Related
I need Band 66 (LTE) with my Canadian provider (Freedom Mobile). Both the H918 (T-Mobile) and the H915 (Freedom Mobile) have Band 66. With my new unlocked LG V20 (T-Mobile) version running on my Canadian Freedom Mobile LTE version, all works well, with the exception of no LTE. I have done many searches and come up confused as to which way to do this. Can I use just LG UP and flash the H915 firmware over the H918 and expect all to be well with working LTE on my LG V20? Has LG Flash Tool been replaced with a newer LGUP? I'm just spinning in a forest of confusion here. Any direction would be appreciated. Thx
Wow..... 3 days have passed and no answers to my question. Have I stumped the experts?
pin2high said:
Wow..... 3 days have passed and no answers to my question. Have I stumped the experts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is never recommended to flash a firmware not meant to be for your phone. Chances are that you will brick your phone if you do. Probably that's why no one is answering because it has been said many times in different ways. And almost no one likes to be the guinea pig. Nevertheless, if you do try it with LG UP, let everybody know about your results :good:
The H918 doesn't support as many frequencies as the H910 / H915 (the H910 and H915 are the exact same phone). That could be a limitation of the radio firmware, and if it doesn't soft brick your phone, could be fixed by flashing the H915 KDZ.
Now the good news there is a KDZ for the H918, so, if you soft brick your phone -- viola -- flash the H918 KDZ and you are back to where you are.
Just a heads up though, download mode is *ALMOST* impossible to blow up, but almost is not the same as impossible. I personally have never managed to destroy download mode on an LG phone (and I have deliberately tried on several older phones - G2, G3, G4, just to see if I could recover if it happened).
However, that isn't to say that it is completely impossible (the dreaded 9008 error). Example for LG G3: https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/general/guide-fix-hard-brick-recovery-guide-t3132359
But, as you can see, even that can be fixed as long as you: 1 - have a KDZ, 2 - are willing to tear apart your phone.
Please post your results if you decide to go through with it
-- Brian
The only LG Phone that I own and remember was The E980 Optimus G Pro “the unbrickable” and thanks to att to ruin a outstanding phone simply not get the promo and the attention of the same sh** of Samsung S4 for this time.
After 2 months passing from my original post, I'm still at the end of a dark tunnel...... and no BAND 66 working on my T-Mobile H918 running on the Canadian carrier........... Freedom Mobile . Has anybody had any success running a TM (H918) on Freedom Mobile and get LTE (Band 66)?
You can't since the kdz for freedom mobile is not out yet
Sent from my XT1563 using Tapatalk
I have been looking at the FCC documents, and I seems H918 is the same hardware as the H910PR.
You can also see there that H910 and H915 are the same, as mentioned above.
I would not try to cross-flash firmware from different phones at least, if I where to do it at all.
Edit: The H918 has a unique oem configured key in the qfprom. Meaning flashing any bootloader not specific to the H918 will hard-brick your phone, at this point that is equivalent to a completely broken and useless phone.
if we can get the KDZ file maybe can get the modem
Any luck on this in the past month, or same situation still?
Freedom have had band 66 allowed to be used only on handsets sold by them, probably by white listing IMEIs. Now that they have iPhone, this might change, but my knowledge is limited.
I'm new to the LG Ecosystem and I have a few questions.
I have an LG G6 H870 from Entel in Chile, its currently on Android 7.
1) Can I flash it to something like the OPEN EU images which are newer?
Because they're all H870's are they the exact same hardware, meaning the functionality on different H870 kdzs should work fine? The Entel doesnt even have a 2018 release yet so I don't have great confidence they will update the LG G6.
2) Does flashing a KDZ affect the boot loader?
If I unlocked the bootloader for rooting would flashing the KDZ back reset it back to locked?
3) Is it safe to flash a KDZ via a virtual machine? The LG Bridge app wont detect my phone on Mac no matter what I try (High Sierra), (adb is fine iv tried the drivers etc), however it shows up when I connect it to a Windows 7 VM.
4) Is it likely that when the official Oreo 8.1 update comes it would be better to switch to something like an OPEN EU or UK image?
Or even just flash the new 8.1 KDZ when its available?
5) If I rooted and flashed something like LineageOS, can I easily go back to any of the KDZs with the LG tool?
I noticed theres an "error link which seems to download a KDZ for resetting your phone. Does that work off some kind of internal hardware serial, meaning that if things are ever soft-bricked I could just hit that button and go back to square one no problems?
6) Anything else I should be aware of or concerned about if I want to play with flashing different KDZs or custom roms? I dont care about warranty e.g. unlocked bootloader.
7) Whats the best tool for unlocking bootloader and gaining root these days, I know theres a tonne of AIO tools and things like KingRoot. Any suggestions from other LG G6 modders?
madhavajay said:
I'm new to the LG Ecosystem and I have a few questions.
I have an LG G6 H870 from Entel in Chile, its currently on Android 7.
1) Can I flash it to something like the OPEN EU images which are newer?
