I have a VZW (Verizon for anyone searching on that, too) G6. It's unlocked. The bootloader might be unlocked about the time hell freezes over.
What I want is Nougat working as it does stock. I want root for TI and V4A (maybe needs SELinux tool to get to permissive), plus a couple of other toys. I want a phone that operates with VZW and also in Europe.
Is there a way to root this phone? (Searching on VZW produced one panic msg about a sprint phone locking every night and that's it?)
Unfortunately the only variant with root are US997 Unbranded (without any letter) and the European H870.
Sigh... The H870, I suspect, doesn't handle CDMA, right?
Nope. But the US997 should accordin to LG Official Website
The non-branded G6 does, indeed, allow unlocking the bootloader. NTL, since this whole exercise hinges on getting my wife a phone that can be unlocked (she doesn't care about it, I do), I've taken another route (with a "u"). I have an old G5 that, I thought, had a failing screen. To date, it's been fine. And it's better than the current taped together Droid. Yes, tape around the bottom to keep ther top from coming off(!). So much for the G6.
Bottom line: End of question. Thanks for the input. I appreciate the help.
Answer: In the US only the US997 unbranded version (buy direct from the factory) can have the bootloader unlocked. European, GSM-only phones can be unlocked but won't work in the US with CDMA carriers like Verizon.
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Hi, I currently have an LG G3 that is over 2 years old and is unfortunately dying on me, so I'm planning on buying an HTC 10 in the next couple of days. My G3 is rooted and I've been enjoying the benefits of having root.
After doing some research, I've come to a cross-roads. I'm unsure of whether to get the Verizon variant of the HTC 10 or get an unlocked HTC 10.
I realize the obvious solution is "you obviously want root, get an unlocked phone, easily root it, and flash the Verizon radios". The problem is, I have no idea if, say a year from now, Verizon does something with their network so that the flashed radio on unlocked HTC 10's no longer works. Or somehow the flashed radio, in some way, becomes incompatible with Verizon's network (both very unlikely, maybe impossible, but that's why I'm asking). Perhaps the Verizon variant works on the network significantly better than the unlocked variant with a Verizon radio.
The other option is to get the Verizon variant. It will work as well as possible on Verizon's network. I won't ever have to worry about radio issues. But then I get Verizon's crapware and a locked bootloader and no rooting option except to mail it in to people I don't know (yes, I realize they can be completely trusted, and have been rooted and unlocking people's phones, but this is something I would really rather not do).
I think the safest option might be to get the Verizon variant and then wait for the exploit to be released so I can root and unlock the bootloader myself. The problem is, I have no idea how long this would take, and I need to go ahead and get this phone in the next few days.
What do you guys think? I'll probably end up getting the Verizon variant, but I love second opinions, especially by people who know way more about a topic than I do.
There is already a topic started on this exact same thing. A moderator will probably close this thread due to it being a duplicate. Please find the original thread and post your question on there.
I am a Verizon customer that wants a current-gen bootloader-unlocked phone. Enter the US996. It retails for $800, but there are some eBay auctions that are selling them for much less (used in excellent/mint condition). However, the auctions say that they can ONLY be used on US Cellular service. I asked one seller what the deal was, and this is the response I got:
Thank you for your question. We are not selling the phone as compatible with other carriers or carrier-unlocked. We can't guarantee that the phone will work with an another carrier. We are only saying the phone will work with the carrier US Cellular. We can only guarantee that it works with US Cellular.
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It sounds like they're just playing it safe, since they are a US Cellular authorized reseller, and they don't want to take on the responsibility (or policy ramifications) of selling a device that's advertised to work on other carriers. You know... maybe they're not allowed to sell phones that are advertised to work on anything other than USC.
I asked this question in another thread, and at least 1 user thought they had heard that there are US996s out there that are locked to a carrier. This doesn't make sense to me, because the model numbers should reflect conclusively what the capabilities are, and LG would have no reason to muddy those waters. I can, however, conceive that US Cellular could buy a bulk of US996 phones, and flash a sim lock on them somehow. Perhaps because LG didn't have a SKU for USC set aside. Or perhaps there's a process that, once a USC SIM is used on the phone, it's locked to USC until some subsequent unlock procedure is carried out. (Similar to unlocking a carrier-locked phone for use on another carrier) I don't know, this is all speculation.
So... what is the consensus? Who here is using a US996 on Verizon? Any chance you got it advertised as a US Cellular-only device and it ended up working? Was it an easy process? (ask me about my failed attempt to activate a USC Note 4 - beyond the scope of this thread, but it gives me some contextual knowledge on this topic) I know there are other threads about using the US996 on Verizon, but I'm asking specifically about the possibility that USC has somehow locked them to their service, and in spite of the model number matching the "unlocked version" I wouldn't be able to use it on Verizon.
Thanks for your time at attention.
