I know the Verizon variant of the G2 was different from the others, and from what I've read about this G4 and the Verizon Variant; it has its similar but differences to the others as well? I posted a screen shot of how i received my new phone right off the bat.
Root: I saw the only? root method was a .kdz flash of the 11A? Is this the ONLY way? Because my phone arrived on the 26A which i see most of you talking about just recently getting this update?
Boot loader: Its LOCKED up tight?? So their is no Custom Recovery such as TWRP correct??
Xposed: Xposed can be installed; IF you have obtained root.....
Is this info correct? Only one root method for VS986? and the etc above??
Is their any other important MUST KNOW info on this G4 in general and the VS986 specifically??
Thank you guys.. Hope to CATCH up and master this like the G2..
**PS** I will contribute to the Bootloader Bounty, Ill head over to that thread when i get home tonight....
So yeah the Verizon version of the phone is different compared to the International version. Our bootloader is locked and will likely remain so. This means that if you're running Android 6.0 (and you are with 26A) that means you cannot root the phone nor can you use a custom recovery. This phone is getting a bit old so I wouldn't count on ever seeing the bootloader unlocked.
I had rooted the device last year using the only root method that has been available so far. Root "injection" is what they called it, I believe. Once rooted there is a way to get Xposed framework on there too. From what I've read here on the forums there is a way to downgrade your phone to the older version in order to use the root injection technique. For me it wasn't really worth it though because I felt the upgrade to Android 6 was worth giving up root for.
The phone is pretty much dead. I know Verizon stopped selling it, supposedly due to issues, and I believe AT&T did as well.
You can downgrade to 13B using LGUP.
You can use Debloater on 26A to freeze all the Verizon nonsense.
On last thing. The bootloops is real.
fr4nk1yn said:
The phone is pretty much dead. I know Verizon stopped selling it, supposedly due to issues, and I believe AT&T did as well.
You can downgrade to 13B using LGUP.
You can use Debloater on 26A to freeze all the Verizon nonsense.
On last thing. The bootloops is real.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine just boot looped yesterday too, unbelievable. I am pretty sure this is why Verizon stopped selling the phone, failure rate was just too high. Looks like most of the early model G4s will fail due to this.
Yeah. Get rid of this phone. Can't do anything with it. I ditched it after a month.
robles4242 said:
I know the Verizon variant of the G2 was different from the others, and from what I've read about this G4 and the Verizon Variant; it has its similar but differences to the others as well? I posted a screen shot of how i received my new phone right off the bat.
Root: I saw the only? root method was a .kdz flash of the 11A? Is this the ONLY way? Because my phone arrived on the 26A which i see most of you talking about just recently getting this update?
Boot loader: Its LOCKED up tight?? So their is no Custom Recovery such as TWRP correct??
Xposed: Xposed can be installed; IF you have obtained root.....
Is this info correct? Only one root method for VS986? and the etc above??
Is their any other important MUST KNOW info on this G4 in general and the VS986 specifically??
Thank you guys.. Hope to CATCH up and master this like the G2..
**PS** I will contribute to the Bootloader Bounty, Ill head over to that thread when i get home tonight....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
www.youtube.com/lasertechcomputers
i have a playlist of the LGG4 if you wanna root or want to know somthing i have it there
G4 is like a desert!
fr4nk1yn said:
The phone is pretty much dead. I know Verizon stopped selling it, supposedly due to issues, and I believe AT&T did as well.
You can downgrade to 13B using LGUP.
You can use Debloater on 26A to freeze all the Verizon nonsense.
On last thing. The bootloops is real.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. So there's basically no Roms for this phone because the bootloader can't be unlocked in order to install them? And that's why there are only a couple of threads in the Verizon G4 development forum?
I love both of my $1 G4 phones from BestBuy. Yes I have had the boot loop problem but Best Buy handled it nicely. I believe the bootloader being locked does not stop custom ROMs as the boot loader was locked on the G2 and G3 as well wasn't it? As for customizing the G4 I have mine running beautifully. Debloated and modded with Xposed. I do agree that it is sketchy working without a real recovery and backup being a moment away at all times. For me, I'm going to use my Verizon G4 until it lets me down, but for now I love it.
Bill720 said:
Wow. So there's basically no Roms for this phone because the bootloader can't be unlocked in order to install them? And that's why there are only a couple of threads in the Verizon G4 development forum?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no time for shenanigans
trxrider31 said:
I love both of my $1 G4 phones from BestBuy. Yes I have had the boot loop problem but Best Buy handled it nicely. I believe the bootloader being locked does not stop custom ROMs as the boot loader was locked on the G2 and G3 as well wasn't it? As for customizing the G4 I have mine running beautifully. Debloated and modded with Xposed. I do agree that it is sketchy working without a real recovery and backup being a moment away at all times. For me, I'm going to use my Verizon G4 until it lets me down, but for now I love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm probably going to just either jump back to a compatible G3 or ahead to a Moto X Pure Edition when it comes time to upgrade next spring. I don't have time for these Verizon shenanigans anymore.