Because they're all H870's are they the exact same hardware, meaning the functionality on different H870 kdzs should work fine? The Entel doesnt even have a 2018 release yet so I don't have great confidence they will update the LG G6.
2) Does flashing a KDZ affect the boot loader?
If I unlocked the bootloader for rooting would flashing the KDZ back reset it back to locked?
3) Is it safe to flash a KDZ via a virtual machine? The LG Bridge app wont detect my phone on Mac no matter what I try (High Sierra), (adb is fine iv tried the drivers etc), however it shows up when I connect it to a Windows 7 VM.
4) Is it likely that when the official Oreo 8.1 update comes it would be better to switch to something like an OPEN EU or UK image?
Or even just flash the new 8.1 KDZ when its available?
5) If I rooted and flashed something like LineageOS, can I easily go back to any of the KDZs with the LG tool?
I noticed theres an "error link which seems to download a KDZ for resetting your phone. Does that work off some kind of internal hardware serial, meaning that if things are ever soft-bricked I could just hit that button and go back to square one no problems?
6) Anything else I should be aware of or concerned about if I want to play with flashing different KDZs or custom roms? I dont care about warranty e.g. unlocked bootloader.
7) Whats the best tool for unlocking bootloader and gaining root these days, I know theres a tonne of AIO tools and things like KingRoot. Any suggestions from other LG G6 modders?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) If it's just an "H870" than yes, it should be fine.
2) You cannot unlock the bootloader. Only unbranded US997 and European H870 can.
3) Never tried, it should, but in this i cannot give you a certain answer.
4) 8.1? We don't know it'll be 8.1. Anyway it's always better to flash the right firmware for your region.
5) You cannot do any kind of modding on your device atm, see the 2nd answer.
6) Flashing a wrong kdz could hard brick your device, so be careful on names. For the warranty you're good to go, you cannot do any kind of modding.
7) For G6 there is no "best" tool, there is only ONE way to unlock the bootloader but it won't work on your model (as explained in the 2nd answer), other tools like KingRoot don't work at all.
Bonus answer: No, flashing an european firmware won't allow you to unlock the bootloader.
Sorry for the noob question, it's probably been asked on here, but have not been able to find a solid answer. I have a US Cellular LG G6, which by now I know bootloader can't be unlocked. But, is there any way to update to Android Oreo? Currently on Android Nougat 7.0. thanks in advance.
FrankoHN said:
Sorry for the noob question, it's probably been asked on here, but have not been able to find a solid answer. I have a US Cellular LG G6, which by now I know bootloader can't be unlocked. But, is there any way to update to Android Oreo? Currently on Android Nougat 7.0. thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes if you use non-UScellular US997 KDZ (21B is latest) US99721b_00_0823.kdz
https://lg-firmwares.com/downloads-file/16302/US997U21b_00_0823.kdz
HueyT said:
Yes if you use non-UScellular US997 KDZ (21B is latest) US99721b_00_0823.kdz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I just want to be sure before flashing any firmware, don't want to brick my phone :crying:
FrankoHN said:
Thanks. I just want to be sure before flashing any firmware, don't want to brick my phone :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this KDZ guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g5/development/uppercut-lgup-loader-g5-variants-t3511295
FrankoHN said:
Sorry for the noob question, it's probably been asked on here, but have not been able to find a solid answer. I have a US Cellular LG G6, which by now I know bootloader can't be unlocked. But, is there any way to update to Android Oreo? Currently on Android Nougat 7.0. thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found out the hard way that there are several versions of the model US997 variant of the LG G6:
https: //lg-firmwares.c o m/lg-us997-firmwares/firmwares/
(I apologize that the forum's spam filters are preventing me from posting a working link. Just take out the spaces.)
There is a USA unlocked version, two US cellular versions, two "Brightpoint" versions (whatever that is), and an Amazon version. And they all share the same model number. This is quite confusing because with most phones, usually there is only one version per model number. If your phone is stuck on Android Nougat, chances are you're like me and you're on the USA unlocked version of this phone, not the US Cellular version. The US Cellular and Brightspot versions have all been updated to Oreo and the latest update was in September 2018.
I have no idea why LG isn't upgrading the USA unlocked version. It was very frustrating when I bought it used and found out it was still stuck on Nougat, which I was not expecting.
midtempo said:
I have found out the hard way that there are several versions of the model US997 variant of the LG G6:
https: //lg-firmwares.c o m/lg-us997-firmwares/firmwares/
(I apologize that the forum's spam filters are preventing me from posting a working link. Just take out the spaces.)
There is a USA unlocked version, two US cellular versions, two "Brightpoint" versions (whatever that is), and an Amazon version. And they all share the same model number. This is quite confusing because with most phones, usually there is only one version per model number. If your phone is stuck on Android Nougat, chances are you're like me and you're on the USA unlocked version of this phone, not the US Cellular version. The US Cellular and Brightspot versions have all been updated to Oreo and the latest update was in September 2018.
