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Help bootloader unlocked. Still can't root. Now is the time

codezer0

Android Expert
Jan 23, 2013
859
291
Arizona
Okay, here's the deal. I went through A LOT of trouble to get the version of this phone that I can actually do the bootloader unlock. Already confirmed that it is successfully unlocked.

That said, NOTHING I can find will actually root the phone. The last time I looked for this led me to some stuff on XDA that didn't work, because all it did was wipe the phone, and still boot to a wiped phone. It never actually booted to installing recovery or root.

And now this morning, surprisingly LG proved that it didn't completely forget about this phone and it's nagging me to download an OTA update for it finally. So, it's crunch time. I should've had this thing all rooted and stuff by now, and life got in the way. And now on my final weekend of work holiday, this happens... so it's forcing me to take the time to try and get it done already.

Please, I need help. And honestly just tired of trying to search myself on XDA because the site comes off as fickle. Especially how it still hasn't come up with a meaningful solution for my problems getting Pokemon Go to run. But that's neither here nor there.
 
Okay, here's the deal. I went through A LOT of trouble to get the version of this phone that I can actually do the bootloader unlock. Already confirmed that it is successfully unlocked.
That said, NOTHING I can find will actually root the phone. The last time I looked for this led me to some stuff on XDA that didn't work, because all it did was wipe the phone, and still boot to a wiped phone. It never actually booted to installing recovery or root.
And now this morning, surprisingly LG proved that it didn't completely forget about this phone and it's nagging me to download an OTA update for it finally. So, it's crunch time. I should've had this thing all rooted and stuff by now, and life got in the way. And now on my final weekend of work holiday, this happens... so it's forcing me to take the time to try and get it done already.
Please, I need help. And honestly just tired of trying to search myself on XDA because the site comes off as fickle. Especially how it still hasn't come up with a meaningful solution for my problems getting Pokemon Go to run. But that's neither here nor there.
 
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what is the current OS number on the device? Which root method did you try?

my guess it's unlocked but patched one level past the least easy root method that if I recall right dates back to late 2017. Since then it's possible those exploits have been patched and you have to do the manual root method and install of bootstrap recovery.

I don't know that much about it as I've not looked into it. Because there isn't much point for me to do so. (I have to keep a secure mobile for work.)
 
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I'd pull up the link, but Google has an aggravating habit of whenever I actually need it, it goes out of its way to hide the result I need. I just know that i had to try to use a third party result because it was like xda was blocking me from getting a relevant, WORKING result at all. Just like how they keep parroting the same misinformation that updating Magisk root enables Pokemon go to work again.

Also, can we not use the term device? Given how much marketers have overused that term, it gives me an angry tic just reading it. This isn't a device... It's a phone. I'm trying to root my phone.

Another peeve right now with the factory os that gripes me is how impossible it is to get a flipping screenshot. Every google result just tells me to use volume down and power button. All that gets me is a vibration and a notification of a bug report, and the only option is to email it to myself, which is just full of meaningless text (to me).
 

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Also, can we not use the term device? Given how much marketers have overused that term, it gives me an angry tic just reading it. This isn't a device... It's a phone. I'm trying to root my phone.

Marketers? Where?

FYI "device" is the correct usage of the word here, but I sometimes like to say "thing" as well, when talking about phones, tablets, TV boxes, etc. etc.
 
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Marketers? Where?

FYI "device" is the correct usage of the word here, but I sometimes like to say "thing" as well, when talking about phones, tablets, TV boxes, etc. etc.
Every ad,
every automated support thing from Pokemon Go even though they know for a fact that their stupid app only works with phones,
every corporate page having to do with any phones or tablets they of course offer on some kind of contract.

It's pretty damned aggravating. I'm tired of it. I won't subscribe to it. And honestly, anyone referring to it that way just comes off as fake and arrogant to me. If it can receive and place phone calls, then it's a phone - doesn't matter if it's a flip phone, or a smartphone.
 
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Even now, as I'm sitting here searching their site, XDA just refuses to show me how to do it, despite demanding that I have to get the us996 model to even start the process.

Is it really any surprise that I'm growing increasingly frustrated that so much of Android seems hopelessly dependent on just this one group, when it seems like they just choose to actively forget when it's time to actually do what needs to be done? https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development I'll find all the stuff for faking it on a carrier locked version, after years upon years of them insisting that only the unlocked version can have it work as intended, and now i can't find a root process for it anywhere on their site. Part of it might just be me being very tired after a long day, but it's no less frustrating, and I'm tired of jumping through all these hoops to appease the vaunted ones at XDA and then not get any answers when I can't do it like they're saying I should be able to.
 
