Welcome to the All-in-One Rooting your LG G2 by Rennfield. This information I gathered took about one week to gather and one day to figure out which order everything needed to be in. This method was done without having access to download mode.
***Disclaimer!!!***
I did not come up with the setup. I took information from around the internet and brought it all together in one spot in the correct order. As such, just like everyone else has said in their guides "I take no responsibility if you brick your device or get so frustrated that you throw it against a wall and need to replace it." That said I did not brick my phone by following these steps which I found after several searches for "No Download Mode" and "Root LG G2 4.4.2 D80120G"***Disclaimer!!!***
The main thing to remember is that most often steps are skipped or overlooked if something doesn't seem right, follow every step to the letter. I'm used to working with my dad who knows very little about computers and even less about smartphones so I'm very familiar with simplifying instructions yet still keeping them short. My hope for this guide is something very easy to follow with a high success rate.
Steps to rooting the LG G2
1. Make sure that you really want to root. Rooting voids warranties and if you aren't able to revert can make getting replacements or service for your phone quite difficult.
2. Make sure to back up everything. If you don't have some kind of cloud storage or computer back up of all your files do not whine about losing all the nude phots of your girl/boyfriend. Again, none of us are responsible for anything done to your phone, ESPECIALLY lack of planning ahead. There are plenty of guides to backing up your stuff so I won't post one here.
3. So now that we're sure we want to root and are all backed up we can get started. These next few steps come from a video on YouTube from mooneyb123. If anything he deserves a great deal of the credit since his video helped me get started. I will link to the video below. All the downloads you need I put into one folder and then transferred them to my phone using Google Drive (which took a little bit). Transfer them however you want but make sure they're nicely organized so you can find them later.
a. First, you'll want to decide which custom rom you want. Head to the link and choose the rom you want. mooneyb123 bases his tutorial on Cyanogen, I used SlimLP, but there are a few others, not all seem to support the G2 so you'll have to check out each one.
- http://www.phonearena.com/news/Custom-Android-5.0-Lollipop-ROMs_id65196
b. Next you'll want Stump Root, mooneyb123 and iowabowtech both referenced this little app. It was nice since I didn't have access to download mode IOroot didn't seem to work to well for me, and most of the guides reference IOroot. You can try it but Stump Root you'll need to have on your phone so it bypasses the need to use a computer for this step.
- IOroot - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448887 Credit to thecubed
- Stump Root - http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/orig-development/root-stump-root-lg-g3-sprint-verizon-t2850906 Credit to thecubed, jcase, autoprime, PlayfulGod, and azureflux (for the music)
c. AutoRec is next, it's a KitKat Recovery Installer which downgrades the bootloader. This seems to be the whole reason I lost access to the Download Mode. AutoRec needs to be installed on a rooted device otherwise I could have just used this and gone with one of the many other fantastic guides.
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2715496 Credit to Cloudyfa for this little beauty
d. EFS BackUp is definitely a must have. Make sure to get the LG_G2_Bakcup_EFS_Final.zip
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451390 Crediting autoprime for this one took
e. Make sure to grab the latest and greatest TWRP. I'm sure this method will work with CWM but I didn't use CWM, I'm sure someone has and if they feel like putting in their 2 cents along with a link I would more than appreciate the input and do my best to link the post here (once I figure out how to).
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g2/development/twrp-twrp-2-8-0-0-kernel-f2fs-tools-t2898705 Credit goes to blastagator and apparently several others, I won't list them all here though you should see the list.
f. And now the modem. Yes we need to flash a new modem (wishing you hadn't upgraded yet, me too). Here's the tricky part; I'm on T-Mobile, mooneyb123 is on Verizon, and according to the video it's suggested that you grab ALL the radio files. Mine was pretty easy since there's only two listed for the D801. So what I'm going to do is ask that if anyone knows what radio you need for which service PLEASE post them here. I grabbed both and used the older of the two.
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451426 Crediting autoprime (guy seems to have his hands in everything it seems)
g. Make sure to grab GAPPS as well. These are the Google Apps for things like the Play Store so you can grab all your favorite apps and have a fully functioning phone.
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2397942
h. Last file we're going to need is the updated SuperSU. There's an XDA forum post that says downloading from the play store is always the best but we'll have it ready just incase.