I have no idea why LG isn't upgrading the USA unlocked version. It was very frustrating when I bought it used and found out it was still stuck on Nougat, which I was not expecting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use the US997 and NOT US997U and it'll work perfectly on non-US-Cellular or US-Cellular KDZ. 21B is latest Oreo
midtempo said:
I have found out the hard way that there are several versions of the model US997 variant of the LG G6:
https: //lg-firmwares.c o m/lg-us997-firmwares/firmwares/
(I apologize that the forum's spam filters are preventing me from posting a working link. Just take out the spaces.)
There is a USA unlocked version, two US cellular versions, two "Brightpoint" versions (whatever that is), and an Amazon version. And they all share the same model number. This is quite confusing because with most phones, usually there is only one version per model number. If your phone is stuck on Android Nougat, chances are you're like me and you're on the USA unlocked version of this phone, not the US Cellular version. The US Cellular and Brightspot versions have all been updated to Oreo and the latest update was in September 2018.
I have no idea why LG isn't upgrading the USA unlocked version. It was very frustrating when I bought it used and found out it was still stuck on Nougat, which I was not expecting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the US Unlocked version has gotten the update and it's bootloader unlockable... My phone is the US997Z which is the US Cellular version. I believe you have to be connected to their service to be able to receive the update through their towers. I went ahead a upgraded my LG G6 with the US unlocked version kdz as the @HueyT mentions above. Update went great using LG up and uppercut no set back going through the update. If you need help I would happily help you out. Because I was in the same boat as you.
FrankoHN said:
Actually the US Unlocked version has gotten the update and it's bootloader unlockable... My phone is the US997Z which is the US Cellular version. I believe you have to be connected to their service to be able to receive the update through their towers. I went ahead a upgraded my LG G6 with the US unlocked version kdz as the @HueyT mentions above. Update went great using LG up and uppercut no set back going through the update. If you need help I would happily help you out. Because I was in the same boat as you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very strange that some versions of the LG G6 "US997" are not updated to Oreo yet and other ones with this version are. But if there is anyone out there reading this, you know know there is a workaround and you can force your computer to update the firmware on your LG G6 with the official LG ROM that runs Android Oreo.
For the $254 I paid for this phone used, with a case and the original charger, I can live with a phone that I have to update manually if I won't get OTA updates for some reason. And I did not break the phone's security because I'm still able to use Google Pay and online banking.
Without AT&T's help?
No, you can contact AT&T, https://www.att.com/deviceunlock
Yes you can. I've done it with a site called unlockplus.
Here you go. Flash one of these KDZ to carrier unlock the phone. You want the ones that say "open" -- which means they are not locked to a carrier.
https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-lmv350ulm-firmwares/firmwares/
https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-lmv350em-firmwares/firmwares/
Top link is for North America Google Fi variant.
Bottom link is for Central/South America -- but if you use that, you do NOT want Claro. You want the other one (carrier unlocked) MIA.
Yeah, flashing an unlocked firmware won't unlock this device. Why in the world would you post something ridiculous like this? How can you have 8185 posts and not know what unlocking means? smh
zeek6228 said:
Yeah, flashing an unlocked firmware won't unlock this device. Why in the world would you post something ridiculous like this? How can you have 8185 posts and not know what unlocking means? smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your saying that wont work.. I was just about to figure out how to flash it. Good thing i didnt or i would have more than likely bricked it.
zeek6228 said:
Yeah, flashing an unlocked firmware won't unlock this device. Why in the world would you post something ridiculous like this? How can you have 8185 posts and not know what unlocking means? smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you know, you're replying to a guy who (besides other feats) made it possible for anyone to carrier unlock virtually any LG V30 model no matter what carrier it was on previously. And that was made exactly by crossflashing. So yeah, I would kinda listen to him.
zeek6228 said:
Yeah, flashing an unlocked firmware won't unlock this device. Why in the world would you post something ridiculous like this? How can you have 8185 posts and not know what unlocking means? smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because that's EXACTLY how we carrier unlock the LG V30/V30+. We flash carrier unlocked firmware over carrier locked firmware -- specifically AT&T and Sprint variants. The principle should be the same with the AT&T LG V35.
Besides the two carrier locked North American LG V30 phones (AT&T & Sprint), some of the European LG V30 are also carrier locked. Cross flashing the region appropriate "open market" firmware carrier unlocks them.
I haven't done it on LG V35, but I've done it many, many times on the predecessor LG V30/V30+.
We flash V30 firmware and forth at will to carrier unlock the phones, get fastboot flash commands, bootloader unlock, install TWRP and root. The simplest of all these goals is carrier unlock.
____________
MorbidMonkey101 said:
So your saying that wont work.. I was just about to figure out how to flash it. Good thing i didnt or i would have more than likely bricked it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He says it won't work. Whereas I've carrier unlocked several LG V30/V30+ doing EXACTLY that. And so have hundreds of other people. I've written a couple of guides on the subject.
