[HELP] LG V20 Unknown Variant - LG V20 Guides, News, & Discussion

Good day everyone!
so i got an LG V20 for a sale price in AliExpress.
I bought the H910 variant, which is ATT
After 20 days on shipment, i got the phone as described, but after i did a little digging it turns out to be a confusing variant
Here's what i found:
> The phone boots with a Claro animation, Claro is from Puerto Rico, Right?
> on the "about device" the appearing model is an H910PR. PR is, again, puerto rico
> LG Bridge can't identify the model, will try soon on LGUP
To settle things, i looked up the hardware instead...but it just got more confusing
> I ordered an H910 ATT variant, the back label behind the battery of the phone also shows H910
> looked up the IMEI and it shows as H910 ATT LG V20, both IMEIs from the firmware and the back of the phone is the same
> i teardown the phone to look for the board model number of the device, and it says "VS995"...... the board is a Verizon variant
> again, i bought an ATT variant, the model says it is H910, but the back cover of the phone is written Verizon (i know it's not solid proof that this phone is Verizon or not cuz you can swap back covers, but still)
My purpose for this phone is to unlock and root it, but sadly i can't cuz i might end up bricking it for flashing the wrong stuff because of the confusing models
And even just restoring the firmware could be risky
So how can i root this phone?
Will DirtySanta work?
What firmware should i flash in case i need to restore it?
Any kind people out there to help would be greatly appreciated

MEMO#22 said:
Good day everyone!
so i got an LG V20 for a sale price in AliExpress.
I bought the H910 variant, which is ATT
After 20 days on shipment, i got the phone as described, but after i did a little digging it turns out to be a confusing variant
Here's what i found:
> The phone boots with a Claro animation, Claro is from Puerto Rico, Right?
> on the "about device" the appearing model is an H910PR. PR is, again, puerto rico
> LG Bridge can't identify the model, will try soon on LGUP
To settle things, i looked up the hardware instead...but it just got more confusing
> I ordered an H910 ATT variant, the back label behind the battery of the phone also shows H910
> looked up the IMEI and it shows as H910 ATT LG V20, both IMEIs from the firmware and the back of the phone is the same
> i teardown the phone to look for the board model number of the device, and it says "VS995"...... the board is a Verizon variant
> again, i bought an ATT variant, the model says it is H910, but the back cover of the phone is written Verizon (i know it's not solid proof that this phone is Verizon or not cuz you can swap back covers, but still)
My purpose for this phone is to unlock and root it, but sadly i can't cuz i might end up bricking it for flashing the wrong stuff because of the confusing models
And even just restoring the firmware could be risky
So how can i root this phone?
Will DirtySanta work?
What firmware should i flash in case i need to restore it?
Any kind people out there to help would be greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you got a H910 with Claro firmware on it, could be a refurb phone
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

I'm not surprised that the board says vs995, heck my first v20, a us996 I unlocked through LG (means it was indeed a legit unlocked us996, which I bought new) said vs995 on it inside. The single sim v20s are all nearly identical, mostly its just modem and cpu fuse configuration, note that we can't super easily change the actual modem config now that its actually assembled and fuses are popped, but there is some degree that modem firmware sorta works even with cross flashed firmware).
It might just be that the imei tool used couldn't bother to distinguish h910 and h910pr and just labeled them both ATT.

cnjax said:
Sounds like you got a H910 with Claro firmware on it, could be a refurb phone
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is it ok if i flash a regular H910 firmware on this phone? and even use dirty santa?

Phoenix591 said:
I'm not surprised that the board says vs995, heck my first v20, a us996 I unlocked through LG (means it was indeed a legit unlocked us996, which I bought new) said vs995 on it inside. The single sim v20s are all nearly identical, mostly its just modem and cpu fuse configuration, note that we can't super easily change the actual modem config now that its actually assembled and fuses are popped, but there is some degree that modem firmware sorta works even with cross flashed firmware).
It might just be that the imei tool used couldn't bother to distinguish h910 and h910pr and just labeled them both ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so basically LG is using the same single sim board but with different modems? That's something

Phoenix591 said:
I'm not surprised that the board says vs995, heck my first v20, a us996 I unlocked through LG (means it was indeed a legit unlocked us996, which I bought new) said vs995 on it inside. The single sim v20s are all nearly identical, mostly its just modem and cpu fuse configuration, note that we can't super easily change the actual modem config now that its actually assembled and fuses are popped, but there is some degree that modem firmware sorta works even with cross flashed firmware).
It might just be that the imei tool used couldn't bother to distinguish h910 and h910pr and just labeled them both ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So would it be fine if i flashed a regular ATT firmware on this variant?

