto Connect, which uses the Motorola ID in order to connect your phone and computer together and allow you access to your phone even when it's not right in front of you. Moto Connect will allow you to answer texts while working without switching screens every 30 seconds. It may not seem like much, but anything that helps cut down on eye strain is a blessing in my book.
On future devices
Motorola ID doesn't do too terribly much right now — though what it does is quite important — and considering most Motorola IDs are Google Accounts, we wish that there were a little more that they did. I, for instance, have been through three Moto X 2013s and am currently on a Moto X 2014, and with each device, I have to wait for it to re-learn my patterns in Moto Assist for Driving and the like. If Motorola ID were able to transfer this data, or at least part of it (the Bluetooth devices that are recognized as vehicles in Driving), I'd be a very happy camper.
So, when you get popped the question of logging in with your Motorola ID, don't panic. It's nothing invasive, and your login information is closer than you think. Is there anything else you wish it was used for? Or do you think Motorola ID has gone far enough?
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Ara Wagoner was a staff writer at Android Central. She themes phones and pokes YouTube Music with a stick. When she's not writing about cases, Chromebooks, or customization, she's wandering around Walt Disney World. If you see her without headphones, RUN. You can follow her on Twitter at @arawagco.
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A Google account is enough. Good Lord! Posted via the Android Central App
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First thing you do when you get a Motorola phone is disable the Motorola bloatware. Posted via the Android Central App
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There is none...? Posted via the finally lag-free LG G3 on CM12
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That's kind of lime saying "first thing you do when you get a car: take off the propellers." Posted via the Android Central App
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wait you dont have propellers on your car?
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No, he took them off. Pay attention!
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Lol. Posted from my Motorola Moto G
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There ain't any bloatware on the moto series ,you chump! But if you are using a droid then be specific...... Posted via the Android Central App
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WOW, yes there is, and it integrated into the OS so the average person can't disable it.
Don't believe there is MOTO bloat, compare a True stock google device to the MOTO X. I have a Nexus 4 and a Moto X 2014 both on 5.0, well actually my nexus 4 is on 5.0.1
but there is so much MOTO stuff you can't disable. like that stupid DEMO
or moto care. For god sake MOTO, i know how to work a phone.
STOP ALREADY, JUST STOP!
it should have a choice when you set it up, total noob or i have a brain. -
Well just in case their is any LOL Posted via the Android Central App
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Like I said I only use a Google account. I'm a Samsung user and I disable everything I don't use. I also use the Google Note Launcher. Posted via the Android Central App
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Well there you go, Samsung is the bloat ware Queen. Motorola has, essentially, none. There are a couple Motorola apps (three or four I believe), but they're actually useful ones.
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I really hate to say this, but no bloat is the main reason why I wanted a Note 4 instead of a Nexus 6. I need the bloat. Otherwise I would just go buy a cheap Chinese phone with the same specs for half the price. Rooted GS3 FreedomPop(MVNO) Rooted LG G2, Stock Galaxy Note 4", Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, Galaxy Note 3
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Exactly Posted via the Android Central App
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It is all upsetting. Every company wants to track what you do now. Every device, every store, every purchase, every website, etc. And sure, they always have some "good reason", but most people rarely question this stuff. And when you set up an account that has ANY cross-referenable information, trust me, it is used and linked. What Google can track now is already troubling, which is why I often severely restrict what info I will give them and what services I use with Google. Too many eggs in one basket isn't always a good idea. It certainly isn't convenient to protect privacy and enhance security, but people will choose convenience almost every time nowadays... without hardly a second thought.
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Well, thankfully there will be a few articles about disabling and checking the security policies on the Moto X (and other Moto devices) coming soon. I'm not terribly worried about using Google SSO for Motorola since they're only using that as the credentials, not using Google as a whole for the storage.
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What about Moto G?
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Moto G should use a Motorola ID for the same things, and the Privacy Policy can be found in the same places. Moto Help app > settings > Privacy Policy.
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Exactly.
And for Ara to end the article by saying "its nothing invasive" when she hasn't got a CLUE about what gets uploaded there is just irresponsible. I have the same thing(ish) on my HTC phones, and there is no way I'm enabling any of that stuff.
Every place you let your phone log into is another point of remote monitoring, data sifting, data capture, etc. You give that app total network access. It accesses sites beyond your country's boarders and sends god knows what? Have we learned nothing in the iCloud incident? Are we still that gullible that we willingly hand over the castle keys just because they make some vague suggestions that things will go easier for us if we have trouble? -
Actually, I know it's not invasive because of what's stated in the Privacy Policy that Motorola and users agree to. And don't worry, that's coming soon.
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That just says what they might do with the data they collect. It doesn't necessarily say exactly WHAT data they collect, and what data they might have sitting around on their servers. Pretty sure iCloud and Sony had privacy policies in place too. And Target. And Adobe, Home Depot, Ebay, TJ Max, JP Morgan, .... If I don't absolutely need it, I never sign up for it.
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Makes total sense. The biggest joke is when someone says "it's free". Haha I guess they don't value their own identity because company's are making money off of their identity LOL Posted via the Android Central App
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I've never heard someone say it is "free". With whom do you hang out,bro? 'Cause whoever it is has some serious grey matter issues to deal with..... Posted via the Android Central App
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Ara Wagner my main issue is having numerous accounts with my info spread all over the place. I just need one account (Google) and that's it. It's not a paranoid thing either. I just like keeping track of my online footprint. Posted via the Android Central App
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I agree, two step authentication for my Microsoft and Google Accounts. Don't use your real name on the internet, and use secure browsing methods for your desktop browser. Posted via the Android Central App
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Exactly! Sounds very responsible. Posted via the Android Central App
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Really? The purpose is for advertising, that's it. Is what people buy really that personal of a thing? I don't care who knows what I buy, or where I buy it. It's just a product, big whoomp! Posted via the Android Central App
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If you don't care, then you don't value your privacy and probably don't understand computer science. What you purchase says a *lot* about who you are and what you do. When that information is linked across time location and other data, it can become dangerous as files that supposedly describe you (without ever really knowing you) are created, stored, and shared. You can be discriminated against in the future for past assumptions that are made based on supposed purchases. However, the data being collected now from phones can be for a LOT more than just purchases.... how about how you travel, what apps you install, where you travel, where you live, who you associate with, where you work, etc, etc.
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Can't wait to ditch Google /android because of all the synced bloatware. Google/ Samsung swears I need it to do what I want it to do,but the truth is it doesn't do what I want it to do. It hasn't for a few yrs now. It mostly does what Google wants it to.
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I tried unlock the bootloader and could not until I disconnected from moto id. Just a FYI. Posted via AC app by way of my right thumb.
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I have a rooted Note 3 and I actually use a couple of Samsung's bloatware apps. You need a Samsung account to get updates to their bloat, so I have one. Won't use the Tmobile My Account app because it knows of you are rooted. Just sayin Posted via the Android Central App
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The only Samsung app I use is the Music player. Posted via the Android Central App