While I've not done it on LG V35, I suggested this method because it seems reasonable and logical based on the immediate V30 predecessor.
Something similar (cross flashing) also worked on the LG V20. However, in both cases we had Dev Patched LGUP to use. IF it doesn't work for the LG V35, that would be why -- because perhaps the appropriate .dll has not been used to create LG V35 dev patched LGUP.
I can't guarantee it will work on LG V35, the way I can guarantee it does for the LG V30.
lg V35
You can flash it and it will boot (not dead, frozen or stuck in Qualcomm 9008 mode like when you normally flash mismatched firmware, picks up signal fine)
Yes I am aware of how to unlock G6, V30 and G7 by flashing a different firmware and I have unlocked several HUNDRED of them. Even LS998 on V22B firmware.
This will flash successfully (I use Octopus tool, the newest LGUP tool is not released so can't do it that way) but it will still show the V350AWM model and will still be locked to AT&T. Only it will remove the AT&T bloatware.
It is a good solution to flash these if you brick your device. But it won't unlock them.
zeek6228 said:
You can flash it and it will boot (not dead, frozen or stuck in Qualcomm 9008 mode like when you normally flash mismatched firmware, picks up signal fine)
Yes I am aware of how to unlock G6, V30 and G7 by flashing a different firmware and I have unlocked several HUNDRED of them. Even LS998 on V22B firmware.
This will flash successfully (I use Octopus tool, the newest LGUP tool is not released so can't do it that way) but it will still show the V350AWM model and will still be locked to AT&T. Only it will remove the AT&T bloatware.
It is a good solution to flash these if you brick your device. But it won't unlock them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Well debloating V35 is at least one advantage others will like, even if it won't carrier unlock it -- and this answer is much better than your first attempt. Can you also now access the bootloader on the V35 and do fastboot flash commands work when, once you flash the open market KDZ? Cross flashing carrier locked North America V30/V30+ to open market US998 allows this, besides carrier unlocking them.
2) If you are aware of how to to carrier unlock AT&T H931 V30 and Sprint LS998 V30/V30+ by flashing different firmware -- like to the US998 V30 open market KDZ -- as well as other LG phone series (G6/G7) using the same technique, and you say you have carrier unlocked "several hundred" by using that technique (with Octopus box, it seems), then your previous insulting post looks like it was written by someone totally ignorant of this Frankenstein process which we use every day to carrier unlock phones like this...
zeek6228 said:
Yeah, flashing an unlocked firmware won't unlock this device. Why in the world would you post something ridiculous like this? How can you have 8185 posts and not know what unlocking means? smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zeek6228 said:
You can flash it and it will boot (not dead, frozen or stuck in Qualcomm 9008 mode like when you normally flash mismatched firmware, picks up signal fine)
Yes I am aware of how to unlock G6, V30 and G7 by flashing a different firmware and I have unlocked several HUNDRED of them. Even LS998 on V22B firmware.
This will flash successfully (I use Octopus tool, the newest LGUP tool is not released so can't do it that way) but it will still show the V350AWM model and will still be locked to AT&T. Only it will remove the AT&T bloatware.
It is a good solution to flash these if you brick your device. But it won't unlock them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have pulled the RSA certs from every model V35, G7, and V40 that are currently available, and LG learned their lesson from the WTF V30 exploit .. they use different certs for every model.
If you have cross flashed the V35, or G7 .. you are only flashing boot and system. If you had flashed an RSA signed partition, you would have had a brick.
I will be glad to post the certs if you like.
-- Brian
Oh sorry I didn't mean it to be insulting at all but flashing these files will not unlock it.
I'm new on this forum. Sorry for being disrespectful.. Everyone is very thankful to you Only WTF? Why would you suggest to flash something if you never tried it before?
To flash I did flash these firmwares but I used Octopus box (super highly recommended)
Lets do something constructive here though. If you have signed cert files let me test it. I have a couple AT&T V350AWM, we can brick them, it is OK. I'll load anything and post results here.
Again sorry about insulting retort but a forum like this should have only 100% clean reliable info.
Hello everyone,
I just bought a LGV35 form eBay for a few bucks but has bad imei is there any chance that I can unlock the phone? I want to use it outside USA, any idea or can somebody help me?
Regards
runningnak3d said:
I have pulled the RSA certs from every model V35, G7, and V40 that are currently available, and LG learned their lesson from the WTF V30 exploit .. they use different certs for every model.
If you have cross flashed the V35, or G7 .. you are only flashing boot and system. If you had flashed an RSA signed partition, you would have had a brick.
I will be glad to post the certs if you like.
-- Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, since the G7 and even V35 was released before V30 WTF was discovered (mid-May 2018). @TxanMoe started the WTF thread with his "crazy" story May 14 -- and you helped him unbrick his phone soon after that. I wrote the WTF instructions on May 21.
Well, V35 was released beginning of June 2018, but it was already in the pipeline by May 2018.
The RSA stuff for every variant is probably more an extension of what LG started with T-Mobile H932...