DrPhant0m said:
I am a Verizon customer that wants a current-gen bootloader-unlocked phone. Enter the US996. It retails for $800, but there are some eBay auctions that are selling them for much less (used in excellent/mint condition). However, the auctions say that they can ONLY be used on US Cellular service. I asked one seller what the deal was, and this is the response I got:
It sounds like they're just playing it safe, since they are a US Cellular authorized reseller, and they don't want to take on the responsibility (or policy ramifications) of selling a device that's advertised to work on other carriers. You know... maybe they're not allowed to sell phones that are advertised to work on anything other than USC.
I asked this question in another thread, and at least 1 user thought they had heard that there are US996s out there that are locked to a carrier. This doesn't make sense to me, because the model numbers should reflect conclusively what the capabilities are, and LG would have no reason to muddy those waters. I can, however, conceive that US Cellular could buy a bulk of US996 phones, and flash a sim lock on them somehow. Perhaps because LG didn't have a SKU for USC set aside. Or perhaps there's a process that, once a USC SIM is used on the phone, it's locked to USC until some subsequent unlock procedure is carried out. (Similar to unlocking a carrier-locked phone for use on another carrier) I don't know, this is all speculation.
So... what is the consensus? Who here is using a US996 on Verizon? Any chance you got it advertised as a US Cellular-only device and it ended up working? Was it an easy process? (ask me about my failed attempt to activate a USC Note 4 - beyond the scope of this thread, but it gives me some contextual knowledge on this topic) I know there are other threads about using the US996 on Verizon, but I'm asking specifically about the possibility that USC has somehow locked them to their service, and in spite of the model number matching the "unlocked version" I wouldn't be able to use it on Verizon.
Thanks for your time at attention.
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Although it doesn't seem to make much sense, there are in fact 2 us996 versions. One is the unlocked US version and the other is locked to us cellular. From what I've read they are not interchangeable.
The 996 unlocked is the one that also has the official lg unlockable bootloader.
No idea why they gave 2 different phones the same number but from everything I've read since the phones came out... They did exactly that.
planetbeen said:
Although it doesn't seem to make much sense, there are in fact 2 us996 versions. One is the unlocked US version and the other is locked to us cellular. From what I've read they are not interchangeable.
The 996 unlocked is the one that also has the official lg unlockable bootloader.
No idea why they gave 2 different phones the same number but from everything I've read since the phones came out... They did exactly that.
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Ha… the only way I can fathom that this happened is that verizon got their own CDMA model number that is denied bootloader unlock, and US Cellular sim-locks the other CDMA-capable model themselves. Maybe there's a monetary cost that USC didnt want to assume associated with having an exclusive model number provided from LG.
In any case… I won't spend much more time pontificating on it if there's no way to use the USC version on Verizon.
Thanks for the response.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
DrPhant0m said:
Ha… the only way I can fathom that this happened is that verizon got their own CDMA model number that is denied bootloader unlock, and US Cellular sim-locks the other CDMA-capable model themselves. Maybe there's a monetary cost that USC didnt want to assume associated with having an exclusive model number provided from LG.
In any case… I won't spend much more time pontificating on it if there's no way to use the USC version on Verizon.
Thanks for the response.
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I can't say definitively that you can't use it on another network... Only that there's definitely 2 different versions with the same number.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can give some input on that subject...
planetbeen said:
I can't say definitively that you can't use it on another network... Only that there's definitely 2 different versions with the same number.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can give some input on that subject...
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Check this info:
https://www.uscellular.com/site/legal/mobile-wireless-device-unlocking.html
So V20 US Cellular it's already unlocked?
Hello everyone,
I am looking to upgrade from my S4 to an S7 over the next few days, and I have been trying to decide which is the better option between the Verizon model and the unlocked model. I will be using this phone on a Verizon network for now, and was leaning to the unlocked model to get rid of the Verizon bloatware. There is a chance I will be living in a different country in another year or so, so I figured the unlocked model would also give me more flexibility with my next carrier, as I had heard the Verizon model does not support all carrier frequencies. Are there any distinct advantages to going with the Verizon model over the unlocked model, or are there any other important differences I'm overlooking between these two options?
Thanks!
Unlocked how? Boot loader unlocked or carrier network (SIMM) unlocked? Verizon phones are carrier unlocked. Meaning, you can already take an AT&T SIMM and put it into the Verizon S7 and it will work.
As for removing verizon bloatware, that's only possible if you root. Unlocked is specific to the carrier only, not an unlocked bootloader. None have an unlocked bootloader that I know of.
