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[Q] Looking at getting a G2, have some questions.

Ok, so my girlfriend currently has a G2.. She got it about a month or so ago, I know her version was 4.2.2. So I looked into rooting and saw that it was possible. I'm coming from a Gnex, so root and rom is important to me. Anyway.. Now I hear that the new AT&T G2's are shipping with 4.4.2? And loki is not working currently with that so there is no way to downgrade and root? Is that the correct understanding? Also, are they shipping with 4.4.2 or is it still just an OTA update they do while in store at AT&T buying one? Because my buddy works at AT&T and if it is just the OTA, I will just have him leave it at 4.2.2 for me and root and rom it from there, since that seems much easier.
Also I saw something about a 838 firmware that currently doesn't support root?
Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Chris.

If it comes with 4.4 you can go back to 4.2 through download mode using this, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663369 . Then root and install recovery. Check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2520419 for some videos on that. Then you can flash a modified stock 4.4 that keeps the 4.2 bootloader and root/recovery intact here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672931. Or flash any of the many 4.2 4.4 custom roms available. There are other ways to go about this but it works for me. Just takes quite a while to download the files the first time to do it! :laugh: Also, if you decide to do this and go with the stock 4.4 firmware AT&T has a small patch they're pushing now that you'll want to block. You can just freeze the software update using TiBu.

I have been liking my G2 but I would (and will soon) jump to another phone, like the M8 or N6, the dev support is decent but there are some far outstanding issues with this phone and kitkat, seems like something always not working right i.e. hotspot, auto-rotate, volume, process com,gapps errors, etc,

Not necessarily
ossito2012 said:
I have been liking my G2 but I would (and will soon) jump to another phone, like the M8 or N6, the dev support is decent but there are some far outstanding issues with this phone and kitkat, seems like something always not working right i.e. hotspot, auto-rotate, volume, process com,gapps errors, etc,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got my LG G2 a week ago and I'll tell you I didn't have any problems with it, however I did downgrade and put an older version of CM 10 for the D80010d on my phone, not knowing that you can upgrade while maintaining the bootloader, as described above. I did notice that my gps didn't work after that, my tethering didn't work and while using wifi hotspot I was unable to load google or facebook, meaning I can't access my e-mail from my computer. I get SSL error's on https:// sites and sometimes I can proceed anyway, while other times I can't load it at all. however these sites load fine on my phone.

Stable
My LG G2 is completely stable on latest stock ROM and CM nightly. Honestly, I haven't run into any trouble.
Remember, when you are flashing - try clearing cache.

J0hnC0nn3r said:
I got my LG G2 a week ago and I'll tell you I didn't have any problems with it, however I did downgrade and put an older version of CM 10 for the D80010d on my phone, not knowing that you can upgrade while maintaining the bootloader, as described above. I did notice that my gps didn't work after that, my tethering didn't work and while using wifi hotspot I was unable to load google or facebook, meaning I can't access my e-mail from my computer. I get SSL error's on https:// sites and sometimes I can proceed anyway, while other times I can't load it at all. however these sites load fine on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ainstushar said:
My LG G2 is completely stable on latest stock ROM and CM nightly. Honestly, I haven't run into any trouble.
Remember, when you are flashing - try clearing cache.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you guys for most part phone is 95% good, don't really think it is devs fault but LG is making this phone a pain in the ass to play with, I would think with Samsung allowing the Htc One and G2 to sneak in beat their S4, LG would seize the moment to open up the phone to be truly customized. Looking at HTC One M8 forums it seems HTC is not putting up stupid barriers to rooting and stuff. Imagine a HTC Nexus 6

[Q] Advice and Options

Hey everyone, just looking for advice mainly.
I just recently bought my M8 as I retired my DNA which I ran ViperDNA for the past couple of years. I am still on a grandfathered unlimited plan, thus the reason for creating a thread. I haven't been in depth with androids in quite a while. I simply rooted and rom'd my DNA, and left things.
A little background - obviously I have the M8 and unlimited data. I also have a macbook pro, and my old windows 7 laptop died out on me. And finally, I am not the most code savvy anymore and wish to keep things simple.
What I am looking for from my new phone is pretty simple. I am perfectly fine with most things stock on it. All I would really like to do is remove the tethering block, and possibly delete a bit of the bloatware that came with it.
From my reading, it looks like I need to root to be able to tether. If I root without flashing a custom rom, am I still able to update when they hit verizon? Will simply rooting my phone give me the options to remove bloatware?
If not, what other options do I have? I am passed the point of wanting to wipe my phone from time to time to update and such. I tend to keep everything on it, and it gets old having to re-personalize it to my liking.
Thanks in advance for any help.

