How to Check for Firmware Updates or Update your LG SmartPhone [PC ONLY]

sammyz · September 24th, 2012, 09:39 PM

Ok so people may not know this at all, some people don't even know where to find drivers for their phone. LG made an easy tool to get drivers and check for firmware updates for any LG Smart Phone with a tool called "LG Mobile Support Tool". It can be used to update the phone to the newest firmware that LG has for the phone. This may not work for discontinued phones such as the LG Optimus V and S because those phones have been discontinued by LG, and I have checked their servers, it is not there.

One important thing before you use this tool, if you have changed the MEID/ESN/IMEI on the phone to another phone that is not the same model number as yours, it will:
1) Say there are no updates even when there is one.
2) Download the wrong firmware and possibly give you a soft brick.

Download the tool here:
Download LGMobile Support Tool 1.5.8.1 Free - Update the drivers on your LG phone - Softpedia

Here's how to get drivers:

Step 1: Open the program

Step 2: Click there

Step 3: Choose carrier of phone (carrier the phone was made for).

Step 4: Double click Model Number

Step 5: Drivers will download and you will need to follow directions from the program.

How to check to see if phone is up to date:

Step 1: Open the program

It will either say

This (No updates):

Or This (Yeah updates!!

):

If you chose to update it will back-up phone info and apps (only if you are running a stock/stockish-like ROM)

Then it will download the firmware update:

Then your phone will go on a screen similar to this:

While your computer does this:

Once that is done, phone will reboot normally. And the program will tell you you are up to date:

Enjoy!

WARNING: NEVER UNPLUG PHONE WHILE IT IS IN DOWNLOAD MODE!! NEVER UPDATE PHONE WITH AN UNTRUSTWORTHY USB CABLE! NEVER USE A USB HUB/SPLITTER!

If your phone starts bootlooping because you were on an operating system different than what you're phone is supposed to run (i.e. stock is froyo, custom ROM is gingerbread), you will have to perform a factory reset using the hardkey combo. Refer to your User Manual which can be downloaded with the LG Mobile Support Tool. You will lose all info if you have to do this, but it only applies to phones that have a custom ROM.

horsecharles · September 26th, 2012, 07:13 AM

Thanks.

btw latest version 1.6 now.

sammyz · September 26th, 2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsecharles

Thanks.

btw latest version 1.6 now.

What phone?

DarkHuntress · September 28th, 2012, 04:16 PM

I have the LG Esteem and I downloaded the drivers. I did everything exactly how you had it but when I opened to see whether I could update, it didn't see my phone. I tried to redo it a few times and it never worked. Could it be because I plugged it in as a usb and changed the name? Is there anything I can do?

Quick note: should I even try this? I just got it a few days ago.

sammyz · September 28th, 2012, 05:45 PM

Did you install the drivers? The MS910 drivers are the drivers YOU were supposed to install...

debkol35 · October 7th, 2012, 08:51 AM

sir,

If I update my Lg thrive, will it be locked again? I bought an Unlocked LG Thrive 506 !! My fear is it will be locked if update...is it possible?

sammyz · October 7th, 2012, 12:33 PM

It will still be unlocked.

debkol35 · October 9th, 2012, 10:22 AM

damn !! LG thrive has no update of 2.3 !! Though they mentioned that it is upgradable to Android 2.3 in their site !!

sammyz · October 9th, 2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debkol35

damn !! LG thrive has no update of 2.3 !! Though they mentioned that it is upgradable to Android 2.3 in their site !!

LG said that about a ton of phones....

horsecharles · October 11th, 2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

What phone?

Sorry I missed this..the esteemed esteem

Carol2 · October 17th, 2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

What phone?

I think the poster was referring to LGMobile Support Tool. The latest version is 1.6.0.0. (Beginning of thread refers to version 1.5.8.1.)

Carol

sammyz · October 17th, 2012, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carol2

I think the poster was referring to LGMobile Support Tool. The latest version is 1.6.0.0. (Beginning of thread refers to version 1.5.8.1.)

Carol

Nah he already relied the esteem.

Carol2 · October 17th, 2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

Nah he already relied the esteem.

Yeah, but the version number of 1.6 refers to the software, not the phone, right? Or am I missing something?

Thanks!
Carol

sammyz · October 17th, 2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carol2

Yeah, but the version number of 1.6 refers to the software, not the phone, right? Or am I missing something?

Thanks!
Carol

He said it updated his phone to 1.6, so I'm assuming he's talking about his phone.

Carol2 · October 17th, 2012, 01:32 PM

Oh, ok. Well, I downloaded and installed the software yesterday so I can confirm that the current version of LGMobile Support Tool is also 1.6.0.0.

I guess it is a mighty coincidence that both the phone and the software have the same current version number.