The carrier unlocked phones also receive updates much slower than the normal ones.
https://plus.google.com/+DroidLife/posts/ENv2fH9zD7e
If you want carrier unlocked phones that get updates faster than the generic carrier unlocked phones, get the Verizon phone. As per this article, it's already carrier unlocked and it's already updated to Nougat. Might be some hoops to jump through, but it works:
http://www.androidcentral.com/yes-verizon-galaxy-s7-and-s7-edge-are-sim-unlocked
The generic unlocked ones are still on Marshmallow and there is no word on if/when they'll get Nougat. Also, the Verizon one is cheaper than the generic carrier unlocked phones. Expecially if you can find a sale going on for it.
There is a hybrid rom that is debloated and works great for all models, it is posted in the vzw amd tmo s7 forums. I'm using it on two phones myself.
The U firmware has no bloat, and has all bands available for use. The main downside is that nougat still isn't out for it, and certain apps won't work if you're from Verizon such as their voicemail app.
On the plus side you get some features that Verizon charges extra for, such as caller ID built in for free.
Regardless you can flash any firmware to any S7 so long as it's the snapdragon variant.
cadcamaro said:
The U firmware has no bloat, and has all bands available for use. The main downside is that nougat still isn't out for it, and certain apps won't work if you're from Verizon such as their voicemail app.
On the plus side you get some features that Verizon charges extra for, such as caller ID built in for free.
Regardless you can flash any firmware to any S7 so long as it's the snapdragon variant.
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I've been curious about the G-930U also. If you know, please tell me if these working assumptions are correct or not: The "U" has no carrier branding on it and it has no carrier "bloat" in it (although maybe some Samsung stuff). The "U" CANNOT be bootloader unlocked because it has the Snapdragon processor and at present none of the Snapdragon variations can have their bootloaders unlocked (how I hope this isn't true!). The "U" can be flashed to carrier-specific firmware, although I don't know what the advantage would be.
I'm still mostly using an XT1575, the Motorola X Play Edition 2015. It too had no carrier contamination but it's bootloader was easy to unlock. All I had to do to get it to work with Verizon was insert my nano SIM card. Do any phones still work like that?
So I got burned on ebay on two separate US996 phones. The sellers never stated a provider and just said factory unlocked (some on ebay actually say US Cellular) so I naively assumed they were the same as the unlocked version B&H photo has been selling.
However after buying them I found a thread on how to tell the difference and the factory unlocked should say USA under the battery. However, the phone I got says UCL (which I think is US cellular) and my wife's phone says BPL (no idea what provider that is).
So, I am wondering if I should just keep these at this point. I paid $268 for my wife's phone about a month or two back and $250 for mine a week ago, so not a terrible deal, but I could have gotten an AT&T unlocked version for not much more new.
So anyway, these phones don't come with any carrier bloatware which is nice and why I'm considering just keeping them. I don't really care about rooting, however I am concerned about 2 things: future updates and cellular bands.
Does anyone know what the differences are hardware wise between these 3 variants or is the only thing that's different the software?
If it's just software shouldn't there be a way to flash these with the real factory unlocked firmware?
Here's a page with the latest ROMs for each variant of the US996:
https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-us996-firmwares/
The BPT one is the BrightPoint version.
The odd thing is that the US Cellular version of the US996 has a much newer version of firmware than the USA Factory Unlocked US996.
Interesting. It looks like the US Cellular firmware works on the unlocked version so I guess there is no difference. I wonder if that means I can flash my wife's phone with the US cellular firmware as well. Never heard of brightpoint.
shawnmos said:
Interesting. It looks like the US Cellular firmware works on the unlocked version so I guess there is no difference. I wonder if that means I can flash my wife's phone with the US cellular firmware as well. Never heard of brightpoint.
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not sure how true it is, but if you flash the US Cellular firmware on the unlocked version and try to unlock through LG then it would no longer be recognized as the unlocked version. that said you can unlock first and then flash... which is what I did so I can't confirm the former to be true
Hello. I need an advice. I am planing to buy an unlocked LG G6 but I am thinking between H871 At&T and H870. H871 is 50us$ cheaper, but because I live in Europe I'm not sure will I be able to get updates without active at&t sim. I have G4 H810 and I cannot update because I have no active at&t sim. Will I have same problem on H871? Any advice?
Is it that H871 operates on different frequencies and LTE may not work? http://www.phonemore.com/lg-g6-h871/specs/3247
While reading G6 forum, I have noticed that all "improvements" all modifications are for (mostly) H870. and as you said, you live in Europe, why risk it?
Yes and off-course, as adamsek said, you must be aware of different frequencies.
H870, the price difference will cover better reception and bootloader unlock.
siggey said:
H870, the price difference will cover better reception and bootloader unlock.
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And warranty !
It does seem that because I am not using an AT&T sim, I cannot get any updates. Best to get H870 with updates and root possibilities.
Don't forget that G6 will certainly never get Oreo.
Are you sure? I've rea something different: G6 is in Android Recommended Devices list, so LG has to roll out Oreo, and has said that will do this in Q2 2018.