- http://download.chainfire.eu/696/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip Credit to Chainfire
Phew!
4. So now that we have all the files let's begin by making sure everything is on our phone all neat and tidy. Using my handy dandy knowledge of T-Mobiles G2 head to Settings -> General -> About Phone -> Software Information -> Build Number. Keep mashing that sucker like you want something from it, like for it to tell you you're now a Developer.
5. Now we need to make sure that Unknown Sources is checked. Mosey on over to Settings -> General -> Security and put a big 'ole check mark next to Unknown Sources.
6. Using the File Manager, head to the directory where you've put Stump Root and get it installed. Once installed open that bad boy up and hit the button. If it doesn't go through the first time it'll tell you that it can be brute forced, go ahead and let it. Reboot and grab Root Checker and SuperSU from the play store. Use Root Checker to verify you are rooted. SuperSU is also needed for the next step.
7. Once verified head back to your File Manager and install AutoRec. Grant it super user permissions and go through the disclaimer then hit Flash Recovery. Once it's done hit To Recovery. You may see the screen for Factory hard reset, do not fret, hit the power button twice and you'll be in (albeit much older) TWRP.
8. At this point we want to hit Install, then head to the directory where you have TWRP hiding in waiting. This is where YMMV, mooneyb123 saw a bunch of character's that made no sense, I saw the actual file name for TWRP. You should be able to find it based on the file names. Once you have it, flash it. At this point go ahead and do a quick reboot and go back into Recovery. You can get into recovery during a reboot by holding down the Volume Down and Power button once the screen goes black. Once the LG logo appears release and hit the again then Power Button twice when it shows the Factory Hard Reset screen.
9. Need a break? My hands do. Once back in TWRP hit Install and find the EFS backup and Swipe to backup.
10. Now we're going to flash the JB Radio/Modem. Find that file and swipe to flash.
11. Now we're going to do a quick Wipe. Go back to the main menu and touch Wipe then Swipe to reset. You only need to do this once. Next hit Advanced Wipe. !!IMPORTANT!! Only mark Dalvik Cache, System, Data, and cache. Do not hit internal storage! Then swipe to wipe. mooneyb123 likes to do these wipes 2 or 3 times. You don't need to.
12. Yes we're nearing the end. Press Install, find your ROM, and Swipe to Flash. Yes we're installing your new Custom LP ROM. Once this is done go ahead and flash GAPPS as well.
13. Wait! We're done! Reboot and watch the spinny circly things or whatever animation your ROM of choice shows. It can take quite a while sometimes. BE PATIENT! You'll be greated with the initial setup... eventually but trying to reboot your phone at this point can have dire concequences.
2. Make sure to back up everything. If you don't have some kind of cloud storage or computer back up of all your files do not whine about losing all the nude phots of your girl/boyfriend. Again, none of us are responsible for anything done to your phone, ESPECIALLY lack of planning ahead. There are plenty of guides to backing up your stuff so I won't post one here.
3. So now that we're sure we want to root and are all backed up we can get started. These next few steps come from a video on YouTube from mooneyb123. If anything he deserves a great deal of the credit since his video helped me get started. I will link to the video below. All the downloads you need I put into one folder and then transferred them to my phone using Google Drive (which took a little bit). Transfer them however you want but make sure they're nicely organized so you can find them later.
a. First, you'll want to decide which custom rom you want. Head to the link and choose the rom you want. mooneyb123 bases his tutorial on Cyanogen, I used SlimLP, but there are a few others, not all seem to support the G2 so you'll have to check out each one.
- http://www.phonearena.com/news/Custom-Android-5.0-Lollipop-ROMs_id65196
b. Next you'll want Stump Root, mooneyb123 and iowabowtech both referenced this little app. It was nice since I didn't have access to download mode IOroot didn't seem to work to well for me, and most of the guides reference IOroot. You can try it but Stump Root you'll need to have on your phone so it bypasses the need to use a computer for this step.
- IOroot - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448887 Credit to thecubed
- Stump Root - http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/orig-development/root-stump-root-lg-g3-sprint-verizon-t2850906 Credit to thecubed, jcase, autoprime, PlayfulGod, and azureflux (for the music)
c. AutoRec is next, it's a KitKat Recovery Installer which downgrades the bootloader. This seems to be the whole reason I lost access to the Download Mode. AutoRec needs to be installed on a rooted device otherwise I could have just used this and gone with one of the many other fantastic guides.