I would say a good choice is root/unlock and install the Viper ROM for the verizon M8. This ROM will do OTA updates as they come out and does not require you to re-personalize. I have been running this ROM for several months now and have had no issues. Great solid ROM.

HollywoodTate said:
Hey everyone, just looking for advice mainly.
I just recently bought my M8 as I retired my DNA which I ran ViperDNA for the past couple of years. I am still on a grandfathered unlimited plan, thus the reason for creating a thread. I haven't been in depth with androids in quite a while. I simply rooted and rom'd my DNA, and left things.
A little background - obviously I have the M8 and unlimited data. I also have a macbook pro, and my old windows 7 laptop died out on me. And finally, I am not the most code savvy anymore and wish to keep things simple.
What I am looking for from my new phone is pretty simple. I am perfectly fine with most things stock on it. All I would really like to do is remove the tethering block, and possibly delete a bit of the bloatware that came with it.
From my reading, it looks like I need to root to be able to tether. If I root without flashing a custom rom, am I still able to update when they hit verizon? Will simply rooting my phone give me the options to remove bloatware?
If not, what other options do I have? I am passed the point of wanting to wipe my phone from time to time to update and such. I tend to keep everything on it, and it gets old having to re-personalize it to my liking.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just root won't stop ota's but do you want to keep root? There are certain apps that you can use from the play store for tethering that say they get around needing the paid service for tethering. I have used them in the past but i like the native tether app my phone didnt seem to get as hot. Honestly never tried any on my m8 rooted and soff since aquirering the phone. If your not interested in flashing want ota and root.. Might want to root and soff.
See that the last post offered viper ROM good ROM allows what you want.

From having had Viper previously, I will say I loved it. But at the same time, there was still a bit of flashing to do and that is not what I am looking for at the moment. As for the apps to use to get my tether working, nothing that I know of will allow wifi tethering without root.
So I guess my question at this time is am I able to just simply root my phone to do all that I have mentioned above without flashing a rom? Are there other steps I need to take to reach my goals? I am fine with the stock rom. I just dislike bloatware, need the wifi tethering, and would also not mind to have the battery saver app that comes stock but is hidden.
Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Well, you can use Weaksauce to root only, the question is if you will keep root through the next OTA update. Nobody will know until you try it....
Just rooting will not allow you uninstall apps on the /system partition. You need to be S-off for that. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but that is my current understanding of S-on on this device......
There is a way to tether without root: it's the paid version of FoxFi. Not the most elegant solution from what I'm reading, but it works.
But you know, I think you would get everything you desire by getting S-off, flashing a custom recovery and then CleanROM. It's strictly debloated, perm-rooted stock. Clean, simple and stable.
And when the next OTA comes out, you can bet that Scott will put out a CleanROM version of it in no time. Why is that harder than taking an OTA?
It just involves downloading a file and flashing it in recovery..

I'm curious to see the outcome of the OP. I recently came back to Android from using an iPhone for over a year. I went to the iPhone because I was tired of roming and never being content with the device performance. There was always bugs, updates or new kernel. Now that I'm back I'm getting the root itch again but really want to refrain of tinking with it and going through that downward spiral again. I love the stock look and would like to deploy maybe try a asop rom or two.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I like clean ROM also.... It is kept up-to-date very well... The good stuff worth having in an ota is usually offered by most devs very quickly. I don't know what was needed on your DNA to root and unlock for custom recovery but the m8 process is really quite easy (if you have a PC) lol.
---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 PM ----------
ddgarcia05 said:
I'm curious to see the outcome of the OP. I recently came back to Android from using an iPhone for over a year. I went to the iPhone because I was tired of roming and never being content with the device performance. There was always bugs, updates or new kernel. Now that I'm back I'm getting the root itch again but really want to refrain of tinking with it and going through that downward spiral again. I love the stock look and would like to deploy maybe try a asop rom or two.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe a gpe ROM? Lol so may choices. The problem with to root or not to root is that its an option now but what if an ota patches the exploit allowing the root? Then you don't have an option except to wait for another exploit if you didn't root and soff your device. If you ask me I would rather have the control to make that decision and not be forced into one. You never know when an update includes a patch for known exploit(s). Just my opinion.

