Database Users

LG G6 Using different KDZ's

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.

Unbranding h910 AT&T

Hi.
I am expecting delivery of an LG V20 h910 from eBay in the coming days, but don't have an AT&T SIM (EU user).
Is there a way to flash an unlocked, stock version of the software (eg US996) so I can update the phone to the latest version?
I heard non-AT&T SIM users don't get updates thru AT&T, so wondering how I can get the latest software for it.
I would prefer not to root the phone, but would do if necessary (and if I can then get a fully functional, up-to-date software version).
Thanks in advance.

AWT86 said:
Hi.
I am expecting delivery of an LG V20 h910 from eBay in the coming days, but don't have an AT&T SIM (EU user).
Is there a way to flash an unlocked, stock version of the software (eg US996) so I can update the phone to the latest version?
I heard non-AT&T SIM users don't get updates thru AT&T, so wondering how I can get the latest software for it.
I would prefer not to root the phone, but would do if necessary (and if I can then get a fully functional, up-to-date software version).
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, if its not sim unlocked phone, it will forever stay sim locked unless you get the network unlock for it. EVEN if you flash any of the other brand roms. Also, AT&T doesn't have the full stock kdz to revert to, there are work arounds to return to stock. This phone has trouble with the screen ghosting/retention, as well as bonkers HDR camera performance, also not to forget, GPS inaccuracy upto 50 meters. I'd suggest look away from LG unless you're going for LG v30 which doesn't carry any of these issues.
If you have already bought, paid and "expecting" shipment anytime soon, you should make sure that its network unlocked H910. (make backup of your partitions before flashing any other brand rom because you will need modem, modemst1, modemst2 and misc partitions in-case you lose the signals). Then you can easily flash it with H915 rom which is the best among debloated stock roms. Flash H910 v10m firmware over it, then flash the modem/modemst1/modemst2/misc files from fastboot to get network signal. From there on forward, you may keep H915 rom with H910 v10m base, or you can even move on to lineage roms. I'd suggest stay rooted with manual color calibration for no-ghosting measures.

AWT86 said:
Hi.
I am expecting delivery of an LG V20 h910 from eBay in the coming days, but don't have an AT&T SIM (EU user).
Is there a way to flash an unlocked, stock version of the software (eg US996) so I can update the phone to the latest version?
I heard non-AT&T SIM users don't get updates thru AT&T, so wondering how I can get the latest software for it.
I would prefer not to root the phone, but would do if necessary (and if I can then get a fully functional, up-to-date software version).
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't flash another variant rom until you unlock the bootloader and root. As far as functionality with the 996 will depend on the bands your carrier supports
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

I received my used AT&T V20 yesterday also bought from eBay. I'm on O2 and it works fine. Just be sure your phone is network unlocked. Only thing is the bloatware.

So much misinformation in this thread, but I will just address the original question....
Yes, you can flash the US996 KDZ without rooting .. just flash like you would any other KDZ. You lose some AT&T specific features while running US996, but if you are overseas, I don't think that will bother you.
As far as I know, that will SIM unlock the phone if it is locked. If it doesn't, then the engineering bootloader that you use to root will SIM unlock the phone as well as bootloader unlock it.
So, first try the US996 KDZ, if that doesn't SIM unlock, you will have to root.
-- Brian

CaseyS said:
I received my used AT&T V20 yesterday also bought from eBay. I'm on O2 and it works fine. Just be sure your phone is network unlocked. Only thing is the bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get any system updates?

runningnak3d said:
So much misinformation in this thread, but I will just address the original question....
Yes, you can flash the US996 KDZ without rooting .. just flash like you would any other KDZ. You lose some AT&T specific features while running US996, but if you are overseas, I don't think that will bother you.
As far as I know, that will SIM unlock the phone if it is locked. If it doesn't, then the engineering bootloader that you use to root will SIM unlock the phone as well as bootloader unlock it.
So, first try the US996 KDZ, if that doesn't SIM unlock, you will have to root.
-- Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone should come pre-unlocked for all networks. I'm mainly concerned about system updates. US996 sounds good, as I can't use AT&T here (AT&T doesn't exist in my country). Would I be able to update the firmware in any way once US996 KDZ is installed? Thanks in advance.