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2715496 Credit to Cloudyfa for this little beauty
d. EFS BackUp is definitely a must have. Make sure to get the LG_G2_Bakcup_EFS_Final.zip
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451390 Crediting autoprime for this one took
e. Make sure to grab the latest and greatest TWRP. I'm sure this method will work with CWM but I didn't use CWM, I'm sure someone has and if they feel like putting in their 2 cents along with a link I would more than appreciate the input and do my best to link the post here (once I figure out how to).
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g2/development/twrp-twrp-2-8-0-0-kernel-f2fs-tools-t2898705 Credit goes to blastagator and apparently several others, I won't list them all here though you should see the list.
f. And now the modem. Yes we need to flash a new modem (wishing you hadn't upgraded yet, me too). Here's the tricky part; I'm on T-Mobile, mooneyb123 is on Verizon, and according to the video it's suggested that you grab ALL the radio files. Mine was pretty easy since there's only two listed for the D801. So what I'm going to do is ask that if anyone knows what radio you need for which service PLEASE post them here. I grabbed both and used the older of the two.
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451426 Crediting autoprime (guy seems to have his hands in everything it seems)
g. Make sure to grab GAPPS as well. These are the Google Apps for things like the Play Store so you can grab all your favorite apps and have a fully functioning phone.
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2397942
h. Last file we're going to need is the updated SuperSU. There's an XDA forum post that says downloading from the play store is always the best but we'll have it ready just incase.
- http://download.chainfire.eu/696/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip Credit to Chainfire
Phew!
4. So now that we have all the files let's begin by making sure everything is on our phone all neat and tidy. Using my handy dandy knowledge of T-Mobiles G2 head to Settings -> General -> About Phone -> Software Information -> Build Number. Keep mashing that sucker like you want something from it, like for it to tell you you're now a Developer.
5. Now we need to make sure that Unknown Sources is checked. Mosey on over to Settings -> General -> Security and put a big 'ole check mark next to Unknown Sources.
6. Using the File Manager, head to the directory where you've put Stump Root and get it installed. Once installed open that bad boy up and hit the button. If it doesn't go through the first time it'll tell you that it can be brute forced, go ahead and let it. Reboot and grab Root Checker and SuperSU from the play store. Use Root Checker to verify you are rooted. SuperSU is also needed for the next step.
7. Once verified head back to your File Manager and install AutoRec. Grant it super user permissions and go through the disclaimer then hit Flash Recovery. Once it's done hit To Recovery. You may see the screen for Factory hard reset, do not fret, hit the power button twice and you'll be in (albeit much older) TWRP.
8. At this point we want to hit Install, then head to the directory where you have TWRP hiding in waiting. This is where YMMV, mooneyb123 saw a bunch of character's that made no sense, I saw the actual file name for TWRP. You should be able to find it based on the file names. Once you have it, flash it. At this point go ahead and do a quick reboot and go back into Recovery. You can get into recovery during a reboot by holding down the Volume Down and Power button once the screen goes black. Once the LG logo appears release and hit the again then Power Button twice when it shows the Factory Hard Reset screen.
9. Need a break? My hands do. Once back in TWRP hit Install and find the EFS backup and Swipe to backup.
10. Now we're going to flash the JB Radio/Modem. Find that file and swipe to flash.
11. Now we're going to do a quick Wipe. Go back to the main menu and touch Wipe then Swipe to reset. You only need to do this once. Next hit Advanced Wipe. !!IMPORTANT!! Only mark Dalvik Cache, System, Data, and cache. Do not hit internal storage! Then swipe to wipe. mooneyb123 likes to do these wipes 2 or 3 times. You don't need to.
12. Yes we're nearing the end. Press Install, find your ROM, and Swipe to Flash. Yes we're installing your new Custom LP ROM. Once this is done go ahead and flash GAPPS as well.
13. Wait! We're done! Reboot and watch the spinny circly things or whatever animation your ROM of choice shows. It can take quite a while sometimes. BE PATIENT! You'll be greated with the initial setup... eventually but trying to reboot your phone at this point can have dire concequences.