Related
Just got the phone a few hours ago and want to root it and install Xposed. But I'm not sure what's the best path.
So far it seems like VS98610B is an old version nobody is using and that if I root it, I won't be able to upgrade in the future without breaking the phone, is that correct?
If I go to "Check for new system update" it asks if I want to update to 11A. From what I understand from this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64116024&postcount=362 is that I want to take the update, then after it installs that update, it should ask to update again to 13B? And that it is this 13B version that I root?
Am I able to unlock the bootloader on any of these versions? Why does it ask me to go to 11A instead of straight to 13B?
All I can say is that you are damn lucky and DO NOT update or flash a non 10B image of you have any desire to unlock the bootloader and use custom ROMs and such
DerekZ10 said:
Just got the phone a few hours ago and want to root it and install Xposed. But I'm not sure what's the best path.
So far it seems like VS98610B is an old version nobody is using and that if I root it, I won't be able to upgrade in the future without breaking the phone, is that correct?
If I got to "Check for new system update" it asks if I want to update to 11A. From what I understand from this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64116024&postcount=362 is that I want to take the update, then after it installs that update, it should ask to update again to 13B? And that it is this 13B version that I root?
Am I able to unlock the bootloader on any of these versions? Why does it ask me to go to 11A instead of straight to 13B?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just my opinion but holding for a bootloader unlock is pointless and no you can't unlock it on any version. I waited for a year for the note 4 to get root or unlocked and never did. As days pass it's less likely we will ever see it unlocked on the g4.
To root take the OTA and get to 13b then follow the root guide in the forums....with root, xposed, and a little debloat this phone is awesome!
Awesome.that's what I was looking for. If it's already been since june and nobody has cracked it, that's not looking too good. My only worry now is why it's not taking me straight to 13b? It will take me to 13b after 11a right?
Also where is a good up-to-date root thread? There's nothing stickied.
If someone is on the verge of cracking the bootloader, how do I root this version so I can holdout, without killing my ability to upgrade in the future?
I'm also really interested in getting the fm radio working.that was one of the deciding factors when getting the phone. I did not know that Verizon crippled it.
EDIT: Also what's the benefit to upgrading? 10B is already android 5.1 so what is gained?
DerekZ10 said:
I'm also really interested in getting the fm radio working.that was one of the deciding factors when getting the phone. I did not know that Verizon crippled it.
EDIT: Also what's the benefit to upgrading? 10B is already android 5.1 so what is gained?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never ran on 10B, so I don't know what benefits there were going to 11, however, 11 to 13b saw major improvements to touch responsiveness for most people (I never had touch issues on my phone, so I don't know on that count, but maybe I just never noticed); I also found that the phone performs a lot better and the battery lasts a bit more.
ericralph said:
All I can say is that you are damn lucky and DO NOT update or flash a non 10B image of you have any desire to unlock the bootloader and use custom ROMs and such
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rumored unlocked bootloader is vaporware. There has been no update on the status of it, especially for the Verizon variant. See here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/g4/general/unlock-unofficial-bootloader-unlock-t3222737
I've already considered of foregoing the mythical v0 unlock bootloader (VS98610B firmware, aka 10B) and move up to VS98613B rooted to enjoy all the fixes to the phone. No point of waiting any longer without any updates.
hey guys ive got a TWN V20c and ive looked ages for a solution to install a custom ROM but no success.
I tried the official bootlocker method but understood that its a nogo from LG
sooo if there isnt a method for mm fro unlocking and no root injection for 6.0 then whats our options??
sandman5969 said:
hey guys ive got a TWN V20c and ive looked ages for a solution to install a custom ROM but no success.
I tried the official bootlocker method but understood that its a nogo from LG
sooo if there isnt a method for mm fro unlocking and no root injection for 6.0 then whats our options??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only option is reverting to Lollipop. Yes, it sucks and LG have lost me as a customer after this phone.
Your only other option is to buy another phone and sell that one off. I've contacted LG just recently (few days ago actually) and they informed there was no plans to allow for bootloader unlocks of any other variants of the G4 in the distant future.
I explained carefully to them how much they thoroughly pissed me off, and how detrimental that would be for their company in the long run.
Samsung or Nexus will be my next phone, waiting to see what the next Nexus will be
Thx for the reply.. If I revert back to lollipop and root.. Will I be able to flash a custom Rom with the flashify app?