ddgarcia05 said:
I'm curious to see the outcome of the OP. I recently came back to Android from using an iPhone for over a year. I went to the iPhone because I was tired of roming and never being content with the device performance. There was always bugs, updates or new kernel. Now that I'm back I'm getting the root itch again but really want to refrain of tinking with it and going through that downward spiral again. I love the stock look and would like to deploy maybe try a asop rom or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No spiral with CleanROM. Check out the thread. It's pretty boring - which is good! Because there are no bugs (unless introduced by users flashing something on top of the rom), it works just as good as stock, battery is great.... Flash and forget....
thunderbls said:
I like clean ROM also.... It is kept up-to-date very well... The good stuff worth having in an ota is usually offered by most devs very quickly. I don't know what was needed on your DNA to root and unlock for custom recovery but the m8 process is really quite easy (if you have a PC) lol.
---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 PM ----------
Maybe a gpe ROM? Lol so may choices. The problem with to root or not to root is that its an option now but what if an ota patches the exploit allowing the root? Then you don't have an option except to wait for another exploit if you didn't root and soff your device. If you ask me I would rather have the control to make that decision and not be forced into one. You never know when an update includes a patch for known exploit(s). Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly right! It seems to be getting harder and harder to find exploits for root, S-off etc. Anybody think it'll get easier with Android L??? I don't.
You can always flash back to stock, but you never know if the next update won't lock it down for months - or longer....

Rather than removing the bloat, I'd use something like Titanium Backup to just freeze it. I can't say for sure about this phone but my last phone was a Razr Maxx. With that phone, if any of the bloat was removed, the update would fail. If you just froze the apps, you could always unfreeze them, then run the update.

Disable Samsung KNOX For possible Downgrade to 4.3?

As I'm sure tons of you guys know, 4.4.2 is absolute crap. Battery life, lag, GPS issues. There is barely anything good about the update. I am sick and tired of having to charge my phone almost three times a day just because the update (that Samsung claimed in my tech support chat, is "well up to date".) that isn't going to get fixed ever again.
One of these horrible features is Samsung KNOX. Just to get more customers from businesses, Samsung KNOX is ultra secure, down to the very bootloader. Basically turning into Motorola with the no-downgrade thing. Basically making it so not even older custom ROMs will flash. (I haven't flashed a ROM yet. And I'll get to why.)
Now, on HTC devices I have used, If I hated the new update, all I needed to do was Flash an older stock rom, even use an RUU if I needed to. But this update is just plain awful. And thanks to KNOX, there is no way back.
So, I have a few questions to ask.
4.3 DID come with Samsung Knox, along with the Bootloader I believe, which in my eyes, is a very narrow tunnel, but it's there.
You can uninstall Samsung KNOX through the app (If you don't have the app in the drawer, there is a way to set it up anyways. Which I did. and I pressed uninstall KNOX, but the apps are still present on the phone.)
Does this mean the security is off? Or that the 0x0/0x1 flag is off?
Is there a way to root, flash a custom 4.3 ROM, and ODIN back to Stock 4.3?
Is there even a way to do anything development-like on the device without flipping that trigger?
Or can all of this be solved by fixing settings on 4.4.2, not needing to do this anyways?
(if anyone just wants to see how bad the battery is, I can upload Battery Manager screenshots and Gsam Shots as well.)
Thanks to anyone who can provide me with some tips and maybe solutions.