Carol

Carol2 · November 5th, 2012, 09:22 AM

Hi Sammy,

I'm wondering if the the LGMobile Support Tool is necessary. I received an LG update this morning via Wi-Fi.

Carol

Carol2 · November 5th, 2012, 11:35 AM

Sammy, I just noticed that in the subject line of your original post, at the end, it says "[PC ONLY]". Was that there all along, or did you just add that, LOL?! Sorry I missed it if it has always been there...

Carol

sammyz · November 6th, 2012, 06:13 AM

yes it was....
when you do OTA updates, you dont follow this guide.

Kaoruko · November 25th, 2012, 10:09 AM

I can't seem to update my phone. The Android version is 2.3.4, and the LG updater doesn't work at all. I've installed the LGl54C druver, which is the Model number of my phone, and it always fails saying that it is icorrect or something.

sammyz · November 25th, 2012, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaoruko

I can't seem to update my phone. The Android version is 2.3.4, and the LG updater doesn't work at all. I've installed the LGl54C druver, which is the Model number of my phone, and it always fails saying that it is icorrect or something.

Where is it failing at? To read the phone or flashing the firmware???

CleverSleazoid · December 21st, 2012, 04:36 AM

No matter how many times I have installed the drivers "successfully", the LG Mobile Support Tool will not recognize my phone when it's connected. I'm not sure what I may be doing wrong here, if anything. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

sammyz · December 21st, 2012, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleverSleazoid

No matter how many times I have installed the drivers "successfully", the LG Mobile Support Tool will not recognize my phone when it's connected. I'm not sure what I may be doing wrong here, if anything. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Did you try restarting your computer? And what phone do you have??

CleverSleazoid · December 21st, 2012, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

Did you try restarting your computer? And what phone do you have??

Yes, I have tried it after restarting my computer but still haven't had any luck. It doesn't matter if I choose "Charge Only" or "Mass Storage" after connecting my phone to my computer, either..it doesn't work.

My phone is an LG Optimus Slider (LGVM701).

I suppose it could save some trouble of figuring this out by asking if I am even able to update this phone, in any way, through the Support Tool. I have tried updating on the phone itself but, since I've had it, it has apparently been up to date. I don't have actual service on it though, I can only use it when connected to wifi.

sammyz · December 22nd, 2012, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleverSleazoid

Yes, I have tried it after restarting my computer but still haven't had any luck. It doesn't matter if I choose "Charge Only" or "Mass Storage" after connecting my phone to my computer, either..it doesn't work.

My phone is an LG Optimus Slider (LGVM701).

I suppose it could save some trouble of figuring this out by asking if I am even able to update this phone, in any way, through the Support Tool. I have tried updating on the phone itself but, since I've had it, it has apparently been up to date. I don't have actual service on it though, I can only use it when connected to wifi.

Ah, it's a virgin mobile phone, yea probably not ever gonna work. Virgin likes to be an OTA update only company....

davie261 · December 23rd, 2012, 03:28 PM

I have followed the directions, updated drivers and can see my phone on the computer when plugged in with usb. but the tool never shows it as connected and that is where I am stuck. Rebooted both computer and phone to no avail. I have the LG Motion 4g with Metro PCS.

sammyz · December 23rd, 2012, 07:20 PM

Did you try to reboot the computer?

davie261 · December 23rd, 2012, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

Did you try to reboot the computer?

Yes, i posted that I did above your post. It's weird cause I can see all the folders and put songs in the music folder, but tool says please connect my phone.

It also says Total 1~4 USB drivers are installed. Is that correct? this is version 1.6.1.1 of LGMobile Support Tool

sammyz · December 23rd, 2012, 11:04 PM

It always says that.

Try getting into download mode and see if it detects it.
Phone must be of and unplugged, then hold volume down+ volume up+ power key and you will see a screen that says download mode. Now connect the USB cable and see if the program detects the phone.

davie261 · December 26th, 2012, 04:30 PM

Thank you for your response. In download mode it finally recognized the phone as being plugged in. It immediately informed me i had to unplug it to install the usb drivers which I did. I had installed them before but it got to one of the drivers and said it was older than the one I had installed and I would have to uninstall it. I did not as I thought newer is better. I plugged it in again and it said there is no software available for this model? Does that mean it is up to date? Are the updates I installed from the website interfering. My 4g is defiantly not near as fast as I see on YouTube videos or my friends phone, that is one of the reasons I am trying to do this. thx again for any help.

davie261 · December 27th, 2012, 09:04 PM

Ok, I know it's the holidays so not alot of peeps keeping up with the forums and maybe most have done this stuff before, so i kept messing with it till I got it to work. First as I should have done in the first place, I uninstalled everything LG, I had 3 drivers and update tool. I restarted and got the tool again. I got 2 drivers and installed. I plugged in the phone, it still didn't see it but I noticed I had it on MTP, instead of LG software. Once I checked that, it went thru the whole process and ended up it says I have the latest software after all lol. A few little mis-steps corrected and it worked after all so anyhow, thx all. Happy Holidays!