AWT86 said:
Did you get any system updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No system updates. Had the latest update with the latest security patch, but I downgraded because I want to root it. Still 7.0, but with a earlier patch level.

Oreo updates for LG v20 us996.......

I do believe that because LG is not going to update the us996 to Oreo now a lot of themes being developed no longer work on this device any suggestions on where to go from here tried to unlock bootloader with no success......

Many have been successful in unlocking/rooting the US996, and there are a few discussions on XDA on how to do that.
My question is what the new date is for the Oreo update. I've heard mid-Nov and late-Nov. Does anyone know?

With only a couple of days left in November it is not looking good for the v20

Do we have any more information on updates?
Kinda a bummer when you buy the US996 thinking that the "carrier unlocked" status would make it get updates from LG quicker than carriers update the phones.

baldybill said:
Do we have any more information on updates?
Kinda a bummer when you buy the US996 thinking that the "carrier unlocked" status would make it get updates from LG quicker than carriers update the phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last I read some time ago oreo for the 996 was scheduled for sometime in December
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

It's January, has LG released an ETA for Oreo for the us996?

1/2/19 @ 8:50PST Receiving the Oreo update on my US996.

https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-us996-firmwares/#tab=firmwares kdz for us996 oreo is here @runningnak3d i wonder if the us996 oreo kdz is like the v30 us998 "WTF" root exploitable?

darkknight200 said:
https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-us996-firmwares/#tab=firmwares kdz for us996 oreo is here @runningnak3d i wonder if the us996 oreo kdz is like the v30 us998 "WTF" root exploitable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you now how unlock bootloader on US996 US Cellular Android 8.0?

Oreo update for US996 is now live.

YPG70 said:
Oreo update for US996 is now live.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah we know
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

YPG70 said:
Oreo update for US996 is now live.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not for me here

Got the notice this morning......took 20f. It had a little more battery this evening than on Nougat. No SIM though; gotta swap devices in VZ account due to unlocked Note 3 using Micro SIM.
Good timing; was getting very frustrated with losing signal/sim on Note 3 custom roms. May camp out on the V20 for a while and see how it improves things.

I've been trying to get 20f on my (supposedly) unlocked US996 phone.
Originally tried downloading OTA, but got Invalid Software Package twice.
My wifi is capped at 30gb/mo(!), and it forces me to use wifi - no option to use LTE, and I have unlimited (22gb) of it.
So I decided to try LG Bridge.
It downloaded & started applying the update, only to say "Your phone cannot update". I tried it a few times. Same thing @ same spot.
Then I decided to try LGUP. See error here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/lgv20/comments/ady77a/help_upgrading_from_us99610n_to_us99620f/
(I've downloaded the TWRP img for v20 linked, but the kdz file linked has a note: * - unlocked non-US Cellular)
Now I can't get into my phone. It just brings up the Firmware Update screen.
When I checked using fastboot, it says it is not unlocked. Is that because of the SIM card?
Is there anyway to restore the existing(?) 10n firmware? Can I flash anything (TWRP, etc) without it being unlocked? And if not, do I need to call US Cellular to get it unlocked?
I'm quite rusty with custom roms & the like. It's been awhile!
--- EDIT ---
I was able to get 10n (what I had before this mishap) reinstalled with no errors, using LGUP.
https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-us996-firmwares/
I lost some pictures that weren't on my SD card, but I'm trying to restore a Google backup now.
Hopefully this will be helpful for someone else!

Have had Oreo update now for a couple of days and it is running smoothly.......never thought it would get here........