nxhappy said:
As I'm sure tons of you guys know, 4.4.2 is absolute crap. Battery life, lag, GPS issues. There is barely anything good about the update. I am sick and tired of having to charge my phone almost three times a day just because the update (that Samsung claimed in my tech support chat, is "well up to date".) that isn't going to get fixed ever again.
One of these horrible features is Samsung KNOX. Just to get more customers from businesses, Samsung KNOX is ultra secure, down to the very bootloader. Basically turning into Motorola with the no-downgrade thing. Basically making it so not even older custom ROMs will flash. (I haven't flashed a ROM yet. And I'll get to why.)
Now, on HTC devices I have used, If I hated the new update, all I needed to do was Flash an older stock rom, even use an RUU if I needed to. But this update is just plain awful. And thanks to KNOX, there is no way back.
So, I have a few questions to ask.
4.3 DID come with Samsung Knox, along with the Bootloader I believe, which in my eyes, is a very narrow tunnel, but it's there.
You can uninstall Samsung KNOX through the app (If you don't have the app in the drawer, there is a way to set it up anyways. Which I did. and I pressed uninstall KNOX, but the apps are still present on the phone.)
Does this mean the security is off? Or that the 0x0/0x1 flag is off?
Is there a way to root, flash a custom 4.3 ROM, and ODIN back to Stock 4.3?
Is there even a way to do anything development-like on the device without flipping that trigger?
Or can all of this be solved by fixing settings on 4.4.2, not needing to do this anyways?
(if anyone just wants to see how bad the battery is, I can upload Battery Manager screenshots and Gsam Shots as well.)
Thanks to anyone who can provide me with some tips and maybe solutions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once your on 4.4.2 you cannot downgrade. It's not even an option
Sent from my Nexus 5

I heard it was strictly because of the KNOX bootloader. Which led me to believe that if I somehow rooted without tripping the 0x1 trigger, removed knox, and then flashed 4.3 through odin, that I'd be able to get back to a system version that doesn't suck.

nxhappy said:
I heard it was strictly because of the KNOX bootloader. Which led me to believe that if I somehow rooted without tripping the 0x1 trigger, removed knox, and then flashed 4.3 through odin, that I'd be able to get back to a system version that doesn't suck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically yes. I wouldn't even try to downgrade it. You will brick it
Sent from my Nexus 5

Alright. But is there any way I can root without tripping the 0x1? Or a way to just save battery on 4.4.2? I barely get 7 hours anymore when I got at least 18 on 4.3.

ShapesBlue said:
Basically yes. I wouldn't even try to downgrade it. You will brick it
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This probably won't work either, but rooting, flashing a 4.3 CUSTOM ROM w/ touchwiz? Is that possible at all?

nxhappy said:
This probably won't work either, but rooting, flashing a 4.3 CUSTOM ROM w/ touchwiz? Is that possible at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your on 4.4.2 then no. If your on 4.3 yes. Only flash roms intended for the correct bootloader
Sent from my Nexus 5

Do you know of any way to keep android system and Android OS from eating up my battery?

nxhappy said:
Do you know of any way to keep android system and Android OS from eating up my battery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps are always the biggest culprit of battery issues. If you don't already have it installed I high recommend GSAM battery monitor. That will give you an idea of what is killing the battery the quickest
Sent from my Nexus 5

I've had it for awhile and its Kernel (Android OS)

nxhappy said:
I've had it for awhile and its Kernel (Android OS)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the app and the root companion for it then it should be pretty clear about which apps are in question
I also highly recommend an app called Wakelock detector (root)
Sent from my Nexus 5

I can't root unless I wanna tip the trigger. Which I don't wanna do. And I only have 2 apps, even tried safe mode, so its definitely the update itself.

nxhappy said:
I can't root unless I wanna tip the trigger. Which I don't wanna do. And I only have 2 apps, even tried safe mode, so its definitely the update itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your on NE1 you can root but as far as I've read towelroot is the only option for rooting. As long as the kernel is before a certain date. I can't remember off hand what the date is however. It's hard remembering a log of this as I'm not locked down like most are
Sent from my Nexus 5

Okay. I really like this phone, I just can't handle the terrible battery life this update has given me. It's almost as bad as what I got on my HTC One M7 when I ran sense 7.. And that had BAD battery life. Wish I could flash and root without having to deal with the trigger.