Very sad.
ChazzMatt said:
Interesting, since the G7 and even V35 was released before V30 WTF was discovered (mid-May 2018). @TxanMoe started the WTF thread with his "crazy" story May 14 -- and you helped him unbrick his phone soon after that. I wrote the WTF instructions on May 21.
Well, V35 was released beginning of June 2018, but it was already in the pipeline by May 2018.
The RSA stuff for every variant is probably more an extension of what LG started with T-Mobile H932...
Very sad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, let me clarify. I have only been able to check models that have a KDZ that I can pull the certs from. Any model that either never has KDZ (AT&T or Sprint), or if a KDZ isn't publicly available yet .. I haven't been able to check since I can't get anyone to dump abl.
I will try to post a list of the ones I have checked when the holidays are over.
-- Brian
Hi
I have a lg v35 at&t unlocked and I'm using another carrier(metro pcs) but i can't update it to the latest software version.
Is there any way to get the latest software version?
rapidrayo said:
Hello everyone,
I just bought a LGV35 form eBay for a few bucks but has bad imei is there any chance that I can unlock the phone? I want to use it outside USA, any idea or can somebody help me?
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought one too. It's bad esn. So someone can help to unlock to use it outside USA? I already tried unlocking company but they didn't find the code... Thanks:good:
Klenti said:
Hi
I have a lg v35 at&t unlocked and I'm using another carrier(metro pcs) but i can't update it to the latest software version.
Is there any way to get the latest software version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you go about unlocking it? Did you buy it from ATT without a contract.. Did you use an unlocking service or from att directly for unlock?
Klenti said:
Hi
I have a lg v35 at&t unlocked and I'm using another carrier(metro pcs) but i can't update it to the latest software version.
Is there any way to get the latest software version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you put an AT&T MVNO sim in it, it should update. When I put a Red Pocket Mobile (MVNO) sim in my v35 along with wifi working, it updated the software to version V350AWM10w even though the phone was not yet activated on the red pocket network. If you can find a pre-paid AT&T sim, it should also work, but I'm guessing there.
(note, my v35 is locked to AT&T, I wonder if your phone being unlocked might have some other 'thing' that might be stopping it from updating)
Hello! I plan getting an LG V20, yet i can't seem to determine which of the variants have the most support (As in custom roms, kernels, recoveries, unbrick, etc...).
My previous device, the V10 T-Mobile version had an unlocked bootloader but couldn't be flashed with a custom rom or downgraded due to LG enabling the QFuse or Anti-Rollback.
I am hoping to get myself a V20 variant that has the most support and also free from anti-rollbacks like my previous V10.
Get and ATT. But it should be less than android 8.0 oreo or oreo 20g software version. Preferably on Android 7.0
TMobile one android 7.0 is also good. But I prefer h910 ATT
princedede said:
Get and ATT. But it should be less than android 8.0 oreo or oreo 20g software version. Preferably on Android 7.0
TMobile one android 7.0 is also good. But I prefer h910 ATT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. Could you elaborate as to why i need to get a device that is less than android 8.0?
Back on my T-Mobile V10, the last official android version (MM) came with all the lock down that made it impossible to falsh the device.
Is it so with the V20s running Oreo?
Thanks for starting this thread, I was wondering too, especially regarding the T-Mobile and Verizon version as there seems to be plenty of them out there for a lesser price. I personally have an unlocked US996, but was thinking about picking up a ATT h910. The V20 is an amazing phone, what I'd consider one of the last "great phones" that had it all-hardware wise: removable battery, expandable memory, IR blaster, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an FM player.... in addition the Quad DAC and content creation features made it even sweeter (manual mode for the camera, very competent microphone). Though we all complained about LG's horrible software updates, in my book this phone is a beast and a legend, speaking hardware wise, they don't make 'em like this anymore...sadly so too..
ssnova said:
Thanks for starting this thread, I was wondering too, especially regarding the T-Mobile and Verizon version as there seems to be plenty of them out there for a lesser price. I personally have an unlocked US996, but was thinking about picking up a ATT h910. The V20 is an amazing phone, what I'd consider one of the last "great phones" that had it all-hardware wise: removable battery, expandable memory, IR blaster, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an FM player.... in addition the Quad DAC and content creation features made it even sweeter (manual mode for the camera, very competent microphone). Though we all complained about LG's horrible software updates, in my book this phone is a beast and a legend, speaking hardware wise, they don't make 'em like this anymore...sadly so too..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The V20 seems like a great device...judging from my previous V10. It is the reason why i am choosing to get the V20 over the Xiaomi Note 7 or Xiaomi 7.
But i still need a bit of clarification as to what makes some V20 variants better than others and why i am required to get a variant with Nougat instead of Oreo.
I just wanna get a variant that isn't locked down like my V10 was. Any suggestions or explanations on the matter is very welcome.
mickeyasamoah said:
The V20 seems like a great device...judging from my previous V10. It is the reason why i am choosing to get the V20 over the Xiaomi Note 7 or Xiaomi 7.