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In any case, i need to figure out how i can root this properly, because at least with working root, i should then be able to make sure i flash twrp and be able to do a nandroid back-up on my own terms. Stuff like that. Not to mention actually have the option to start trying out these various custom roms for the phone now. But the fact still stands that i can't find anything for the us996 on xda... All i can ever find are on third party sites.
 
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In any case, i need to figure out how i can root this properly, because at least with working root, i should then be able to make sure i flash twrp and be able to do a nandroid back-up on my own terms. Stuff like that. Not to mention actually have the option to start trying out these various custom roms for the phone now. But the fact still stands that i can't find anything for the us996 on xda... All i can ever find are on third party sites.

Don't trust them..
 
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That's not really helpful, either.
What am i supposed to do? XDA itself is blocking me from seeing even how i can root this phone, let alone install twrp or anything useful.

I spent way too much time and money to now be told that i have another phone i can't root anymore.

XDA is blocking you? How? What app or browser are you using?
 
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Wait what? How is that possible?

I'm not sure but I DID notice that many old links and threads I used to frequent (Gingerbread to Jellybean) are no longer available anymore (or buried so badly that Google can't find them) but that LG v20 seems recent enough that it shouldn't be one of them..
 
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XDA is blocking you? How? What app or browser are you using?
How do you think?
I tried searching through my phone. I tried searching on my desktop. I even tried when i had a chance at the computers at work.

I can't find any results at all, for how to root a US996 lg v20, on xda. Not a one. The only things i can find anywhere, are from other sites, all parroting the same steps. That again, still don't work. I already went through all this trouble to get this phone and got the bootloader unlocked. But i still don't have root, twrp or anything. And now LG is trying to shove an OTA update at me, likely to try and block whatever method i might have left.

Xda already made my g4 useless by refusing to root it or provide a way to do so. This phone cost me too dearly to be told i can't root it now.
 
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How do you think?
I tried searching through my phone. I tried searching on my desktop. I even tried when i had a chance at the computers at work.

I can't find any results at all, for how to root a US996 lg v20, on xda. Not a one. The only things i can find anywhere, are from other sites, all parroting the same steps. That again, still don't work. I already went through all this trouble to get this phone and got the bootloader unlocked. But i still don't have root, twrp or anything. And now LG is trying to shove an OTA update at me, likely to try and block whatever method i might have left.

Xda already made my g4 useless by refusing to root it or provide a way to do so. This phone cost me too dearly to be told i can't root it now.

Codename? I found a twrp for vs995.. Maybe knowing the codename will help searches
 
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Codename? I found a twrp for vs995.. Maybe knowing the codename will help searches
Us996... Unlocked. As in, not from us cellular. As in, the only variant of the phone where lg itself provides the method to unlock the bootloader; which i was drummed into over and over again was the only version that could be rooted at all.
 
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Us996... Unlocked. As in, not from us cellular. As in, the only variant of the phone where lg itself provides the method to unlock the bootloader; which i was drummed into over and over again was the only version that could be rooted at all.

It sucks you're having so much issue on something that should be easy. I hung up LG devices a long time ago, about the time they blocked open_bump.py and made their VoLTE function proprietary only. I can suggest a cpl devices with rockin 5000mAh batteries but you've made your dislike of Motorola very well known and I'm now outta suggestions. Good lick and I hope everything works well for ya
 
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Us996... Unlocked. As in, not from us cellular. As in, the only variant of the phone where lg itself provides the method to unlock the bootloader; which i was drummed into over and over again was the only version that could be rooted at all.
Have you tried googling for your answer, or did like a factory reset? Volume Down key, and then hit the power at the same time, select options to have it right to clear all data from it?
 
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Have you tried googling for your answer, or did like a factory reset? Volume Down key, and then hit the power at the same time, select options to have it right to clear all data from it?
If google would actually provide the results I needed, I wouldn't be asking here.

The process I could find on third party sites would have me try to flash TWRP on the phone, but when it comes time to try and reboot to recovery, all it does is force me to wipe the phone. It never actually boots to recovery. It never actually does anything but wipe the phone. And considering it's been my daily driver for a while, I'd rather not have to do that again without having some instructions that are known to work.
 
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