PS. It would seem I don not get anywhere near 4G at my home, speed tests are terrible even with 2 bars.. In town7 miles away I do so that sux

sammyz · December 30th, 2012, 01:22 AM

Yea I was away for the holidays, sorry, glad you figured it out. If you need anymore help related to your motion, you can post around or browse over here:
http://androidforums.com/lg-motion-4g/
I'm always there.
Happy New Year!

Jake72 · January 17th, 2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

Ok so people may not know this at all, some people don't even know where to find drivers for their phone. LG made an easy tool to get drivers and check for firmware updates for any LG Smart Phone with a tool called "LG Mobile Support Tool". It can be used to update the phone to the newest firmware that LG has for the phone. This may not work for discontinued phones such as the LG Optimus V and S because those phones have been discontinued by LG, and I have checked their servers, it is not there.

One important thing before you use this tool, if you have changed the MEID/ESN/IMEI on the phone to another phone that is not the same model number as yours, it will:
1) Say there are no updates even when there is one.
2) Download the wrong firmware and possibly give you a soft brick.

Download the tool here:
Download LGMobile Support Tool 1.5.8.1 Free - Update the drivers on your LG phone - Softpedia

Here's how to get drivers:

Step 1: Open the program

Step 2: Click there

Step 3: Choose carrier of phone (carrier the phone was made for).

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/25872972/LG%20Update/3.png

Step 4: Double click Model Number

Step 5: Drivers will download and you will need to follow directions from the program.

How to check to see if phone is up to date:

Step 1: Open the program

It will either say

This (No updates):

Or This (Yeah updates!!

):

If you chose to update it will back-up phone info and apps (only if you are running a stock/stockish-like ROM)

Then it will download the firmware update:

Then your phone will go on a screen similar to this:

While your computer does this:

Once that is done, phone will reboot normally. And the program will tell you you are up to date:

Enjoy!

WARNING: NEVER UNPLUG PHONE WHILE IT IS IN DOWNLOAD MODE!! NEVER UPDATE PHONE WITH AN UNTRUSTWORTHY USB CABLE! NEVER USE A USB HUB/SPLITTER!

If your phone starts bootlooping because you were on an operating system different than what you're phone is supposed to run (i.e. stock is froyo, custom ROM is gingerbread), you will have to perform a factory reset using the hardkey combo. Refer to your User Manual which can be downloaded with the LG Mobile Support Tool. You will lose all info if you have to do this, but it only applies to phones that have a custom ROM.

This post is broken for me and so is the LGMobile Support Tool!

sammyz · January 18th, 2013, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake72

This post is broken for me and so is the LGMobile Support Tool!

Yea sorry, just moved everything from my dropbox to box and getting rid of dropbox. Now my PC doesn't want to boot.. (sigh).

Jake72 · January 18th, 2013, 06:28 AM

Is it safe to use the 'LG PC Suite IV' instead to update firmware? Seeing as the support tool fails.

sammyz · January 18th, 2013, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake72

Is it safe to use the 'LG PC Suite IV' instead to update firmware? Seeing as the support tool fails.

Don't know. It can't hurt the phone,that's for sure.

Jake72 · January 19th, 2013, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

Don't know. It can't hurt the phone,that's for sure.

But it could make it temporarily unusable. When I first got my optimus black I used FOTA to update and after that it no longer recognised any sim. I took it back to the shop and they gave me another phone. It is out of warranty now though and when the update i tried recently failed part way through I feared I had bricked the phone.

sammyz · January 20th, 2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake72

This post is broken for me and so is the LGMobile Support Tool!

Images back up

NY11725 · January 30th, 2013, 02:15 PM

it says this will erase user data, but the OTA doesn't erase the data....so now I am not sure if I wanna update this way because i don't want to have to download all my stuff again

sammyz · January 30th, 2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY11725

it says this will erase user data, but the OTA doesn't erase the data....so now I am not sure if I wanna update this way because i don't want to have to download all my stuff again

It doesnt. I can confirm this. It said that when i went from C to D as well and nothing was erased.

NY11725 · January 30th, 2013, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

It doesnt. I can confirm this. It said that when i went from C to D as well and nothing was erased.

Awesome,

going to do it now then

thanks sammyz

NY11725 · January 30th, 2013, 02:20 PM

Insufficient battery level to proceed

Guess, I gotta charge a little more first :P

sammyz · January 30th, 2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY11725

Insufficient battery level to proceed

Guess, I gotta charge a little more first :P

It must be at least 50% I believe.

NY11725 · January 30th, 2013, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyz

It must be at least 50% I believe.

was like 48%