Is it possible to change Ls997zvb firmware

Hello all,
I'm really new to the phone modification scene. I tinker around with computers mostly. I have an unlocked sprint version of the LG v20, the only problem is I am not receiving data on my new carrier (even with the correct apn added). I'm pretty sure this is a firmware issue. I was wondering if there was a way to flash the us996 or verizon version of the phone to get data to work. I know the sprint version is super locked down. I just didn't know if using a modded version of LGUP and the us996 kdz would brick the phone or not, or if there was a way to flash different firmware on the version I am on.
Thanks and cheers,,

horneepapi said:
Hello all,
I'm really new to the phone modification scene. I tinker around with computers mostly. I have an unlocked sprint version of the LG v20, the only problem is I am not receiving data on my new carrier (even with the correct apn added). I'm pretty sure this is a firmware issue. I was wondering if there was a way to flash the us996 or verizon version of the phone to get data to work. I know the sprint version is super locked down. I just didn't know if using a modded version of LGUP and the us996 kdz would brick the phone or not, or if there was a way to flash different firmware on the version I am on.
Thanks and cheers,,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
everything is possible, if you do it by yourself

horneepapi said:
Hello all,
I'm really new to the phone modification scene. I tinker around with computers mostly. I have an unlocked sprint version of the LG v20, the only problem is I am not receiving data on my new carrier (even with the correct apn added). I'm pretty sure this is a firmware issue. I was wondering if there was a way to flash the us996 or verizon version of the phone to get data to work. I know the sprint version is super locked down. I just didn't know if using a modded version of LGUP and the us996 kdz would brick the phone or not, or if there was a way to flash different firmware on the version I am on.
Thanks and cheers,,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your firmware has anti-rollback enabled (ARB1), and the US996 and VS995 do not (ARB0), so flashing any KDZ (Sprint does not provide KDZ files at all) will surely brick your phone permanently. You're pretty much stuck with the Sprint firmware you currently have, and the only change possible is taking an official over-the-air update to Oreo, but that could re-lock the phone to Sprint only again.
If you're getting into phone modification, then you'll be much better off with any other LG V20 variant as they are all rootable, unlike the Sprint model with ARB1.

C D said:
. You're pretty much stuck with the Sprint firmware you currently have, and the only change possible is taking an official over-the-air update to Oreo, but that could re-lock the phone to Sprint only again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That really sucks, yeah I don't really want to try and hassle with sprint customer support, I got the phone second-hand from my step-brother. So, i'm not sure if they would even unlock it again for me. Thanks for the information. I wasn't sure if there was a way to flash certain parts of the software to possible fix the modem issues or not.

No signal on LG V20 US996/LS997

So I picked up this old flagship budget phone and I was having no service at all. I tried resetting the phone, and reconfiguring APN settings, scanning for networks, but nothing worked.
So I did some research, and it turns out I was told I was getting the US996 (factory unlocked) version which is compatible with all carriers. But when I look under the battery, it says LS997 instead. But when I look at the software settings, it says Software Version US99610p. The seller must have flashed the US996 firmware onto an LS997 (Sprint) phone.
So at this point, I'm pretty sure I got scammed, and the sad part is this phone isn't refundable. I thought maybe if I could somehow get this phone off the US996 firmware and back to the LS997 firmware it originally came with, I'd have no problems. My carrier is Sprint as well.
But the sad part is, there's no LS997 KDZ's which I could just flash, since Sprint, unlike other carriers, does not release KDZ's.
So at this point, what are my options? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Not sure if this is of much help, but if I were you I would unlock the bootloader and just flash a custom rom.

d2xTaimen said:
Not sure if this is of much help, but if I were you I would unlock the bootloader and just flash a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought of that, but should I use the LS997 method or the US996 method to unlock?

Honestly Im not too sure since I have a H918 and none of those, Take my info with a grain of salt as I might be wrong, I think that the firmware update partition is not a part of the OS so you may be able to get away using the LS997 method?