I just tried safe mode and my battery drained the same amount.

nxhappy said:
Okay. I really like this phone, I just can't handle the terrible battery life this update has given me. It's almost as bad as what I got on my HTC One M7 when I ran sense 7.. And that had BAD battery life. Wish I could flash and root without having to deal with the trigger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still use my S3 so I understand. I only use it for games and on wifi but it's still a champ
Sent from my Nexus 5

I use mine as a phone since I had a droid ultra that broke, one problem could be the battery is brand new, and I heard new batteries need to be cycled 4 times at least. Or the update is just crap. And Samsung and Verizon doesn't care, so I'm as stuck as I can be as of now, I'm guessing.

nxhappy said:
I use mine as a phone since I had a droid ultra that broke, one problem could be the battery is brand new, and I heard new batteries need to be cycled 4 times at least. Or the update is just crap. And Samsung and Verizon doesn't care, so I'm as stuck as I can be as of now, I'm guessing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh i agree. Samsung and VZW came together and truly ruined the S3. Then again they ruined more than a few phones
Sent from my Nexus 5

Yeah. Definitely. Would switch to T-Mobile but their coverage here is absolute crap. Do you know of any good extended batteries or long lasting ones between 2200 and 3000 miliamp hours?

I've never used one with this one so unfortunately I wouldn't be of much help with that. And yea TMobile coverage here is horrible as well.
I know a lot if people used the zero lemon battery which is a lot bigger
Sent from my Nexus 5

now PIE is OTA... worth rooting still?

Last phone I ever rooted was my old Galaxy S6. Years ago. In the end I ended up flashing back to stock. Cant remember why.
But yesterday morning after I got the android pie / one ui OTA .. I cannot use substratum and andromeda anymore!! I hate the themes from the galaxy store with a passion.
Is it worth rooting just to theme? I guess losing Knox ain't a problem. My phone isnt under warranty, it's a tmobile phone unlocked with different cell carrier.
Any opinions ?? :highfive:

bump

turbolaceup said:
Last phone I ever rooted was my old Galaxy S6. Years ago. In the end I ended up flashing back to stock. Cant remember why.
But yesterday morning after I got the android pie / one ui OTA .. I cannot use substratum and andromeda anymore!! I hate the themes from the galaxy store with a passion.
Is it worth rooting just to theme? I guess losing Knox ain't a problem. My phone isnt under warranty, it's a tmobile phone unlocked with different cell carrier.
Any opinions ?? :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried pie on my wifes phone. Its cool. I like it. But nothing compares to a rooted device even if you dont have custom roms or that good stuff. Even a 1.5 year old s8 still get better battery life than a new stock one with all my tweaks. I even kind of broke the 80% charge barrier litrelly last night. Got a 90% charge. So imo if your a smart fellar and can follow the root mwthod instructions to a t i would always pick root over updates. Im still on a revision 2 bootloader and plan to be til the death of my device
I see you say tmobile. The US devices or U models cannot trip knox. You lose samsung pay while rooted but you can always restore back stock. Secure folder and pay will work after. Since we have locked bootloaders. And no way to unlock them since they are signed with 256 bit sha keys.
I got dual speaker mods, modded touchwiz, deodexed. Completely themed out. I try all kinds. I push root to its limits for a locked bootloader.

TheMadScientist said:
I tried pie on my wifes phone. Its cool. I like it. But nothing compares to a rooted device even if you dont have custom roms or that good stuff. Even a 1.5 year old s8 still get better battery life than a new stock one with all my tweaks. I even kind of broke the 80% charge barrier litrelly last night. Got a 90% charge. So imo if your a smart fellar and can follow the root mwthod instructions to a t i would always pick root over updates. Im still on a revision 2 bootloader and plan to be til the death of my device
I see you say tmobile. The US devices or U models cannot trip knox. You lose samsung pay while rooted but you can always restore back stock. Secure folder and pay will work after. Since we have locked bootloaders. And no way to unlock them since they are signed with 256 bit sha keys.
I got dual speaker mods, modded touchwiz, deodexed. Completely themed out. I try all kinds. I push root to its limits for a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just the fact of losing Samsung pay, I will not root my phone. Thank you so much for reminding me of that downfall!!!
Yeah my phone is sm-g955u tmobile s8+ but unlocked and I use metro pcs.
And what is the 80% barrier? I read something earlier trying to find a rom if I were to root... I got parallels installed on my computer so I could have used Odin. (I sadly own a hackintosh, built from scratch mac in a PC tower)
I miss using substratum sense the pie update, but This equally Black & Red Samsung theme along with This awesome Samsung icon set is doing okay..
I do miss blacked out gmail, play store, etc... lol
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+ using XDA Labs