But i still need a bit of clarification as to what makes some V20 variants better than others and why i am required to get a variant with Nougat instead of Oreo.
I just wanna get a variant that isn't locked down like my V10 was. Any suggestions or explanations on the matter is very welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand, and I'm on a similar boat, as my US996 is stock and I'd like to pick up another one to run LOS/community developed and I was wondering if there was a more preferable V20 variant over the other. Hopefully someone more acquainted with the subject matter can chime in.
mickeyasamoah said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Could you elaborate as to why i need to get a device that is less than android 8.0?
Back on my T-Mobile V10, the last official android version (MM) came with all the lock down that made it impossible to falsh the device.
Is it so with the V20s running Oreo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is. That's why it's better to have a V20 with Android 7. For ATT H910, android 8.0 on version g is still rootable. 8.0 version H, I can't say. So basically just get the one with Android 7.0 installed
---------- Post added at 11:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ----------
ssnova said:
I understand, and I'm on a similar boat, as my US996 is stock and I'd like to pick up another one to run LOS/community developed and I was wondering if there was a more preferable V20 variant over the other. Hopefully someone more acquainted with the subject matter can chime in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-mobile, ATT V20 is okay. U can get any. But let it be on Android 7.0
ssnova said:
I understand, and I'm on a similar boat, as my US996 is stock and I'd like to pick up another one to run LOS/community developed and I was wondering if there was a more preferable V20 variant over the other. Hopefully someone more acquainted with the subject matter can chime in.
Click to expand...
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Wow! Isn't the US996 supposed to be the Non-Branded version of the V20 which allows bootloader unlocks from the LG website?
princedede said:
Yes it is. That's why it's better to have a V20 with Android 7. For ATT H910, android 8.0 on version g is still rootable. 8.0 version H, I can't say. So basically just get the one with Android 7.0 installed
---------- Post added at 11:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ----------
T-mobile, ATT V20 is okay. U can get any. But let it be on Android 7.0
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Thanks for the clarification. But what of the US996 version which is supposed to be the version unlockable from the LG website? Does it also have to be on android 7.0 too or does it not matter what version it might be on?
mickeyasamoah said:
Thanks for the clarification. But what of the US996 version which is supposed to be the version unlockable from the LG website? Does it also have to be on android 7.0 too or does it not matter what version it might be on?
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Due to the official LG support, the version should not matter for the unlocked US996. The tricky part may be actually finding the correct phone as there are two other US996 variants that are not unlockable from the LG website. The unlocked one has "USA" written to the right of the barcode on the sticker behind the battery, as seen in a couple of photos in this thread. The other two US996 models have "UCL" and "BPT" written instead.
Of course, all of them can be rooted and have custom ROMs, but it's a lot easier to get there on the US996 USA.
Generally, I'd say the US996 USA alongside the H910 and H918 have the most custom ROM support around here. Not sure if it matters to you, but do note that all the US996 models have the FM radio disabled. And generally, getting a V20 already on Oreo is not a huge problem (except for the LS997 model where it's unrootable due to anti-rollback) since you can still downgrade to Nougat to do the TWRP installation/rooting procedure.
C D said:
Due to the official LG support, the version should not matter for the unlocked US996. The tricky part may be actually finding the correct phone as there are two other US996 variants that are not unlockable from the LG website. The unlocked one has "USA" written to the right of the barcode on the sticker behind the battery, as seen in a couple of photos in this thread. The other two US996 models have "UCL" and "BPT" written instead.
Of course, all of them can be rooted and have custom ROMs, but it's a lot easier to get there on the US996 USA.
Generally, I'd say the US996 USA alongside the H910 and H918 have the most custom ROM support around here. Not sure if it matters to you, but do note that all the US996 models have the FM radio disabled. And generally, getting a V20 already on Oreo is not a huge problem (except for the LS997 model where it's unrootable due to anti-rollback) since you can still downgrade to Nougat to do the TWRP installation/rooting procedure.
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Thanks, this answers a lot. I was kind of confused because the other day I came across a thread about "cross flashing" V20's, from what I gather, you could flash a.. say H910 to US996, didn't delve too deep into it, but had me scratching my head, sounded like it almost didn't matter what version of V20 you got, you could do almost anything with it.
To the OP, yes the US996 is an unlocked US variant, but I'm gonna keep it stock for now.
C D said:
Due to the official LG support, the version should not matter for the unlocked US996. The tricky part may be actually finding the correct phone as there are two other US996 variants that are not unlockable from the LG website. The unlocked one has "USA" written to the right of the barcode on the sticker behind the battery, as seen in a couple of photos in this thread. The other two US996 models have "UCL" and "BPT" written instead.
Of course, all of them can be rooted and have custom ROMs, but it's a lot easier to get there on the US996 USA.