Sent from my LG-H815 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Stevles said:
The only option is reverting to Lollipop. Yes, it sucks and LG have lost me as a customer after this phone.
Your only other option is to buy another phone and sell that one off. I've contacted LG just recently (few days ago actually) and they informed there was no plans to allow for bootloader unlocks of any other variants of the G4 in the distant future.
I explained carefully to them how much they thoroughly pissed me off, and how detrimental that would be for their company in the long run.
Samsung or Nexus will be my next phone, waiting to see what the next Nexus will be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for the reply.. If I revert back to lollipop and root.. Will I be able to flash a custom Rom with the flashify app?
Sent from my LG-H815 using XDA-Developers mobile app
sandman5969 said:
Thx for the reply.. If I revert back to lollipop and root.. Will I be able to flash a custom Rom with the flashify app?
Sent from my LG-H815 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think at one point there was ramblings about being able to do this, but the chances of it screwing up were very high.
I wouldn't, personally. I'd just stick with flashing a rooted system partition and debloat the stock LG crap away.
Honestly, I'd be using my Oneplus One as my daily if the camera was anywhere near as good as the G4.. So over OEM's
Personally I'm not even bothering with rooting. On stock Marshmallow. Just debloated using this
I am screwing around with my VS985 G3 but I have random / phantom screen touches and the top 20% of the screen doesn't register touches properly anymore. I just tried doing a factory reset thinking it might be software problem but it still seems to have the same issues (23C) when hard reset. Soooo, I am considering moving up to the G4, but the main thing I don't want to lose is the unlimited hotspot data since I still have the old unlimited plan and use it frequently as a hotspot for devices in the house. So I needed root to install the hotspot mod and want to make sure I can root any G4 I wind up purchasing.
What are the requirements for a rootable G4? Are there firmware versions that are not downgradable via kdz/tot method? Should I ask before purchase for a device that is on firmware XX or lower to ensure downgrade capability?
From what I understand the G4 is the end of the line for unlocked bootloader devices, correct? I don't have any other internet options at my location so the unlimited data through VZW is critical to me at this point thus I can't live w/out the root access on my device.
Any recommendations or help is appreciated!
Cheers,
-Scott
I was hoping someone could just advise about firmware level that allows downgrade? I am reading up on the G4 but not sure yet what version of firmware or > prevents downgrades. My preference would be to buy a phone I can downgrade to 13B and run a custom ROM. Now looking more closely at the "android development" forum for G4 I see there really aren't any custom ROMS for G4. Is this because G4 is a locked bootloader?
In the meantime I determined my G3 screen really does have a problem so ordered a replacement, so I'll try that since I was able to downgrade that to 10B and so should be able to keep that running with custom ROM's until I decide what I want to do to upgrade. I do see that hotspot mod is actually available on G4 with 13B root. I'm just concerned about buying a G4 which won't allow downgrade so hoping to get an answer about that.
The verizon G4 has a locked bootloader so no custom ROMs here, but you can certainly root. I just recently downgraded from the latest firmware to 13b rooted and as far as I know there is no firmware version that blocks downgrading via LGUP. However, If hardware problems is what your trying to avoid than stay far far away from the G4. It has a long history of hardware faults and I personally have lost 2 G4s due to hardware failure.
Thanks Justa. So it looks like I'm just better off sticking with the G3. So far the hardware has been fine, just hoping replacing the screen does the trick.
So I guess everything after the G3 has a locked boot loader?
So all my previous phone have all been rooted and custom rom.
Just bought the LG g4 and tried rooting but when I unlocked the bootloader it went into bootloop.
Sent it to LG for repair and waited a week and just got it back.
I'm scared to try it again.
Suggestions?
Depends. I've rooted mine and i don't really use root anyway. Only benefit of unlocked bootloader and root is when u want to use apps like viper4android or flash Nougat roms. I'm now using simplegx rom and it is pretty stock, plus the safetynet isn't passing because of bootloader. Imo the best would be if LG just could release Nougat, but they will do it at the end of a year i guess.
Avantu said:
Depends. I've rooted mine and i don't really use root anyway. Only benefit of unlocked bootloader and root is when u want to use apps like viper4android or flash Nougat roms. I'm now using simplegx rom and it is pretty stock, plus the safetynet isn't passing because of bootloader. Imo the best would be if LG just could release Nougat, but they will do it at the end of a year i guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
The boot loader is nothing to do with the safety net. I use android pay on my phone.
As for rooting, I use it for a few things. Mostly adblockers these days. So unless you have an app that you need it for probably not.
Godspeed123 said:
So all my previous phone have all been rooted and custom rom.