turbolaceup said:
Just the fact of losing Samsung pay, I will not root my phone. Thank you so much for reminding me of that downfall!!!
Yeah my phone is sm-g955u tmobile s8+ but unlocked and I use metro pcs.
And what is the 80% barrier? I read something earlier trying to find a rom if I were to root... I got parallels installed on my computer so I could have used Odin. (I sadly own a hackintosh, built from scratch mac in a PC tower)
I miss using substratum sense the pie update, but This equally Black & Red Samsung theme along with This awesome Samsung icon set is doing okay..
I do miss blacked out gmail, play store, etc... lol
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+ using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The kernel we have from Samsung the they do graciously left open to use for permissive root. Has a80% charge cap set in place from Samsung. Its a safety thing.

TheMadScientist said:
The kernel we have from Samsung the they do graciously left open to use for permissive root. Has a80% charge cap set in place from Samsung. Its a safety thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird. Lol.

Back To Stock On VS995 After A Couple Of Years Post-Dirty Santa - Couldn't Be Happier

I originally used the Dirty Santa routine on my Verizon VS995, so it remained on VS99513A for a couple of years. Had all manner of issues over time - apps "failing to respond", YouTube not displaying video but rather black screens, green-screen crashes, etc. Finally had enough and used the LGUP process to return to stock and unroot, of course. I probably (assuming, anyway) could have gone right to the latest Oreo firmware with LGUP, but decided to go to the stock version of VS99513A and then just do the many system updates to get current.
It's now happily sitting on Oreo, and knock on wood it's like having a new phone! It's so much smoother, YouTube is working, lol, battery life is an order of magnitude better and it's working like a phone should work. No one knows the future, of course, but today, I'm happy.
Just passing this along, but I've gone from being ready to trash this thing to being able to enjoy it again without worrying about having to dump some $$$ into something else.
I had originally rooted to get around the Verizon mobile-hotspot check, but I have an unlimited plan that includes it anyway, now, so that's no longer an issue.

Possible placebo effect...
A clean stock unrooted firmware may run smoother than a few custom roms, but not smoother than a rooted version of the exact same rom.
I wouldn't give up on root, even if the best ever unrootable phone was given to me for free (Ad-blocking being the primary reason)

Prowler_gr said:
Possible placebo effect...
A clean stock unrooted firmware may run smoother than a few custom roms, but not smoother than a rooted version of the exact same rom.
I wouldn't give up on root, even if the best ever unrootable phone was given to me for free (Ad-blocking being the primary reason)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blokada DNS changer. Also working without root. All problems gone. :good: for me the main reason for root is to prevent screen retention. The sucked soooo hart. If there would be an option without root I would also go with an unrooted stock fw.

Prowler_gr said:
Possible placebo effect...
A clean stock unrooted firmware may run smoother than a few custom roms, but not smoother than a rooted version of the exact same rom.
I wouldn't give up on root, even if the best ever unrootable phone was given to me for free (Ad-blocking being the primary reason)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not even a close comparison in my case. Admittedly I'm on Oreo now and not the original Nougat the phone came with (and was rooted with), but it's literally a night and day difference. It wasn't just performance - it was extreme instability, apps that wouldn't work or would constantly go into "not responding" mode, green screens, battery life that was awful to the point where it nearly always needed to be connected to a charger, etc. I'd tap on an app or a function in an app before, and I'd literally have to wait and wait for something to happen at times.
Now? Lightning fast and smooth operation, stability where there was none before, etc. And, as stated, for what I really needed root before (bypassing vendor check for mobile hotspot), it's no longer an issue due to the phone plan I'm on.
I'm not knocking rooting, so don't misunderstand. But for my experience with this phone, going back to stock where I could actually update the version of the OS, as well, has made all the difference in the world for my user experience. YMMV.