Generally, I'd say the US996 USA alongside the H910 and H918 have the most custom ROM support around here. Not sure if it matters to you, but do note that all the US996 models have the FM radio disabled. And generally, getting a V20 already on Oreo is not a huge problem (except for the LS997 model where it's unrootable due to anti-rollback) since you can still downgrade to Nougat to do the TWRP installation/rooting procedure.
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Oh my word! Thank you so very much for this detailed explanation, This indeed answers 90% of my questions.
Since anti-rollback wasn't enabled on all the variants except that LS997 variant, getting a v20 on Oreo doesn't mean the end of modding for the device, as i can always downgrade to an Nougat and root the device. Right?
Oh...and if i read you correctly, All V20 models except for the US996 model have FM Radio functionality enabled.
I can't wait to get myself a V20 now as all my previous LG devices were T-Mobile branded and did not have FM Radio support.
It's great to know that FM radio works on even the T-Mobile variant of the V20.
Thanks again for the detailed clarification.
ssnova said:
Thanks, this answers a lot. I was kind of confused because the other day I came across a thread about "cross flashing" V20's, from what I gather, you could flash a.. say H910 to US996, didn't delve too deep into it, but had me scratching my head, sounded like it almost didn't matter what version of V20 you got, you could do almost anything with it.
To the OP, yes the US996 is an unlocked US variant, but I'm gonna keep it stock for now.
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Rodger that!
With @C D's detailed explanation, I might get the T-Mobile Variant of the V20 as the bootloader on T-Mobile variants of all my previous LG devices were really easy to unlock with the following fastboot command without any unlock code or unlock.bin file.
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
I just hope the bootloader unlock process is as straight forward on the V20 too.
mickeyasamoah said:
Oh my word! Thank you so very much for this detailed explanation, This indeed answers 90% of my questions.
Since anti-rollback wasn't enabled on all the variants except that LS997 variant, getting a v20 on Oreo doesn't mean the end of modding for the device, as i can always downgrade to an Nougat and root the device. Right?
Oh...and if i read you correctly, All V20 models except for the US996 model have FM Radio functionality enabled.
I can't wait to get myself a V20 now as all my previous LG devices were T-Mobile branded and did not have FM Radio support.
It's great to know that FM radio works on even the T-Mobile variant of the V20.
Thanks again for the detailed clarification.
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You're correct about downgrading. In fact, if you look at whatever rooting guide you end up following, it will most likely involve downgrading to Nougat.
A few more bits of info:
- The T-Mobile H918 actually does have anti-rollback, too, but can still be rooted using a different procedure. You can still downgrade to a certain version number.
- Another model with the FM radio disabled is the Verizon VS995, but someone on here cross-flashed it with H910 firmware to get FM radio working and only had to flash the VS995 modem files to get it going. Same thing has been done to US996 models, but apparently, the front and back cameras get flipped as a side effect.
mickeyasamoah said:
Rodger that!
With @C D's detailed explanation, I might get the T-Mobile Variant of the V20 as the bootloader on T-Mobile variants of all my previous LG devices were really easy to unlock with the following fastboot command without any unlock code or unlock.bin file.
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
I just hope the bootloader unlock process is as straight forward on the V20 too.
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Only for the US996 USA, sadly. Most of the procedures for the other variants are quite unusual with plenty of steps, so read up carefully before you dive in. I have done it for two older LS997s while I also bought a used US996 USA and H918 that already came rooted.
Also, if you are going for the T-Mobile H918, absolutely make sure it is carrier SIM unlocked. As far as I'm aware, a locked H918 can only be unlocked if you are a current T-Mobile USA customer or via a paid service which can cost more than $80 USD (almost the price of a used V20). It's nothing like the simple unlock PIN codes you may have seen for other carriers.
C D said:
You're correct about downgrading. In fact, if you look at whatever rooting guide you end up following, it will most likely involve downgrading to Nougat.
A few more bits of info:
- The T-Mobile H918 actually does have anti-rollback, too, but can still be rooted using a different procedure. You can still downgrade to a certain version number.
- Another model with the FM radio disabled is the Verizon VS995, but someone on here cross-flashed it with H910 firmware to get FM radio working and only had to flash the VS995 modem files to get it going. Same thing has been done to US996 models, but apparently, the front and back cameras get flipped as a side effect.
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Wow....If the T-Mobile variant does come with anti-rollback, then i guess i would have to refrain from it even tho it might be downgradeable to some extent. Anti-rollbacks are always up to no good. Downgrade too much and u risk blowing a Qfuse or something.
Moving forward....How is the AT&T variant? Does it have any anti-rollbacks? I would rather have a variant that has no anti-rollback even if it's rooting or unlocking guide might be much complicated as compared to the H918.
C D said:
Only for the US996 USA, sadly. Most of the procedures for the other variants are quite unusual with plenty of steps, so read up carefully before you dive in. I have done it for two older LS997s while I also bought a used US996 USA and H918 that already came rooted.
Also, if you are going for the T-Mobile H918, absolutely make sure it is carrier SIM unlocked. As far as I'm aware, a locked H918 can only be unlocked if you are a current T-Mobile USA customer or via a paid service which can cost more than $80 USD (almost the price of a used V20). It's nothing like the simple unlock PIN codes you may have seen for other carriers.