Just bought the LG g4 and tried rooting but when I unlocked the bootloader it went into bootloop.
Sent it to LG for repair and waited a week and just got it back.
I'm scared to try it again.
Suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now in my case rooting is a must. Yea i use viper. But between xposed. And stuff like bloat removal not just disable. Normally i end up with sprint phones and im not a sprint customer. Usaully require root to unlock. And now aparantly modify the apn setting too on the g4. Battery life mods.
Lol couldnt live without it
There are a few xposed modules that I can't live without, so root is a must. In my experience, custom ROMs often introduce issues with the camera, so I'm not going crazy waiting for my H810 to get an unofficial bootloader unlock (though I'm following that development closely out of nerdy curiosity). Plus everything @TheMadScientist420 mentioned.
niftium said:
There are a few xposed modules that I can't live without, so root is a must. In my experience, custom ROMs often introduce issues with the camera, so I'm not going crazy waiting for my H810 to get an unofficial bootloader unlock (though I'm following that development closely out of nerdy curiosity). Plus everything @TheMadScientist420 mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im a stock rom kinda guy so unlocked bl isnt a must as long as i can modify stock system how i need.
My biggest thkng is i use after market. Old htc sense flip clock so hiding clock in staus bar is a must also has a battery gauge. So gotta hide batter meter too. I hate stuffed up notification bars. Plus. Like my note 5 has no usb port so wifi file transfer adb through wifi and such is a must there.
Which sammy just beat lg. Nougat just came out for my note 5 but i cant odin back stock due to no usb port. So i have to wait for a ftwrp flashable version.
Root and adaway is absolutely minimum. Than U can have xposed and the "gate" is open.
I just don't wanna bootloop again
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
mcscruff said:
The boot loader is nothing to do with the safety net. I use android pay on my phone.
As for rooting, I use it for a few things. Mostly adblockers these days. So unless you have an app that you need it for probably not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually safetynet can check if bootloader is unlocked so it has a lot to do. There are some kernel tweaks that hide bootloader status but i havn't seen it on any g4 kernel. I'm not passing safetynet after unlocking and using stock roms like simplegx or imperium. I havn't tried flashing stock kdz tho. What are your software then that doesn't trigger safetynet? Would be helpful
Avantu said:
Actually safetynet can check if bootloader is unlocked so it has a lot to do. There are some kernel tweaks that hide bootloader status but i havn't seen it on any g4 kernel. I'm not passing safetynet after unlocking and using stock roms like simplegx or imperium. I havn't tried flashing stock kdz tho. What are your software then that doesn't trigger safetynet? Would be helpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using a stock based rom, and magisk root. I have also passed on LOS based roms too but nfc doesnt work in Android pay (it does in other apps)
Hey guys, been lurking until my device finally got here. I'm coming from an LG G3 (yes, I hold on to phones for a long time) which I was able to root pretty easily, so I am not unfamiliar with TWRP, backups, recovery, etc.
I got an unlocked US -01 variant that comes preloaded with Nougat 7.1.1. I haven't connected to a service provider yet. I have notification of a system update to NPSS26.118-24-6 which looks like the Sept 2017 security update.
I wanted to know if it was ok to OTA update and then root. I do want Oreo, but I don't know if that is available OTA in the US yet.
Also, do I still need to contact Motorola about unlocking the bootloader with the option to "OEM Unlocking" available in developer options?
Thanks everyone!
You can update normally before rooting but if you root, be aware that you could end up bricking the device if you try to update while being rooted.
I would suggest you read the guides here in XDA if you really need root, but be aware of problems that may appear.
Fixing a LG device is pretty easy compared to a Moto device.
Regarding unlocking the bootloader, you only need to follow the steps in the Moto site, they send you a code to unlock and everything.
victorhbm15 said:
You can update normally before rooting but if you root, be aware that you could end up bricking the device if you try to update while being rooted.
I would suggest you read the guides here in XDA if you really need root, but be aware of problems that may appear.
Fixing a LG device is pretty easy compared to a Moto device.
Regarding unlocking the bootloader, you only need to follow the steps in the Moto site, they send you a code to unlock and everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Victor. Like I said, I have been lurker around the forum for a while now. I think I have a pretty good grasp of the steps for the Z2 Play from a few sources. There just isn't quite a thorough and comprehensive guide or development like other phones I have had.
So I can OTA update and then root if I wanted to. I know never to OTA after rooting.
My LG crapped out on me. I think it's overheating. But you are correct, it is very easy to take apart and troubleshoot. I basically cooked the motherboard at 360 degrees F for 10 minutes in the oven and got it working again for about 4 weeks until it crapped out again.