MEMO#22 said:
So would it be fine if i flashed a regular ATT firmware on this variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely.
Att decided to be special snowflakes and did otas in a way that means theres no firmware files that can be flashed through the regular lg up/lgbridge tools though. So the best way imo to get att firmware is to downgrade to the dec 2016 security patch and root and grab an att rom. If you cant find an old enough h910pr firmware then just follow the regular h910 guide involving crossflashing to h910. Regardless I'd at least follow the bit about dumping your modem related files (because if anything is going to get funky, it will be the cell service)

MEMO#22 said:
So would it be fine if i flashed a regular ATT firmware on this variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow Phoenix's advice and back up your modem, others who flashed att firmware on the pr variant others had issues with cellular service, also you might want to verify what bands that variant supports to see if it will work with your carrier
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

cnjax said:
Follow Phoenix's advice and back up your modem, others who flashed att firmware on the pr variant others had issues with cellular service, also you might want to verify what bands that variant supports to see if it will work with your carrier
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do, thank you all for your response

Related

Sprint S5 over to Verizon Possible?

Well I do have a sprint phone and want to know if I can get it to work with a Verizon Pre-Paid SIM, went to Verizon Website and it says my IMEI is ok for working with that. Went and bought the SIM and it just tells me "Invalid SIM". Any help would be appreciated do I need to unlock it? Flash It?
Flash it but it'll only be 3g not 4g,even if it read sim it won't get lte, i flash phone for a living
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using XDA Free mobile app
I guess my question is the towelroot won't work because of my firmware version so I need to do the odin, but it says to use CF-Auto-Root do I use the firmware version I have for Sprint, or download the firmware version to verizon I want?
this is almost exactly is what i'm trying to figure out, just in reverse, because i can get a good local S5 VZW but SPR use different LTE bands.
i know typically the saying is never flash anything for a different carrier of your model, but some people seem to do it with a ymmv statement.
i've read several threads from people talking about carrier rom swap, some casually saying sure it can work, but no updates from OPs or others that said they would try, definitively saying that it worked or failed.
so... has anyone literally gotten something like the Odin flashable firmware at sammobile or someplace for the Verizon VZW sm-g900v and flashed it with the Sprint SPR sm-g900p stock firmware, completely changing its baseband, modem, everything so it now identifies and works the same as a Sprint phone?
or should i just keep waiting for another similarly cheap S5 bundle in a Sprint flavor?

[H910] H915 Rom Compatible to H910

Hi guys!
I live in Canada and I bought an V20 ATT version on eBay, the H910.
I was a bit uncomfortable with ATT apps and services, but when I looked up the information I found that the H910 model and the H915 had the same FCC certification number.
So, after I first rooted the H910, I changed the model name to H915 in BuildProp and porting the H915's rom with LGUP.
How was the result? I succeeded without problems.
It does not matter who is using the ATT in the US, but I think it will be helpful for those who use the ATT model in other carriers. As you know, the update itself is impossible without the ATT sim card.
However, I know that there is no KDZ file or TOT file of H910 right now. So after uploading the H915 ROM, you may not be able to go back to the previous.
I hope you will note this!
Would bee interested in the complete process to do this
And not sure what u mean by AT&T sim card
Sent from my LG-H812 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
in the process of unlocking the bootloader via DirtySanta, you also carrier unlock the phone for use on other cellular carriers.
the majority of v20 variants benefit from this, your variant included.
this has naught to do with FCC certification numbers being the same. its due to the phone having all bands available, and then being unlocked.
there are other routes to unlocking your phone, but those typically include paying off the device/keeping the bill current/etc.
this is a loophole of sorts.
Linenumber3 said:
Hi guys!
I live in Canada and I bought an V20 ATT version on eBay, the H910.
I was a bit uncomfortable with ATT apps and services, but when I looked up the information I found that the H910 model and the H915 had the same FCC certification number.
So, after I first rooted the H910, I changed the model name to H915 in BuildProp and porting the H915's rom with LGUP.
How was the result? I succeeded without problems.
It does not matter who is using the ATT in the US, but I think it will be helpful for those who use the ATT model in other carriers. As you know, the update itself is impossible without the ATT sim card.
However, I know that there is no KDZ file or TOT file of H910 right now. So after uploading the H915 ROM, you may not be able to go back to the previous.
I hope you will note this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My only question is if when you reboot do you still have access to TWRP? If you do then LGUP only updated the ROM itself which you could have done with the ROMs available here. However, if it got rid of your recovery and you had to re-root then I could see this being a real benefit to those trying to change model numbers. I tried flashing a US996 entire firmware and ROM package to my device via TWRP and essentially locked myself out of the device because the partition sizes were different. If I could get my hands on an US996 PIT file I might be able to do a full transition but I don't know that it is worth it.
Linenumber3 said:
I was a bit uncomfortable with ATT apps and services, but when I looked up the information I found that the H910 model and the H915 had the same FCC certification number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello
I'm interested in what you have done here.
How exactly did you determine that those models had the same certification number? I am looking here https://fccid.io/ZNF and I see H918, H910 etc. but not H915 and US996.
So I assume those last two are, well, like you said H915 is H910. But what is US996?
I would be very interested to know which other models correspond exactly to the ZNFH918.
Edit: Ok, so I checked around some more, and it seems H918 is the same as H910PR. Though I'm not completely sure.