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The anti-rollback on the H918 has really thrown me off. Else, the T-Mobile variants of all the LG devices i owned in the past were SIM unlocked. So that wouldn't have been an issue.
mickeyasamoah said:
Wow....If the T-Mobile variant does come with anti-rollback, then i guess i would have to refrain from it even tho it might be downgradeable to some extent. Anti-rollbacks are always up to no good. Downgrade too much and u risk blowing a Qfuse or something.
Moving forward....How is the AT&T variant? Does it have any anti-rollbacks? I would rather have a variant that has no anti-rollback even if it's rooting or unlocking guide might be much complicated as compared to the H918.
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Only the H918 and LS997 have anti-rollback, so you'd be safe with the H910. However, both the LS997 and H910 (by now you probably realize how ridiculous LG has been with all these variations) have no official firmware (.kdz) files, so I'm not sure how difficult it would be to restore the phone in the unlikely scenario that you somehow lose TWRP recovery.
Look at the rooting guides specific to both H910 and H918 to see what you're up against and what pitfalls may lie ahead before you decide.
C D said:
Only the H918 and LS997 have anti-rollback, so you'd be safe with the H910. However, both the LS997 and H910 (by now you probably realize how ridiculous LG has been with all these variations) have no official firmware (.kdz) files, so I'm not sure how difficult it would be to restore the phone in the unlikely scenario that you somehow lose TWRP recovery.
Look at the rooting guides specific to both H910 and H918 to see what you're up against and what pitfalls may lie ahead before you decide.
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Oh My! These are some of the things LG does that made me say to myself in the past..."This would be my last LG device." But somehow, i keep finding myself crawling to LG.
Like you said, i have to read as to determine which variant's shortcomings is less damaging.
Before i go digging into V20 threads, is it possible the H910 has a tot even tho it doesn't have a kdz?
mickeyasamoah said:
Oh My! These are some of the things LG does that made me say to myself in the past..."This would be my last LG device." But somehow, i keep finding myself crawling to LG.
Like you said, i have to read as to determine which variant's shortcomings is less damaging.
Before i go digging into V20 threads, is it possible the H910 has a tot even tho it doesn't have a kdz?
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I have never seen any firmware files at all available for the H910, and other V20 variants have KDZs only, no TOT files.
C D said:
I have never seen any firmware files at all available for the H910, and other V20 variants have KDZs only, no TOT files.
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Wow....LG really makes sure each variant lacks something. H918 has easy bootloader unlock but a dreadful anti-rollback, H910 has no rollback but has no firmware files.
I was just reading and i noticed that the anti-rollback on the H918 was introduced in the firmware version 10K.
Does this mean that an H918 with firmware version 10K and below would be fine? If yes, would a rooted H918 with 10K be able to flash custom Oreo ROMs?
Hi all, I just got a sprint ls997 but was disappointed to see that my firmware(or software, I dunno) update of ZVA prevents me from rooting the phone. Now I'm considering buying an unlocked (us996) version, but am having issues with this forum from inexperience. What I find is guides for installing custom ROMs, rooting, etc. but they seem not to talk about the requirements of your phone or the firmware updates you need to be before in order for it to work. I had this issue with my sprint version; the guide said you could install the ROM on an ls997, but did not mention anything else. So I just need someone who understands all of this modding stuff to tell me. Could I just go buy a us996 right now and be able to root it? Is it still possible?
Thank you!
As far as I know, pretty much any other V20 model is still rootable nowadays. There are different rooting guides for different models, and most should tell you the exact requirements if you look carefully. Regarding the US996, there are actually three variations of it, and one of them is by far the easiest V20 to root since it is the only one supported by LG for unlocking the bootloader on their website. The trick will be identifying and finding this unlocked US996 USA variant, and you can find more info in this older thread.
C D said:
As far as I know, pretty much any other V20 model is still rootable nowadays. There are different rooting guides for different models, and most should tell you the exact requirements if you look carefully. Regarding the US996, there are actually three variations of it, and one of them is by far the easiest V20 to root since it is the only one supported by LG for unlocking the bootloader on their website. The trick will be identifying and finding this unlocked US996 USA variant, and you can find more info in this older thread.
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Hmm. Is the LS997 totally locked down in terms of unlocking the bootloader? I got a US996 and unlocked it, but unfortunately the service is not compatible with Sprint.
The only way an LS997 can be rooted is if it hasn't been updated past May 1, 2017 (Software version LS997ZV7 - I happen to be using one of these). Anything after that is irreversibly locked down, and unfortunately, those older LS997 models are very hard to find nowadays. Ironically, many of them have been cross-flashed with US996 firmware to be used on GSM networks, mostly overseas (you'd be able to tell from the sticker behind the battery if it hasn't been peeled off). And yes, the LS997 is the only V20 model that can be used on the Sprint network.