Interesting... I haven't tried stock Oreo yet but in every time I flash a new stock rom the phone runs great for 6 months then starts lagging.

oooh meee TOOO! me! meeeee!
Heyitsrick said:
I originally used the Dirty Santa routine on my Verizon VS995, so it remained on VS99513A for a couple of years. Had all manner of issues over time - apps "failing to respond", YouTube not displaying video but rather black screens, green-screen crashes, etc. Finally had enough and used the LGUP process to return to stock and unroot, of course. I probably (assuming, anyway) could have gone right to the latest Oreo firmware with LGUP, but decided to go to the stock version of VS99513A and then just do the many system updates to get current.
It's now happily sitting on Oreo, and knock on wood it's like having a new phone! It's so much smoother, YouTube is working, lol, battery life is an order of magnitude better and it's working like a phone should work. No one knows the future, of course, but today, I'm happy.
Just passing this along, but I've gone from being ready to trash this thing to being able to enjoy it again without worrying about having to dump some $$$ into something else.
I had originally rooted to get around the Verizon mobile-hotspot check, but I have an unlimited plan that includes it anyway, now, so that's no longer an issue.
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Between the GIGANTIC pain in the ass that it was to root this phone (I have a VS995 rooted and on 13a ever since) and all the problems that rooting has caused I'd be ready to undo it all anyway. But due to some problem with internal storage* that started a couple weeks ago, I was fed-up and factory reset the phone. When it boots normally, a check in "about" shows the software status as "modified" but root checker says its not rooted, superSU can't find root (I installed it from play store).. Tried to update via the "system updates" in settings (could not get it to show developer options either).
* The storage issue: I have 50 gigs internal (or something similar) and I get a message that the storage is full and some apps may not work. Not possible, but I humored it and uninstalled everything, cleared cache, downloads cleared, etc ... still showing +/-1 gb free space avail. Factory reset, appears stock, but free space STILL less than 1 GB.
Regretted rooting this phone almost immediately since I still couldn't get rid of certain apps, I had to deal with the camera issues, etc... The only thing positive about it was that my work was unable to install their MDM crap (Mobile Iron shielding Gsuite etc). But anyway, it doesn't look like I'll be able to update the system - I tried it and now it boots to twrp, or boots regularly and then loops around to twrp again. I'm looking for the easiest way to get the phone working (with the persistent problem of internalstorage being full for no reason fixed) and at least reasonably updated. Don't care if it's rooted or not really.
Do you or does anyone have a link to a "play by play" for whatever might work? Its been too long since I rooted it for me to remember the nuances of the procedure so its safe to say that I don't really understand how Android works all that well, so instructions like, "flash xxx 3.2 then flash back to 2 then fastboot and load yer ROM but don't forget the dalvik blah blah" won't work... I'm looking for the idiot's version with hand-holding and everything.

Interesting analysis................ I mainly rooted my older phones due to the need for the mobile hotspot without paying VZ extra charges. However, now that I have the VS995, I was able to download and use the Foxfi app (I paid for the Pro upgrade license) so this left me thinking, do I really need to root my V20 at all? In the past, you couldn't run apps that ran many WIFI tools and other tech'y things, but it seems much of that has changed. I don't run custom ROMs so maybe I don't need to root. Would be glad to hear rebuttals on the subject

I received a new VS995 last week and I flash h910 to get FM radio. I could not be happier as I'm on OREO and the device is working perfectly without any issue whatsoever and with latest mk2000 kernel (2.2 beta) general interface performance is working very well - as it should. Hotspot needed a little workaround bit it wasn't too difficult. I wouldn't dream of going back to stock!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79939652&postcount=269
I know it's not straight to bootloader unlock and root this phone but it's worth the trouble. I hope my new fone will last and last untill manufactures change mind about removable batter and horrible new aspect ratio! No thanks V30 !

You're right.
There's no good reason to root the v20. Even rooted you can't do things that other phones can do, like enabling monitor mode on the Wi-Fi. Nor have I been able to get an external Wi-Fi adapter to work on it.

0per said:
There's no good reason to root the v20. Even rooted you can't do things that other phones can do, like enabling monitor mode on the Wi-Fi. Nor have I been able to get an external Wi-Fi adapter to work on it.
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YOU ARE WRONG.
AD BLOCK Yeah they have rootless ad block but they work like ****
screen burn fixes. hows the ghosting?
titanium backup still best option for absolutely all apps getting backed up.
Sorry i have run root too long i cant live without it anymore.

is this happening to just verizon version of LG V20? anyone?
is this happening to just verizon version of LG V20? anyone?