Running RETUS on a MetroPCS Ocean device

Last night as part of rooting, I was getting issues with the MetroPCS Ocean firmware with the update failing message. I took a look at the RETUS firmwares and saw the latest so I took a chance and was able to flash the Retail version with no problems, booted up and 'worked out of the box' so to speak. It is also lighter on the features since it doesn't include the MetroPCS apps. I am not going to try rooting with this one, but it seems to be quite stable and an a little faster if that makes any sense.
Your mileage may vary!
You assume any risk by attempting the same thing on your device, but I figured it would be something someone would be interested in knowing.
I'm running MetroPCS software on a Amazon device
I'm running Cricket software on a MetroPCS device &
I'm running Amazon software on a MetroPCS device
Cons on both I've come across so far.
Cricket software on a MetroPCS device I get Boot screen says Bad key in top left corner before loading the device.
Amazon software on a MetroPCS device I get a Boot screen says untrusted device before loading the device.
Pros is they both work great.
Medfordite said:
Last night as part of rooting, I was getting issues with the MetroPCS Ocean firmware with the update failing message. I took a look at the RETUS firmwares and saw the latest so I took a chance and was able to flash the Retail version with no problems, booted up and 'worked out of the box' so to speak. It is also lighter on the features since it doesn't include the MetroPCS apps. I am not going to try rooting with this one, but it seems to be quite stable and an a little faster if that makes any sense.
Your mileage may vary!
You assume any risk by attempting the same thing on your device, but I figured it would be something someone would be interested in knowing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you did that when you have the time, try to go back a lower build or your OG Build and check if you still have data and sim accses. I ask because (I have a RETUS) and since I flashed the latest one available "PPO29.114-108 May 1 Security Update" can't go back to OG Build it came with without losing data and sim detection. Something was updated in that build that even if you flash back it broke that. I even flashed the modem to check but no still no data or SIM detected at all. Only all fine in the most recent build.
Medfordite said:
Last night as part of rooting, I was getting issues with the MetroPCS Ocean firmware with the update failing message. I took a look at the RETUS firmwares and saw the latest so I took a chance and was able to flash the Retail version with no problems, booted up and 'worked out of the box' so to speak. It is also lighter on the features since it doesn't include the MetroPCS apps. I am not going to try rooting with this one, but it seems to be quite stable and an a little faster if that makes any sense.
Your mileage may vary!
You assume any risk by attempting the same thing on your device, but I figured it would be something someone would be interested in knowing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am guessing that it is still sim locked to metropcs after flashing this?
twfs said:
I am guessing that it is still sim locked to metropcs after flashing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a Carrier or Retail ROM won't ever unlock a Carrier Lock device. If it were that simple don't you think we will ever have this issue. Hell the term network lock won't even exist in a perfect world.
---------- Post added at 03:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 AM ----------
twfs said:
I am guessing that it is still sim locked to metropcs after flashing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And yes there are several Motorola Devices that are firmware interchangeable. Been doing it since the first Moto X times. Only benefit from this procedure no bloatware and faster updates that's it. Oh and better performance since it doesn't include crappware
Medfordite said:
Last night as part of rooting, I was getting issues with the MetroPCS Ocean firmware with the update failing message. I took a look at the RETUS firmwares and saw the latest so I took a chance and was able to flash the Retail version with no problems, booted up and 'worked out of the box' so to speak. It is also lighter on the features since it doesn't include the MetroPCS apps. I am not going to try rooting with this one, but it seems to be quite stable and an a little faster if that makes any sense.
Your mileage may vary!
You assume any risk by attempting the same thing on your device, but I figured it would be something someone would be interested in knowing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PartyDroid said:
I'm running Cricket software on a MetroPCS device &
I'm running Amazon software on a MetroPCS device
Cons on both I've come across so far.
Cricket software on a MetroPCS device I get Boot screen says Bad key in top left corner before loading the device.
Amazon software on a MetroPCS device I get a Boot screen says untrusted device before loading the device.
Pros is they both work great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm interested in flashing my MetroPCS g7 stock unrooted to the Amazon rom if you care to point me in the right direction please.
disobey said:
I'm interested in flashing my MetroPCS g7 stock unrooted to the Amazon rom if you care to point me in the right direction please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PSA. If you flsh Cricket, Metro etc Roth the RETUS Latest firmware you won't be able to go back to you LG firmware. That firmware updates the Bootloader and that preventa going back to a lower workifn version. You can doing what I posted earlier by while flashing back to OG Firmware skip flashing modem and fsg bins and don't execute the modem erase commands.
disobey said:
I'm interested in flashing my MetroPCS g7 stock unrooted to the Amazon rom if you care to point me in the right direction please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/ocean/official/AMZ/
Ok I bricked my phone via magisk update, I was on MetroPCS variant of Ocean firmware. Now I manually flashed RETUS PPO 29.114-108; It seems to be running fine other than saying my device is not certified....is there a custom recovery that will work for Ocean RETUS using twrp? Should I try to re root using magisk systemless-ly copying boot.img? Thanks for info and any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
PartyDroid said:
https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/ocean/official/AMZ/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we get directions on how you guys are doing this please. I've tried using the back to stock directions but extracting a different firmware but it's not working. I have Metropcs.....I extracted Tmobile firmware and use the back to stock commands...but when rebooting its' still Metropcs....please help with some directions.
nashi20002003 said:
Can we get directions on how you guys are doing this please. I've tried using the back to stock directions but extracting a different firmware but it's not working. I have Metropcs.....I extracted Tmobile firmware and use the back to stock commands...but when rebooting its' still Metropcs....please help with some directions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to know as well, I got 2 of these Moto G Power 7's from Metro PCS and would love a stock ROM without all the metro bloat. Not sure on Metro's unlocking policy if they will unlock it and what bands this all has if it has CDMA or is it GSM only?
chennault05 said:
Ok I bricked my phone via magisk update, I was on MetroPCS variant of Ocean firmware. Now I manually flashed RETUS PPO 29.114-108; It seems to be running fine other than saying my device is not certified....is there a custom recovery that will work for Ocean RETUS using twrp? Should I try to re root using magisk systemless-ly copying boot.img? Thanks for info and any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I were you I will stay away from Magisk until they update the app, still damaging the boot.img files..
Omar04 said:
Flashing a Carrier or Retail ROM won't ever unlock a Carrier Lock device. If it were that simple don't you think we will ever have this issue. Hell the term network lock won't even exist in a perfect world.
---------- Post added at 03:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 AM ----------
And yes there are several Motorola Devices that are firmware interchangeable. Been doing it since the first Moto X times. Only benefit from this procedure no bloatware and faster updates that's it. Oh and better performance since it doesn't include crappware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know if there is a way to sim-unlock a Metro device? Searched on eBay, no luck... thanks.
edwardxi said:
Do you know if there is a way to sim-unlock a Metro device? Searched on eBay, no luck... thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note to Admin: I am not sure if this link is allowed if not please remove this message..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264407271128?ViewItem=&item=264407271128
PartyDroid said:
Note to Admin: I am not sure if this link is allowed if not please remove this message..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264407271128?ViewItem=&item=264407271128
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, I found one on eBay for $38... too expensive, used to around $10
nashi20002003 said:
Can we get directions on how you guys are doing this please. I've tried using the back to stock directions but extracting a different firmware but it's not working. I have Metropcs.....I extracted Tmobile firmware and use the back to stock commands...but when rebooting its' still Metropcs....please help with some directions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instructions are in the thread back to stock.
Secondly, I'm on MetroPCS and flashed the retus2 firmware (BestBuy versions) no MetroPCS bloatware. Flash the retus2 and you'll be fine.
edwardxi said:
thanks, I found one on eBay for $38... too expensive, used to around $10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably won't find one cheaper. $10 ones are ones that give you a code to unlock. Unlocking a MetroPCS/TMO G7Power with the Server unlock app requires a person to remotely connect to your phone and edit your NV files. Currently they are changing the imei to a different model phone that they can generate the unlock codes for. Since they are using a different model phone imei, activating on Sprint Network could be an issue since Sprint is picky as to what phones they put on their network.
If I flash "retail" firmware on a TMO Sim locked Moto G7 power will it ask me for an unlock code that I don't have? Bought it on eBay and TMO says its eligible to unlock but refuses because I'm not the original owner. Bootloader is unlocked.
EDIT: Figured out my issue. Was my fault. Flashed the RETAILUS firmware on my MetroPCS model.
Thanks OP!
Also to add to this, the Metro model is NOT supposed to be compitable with Verizon due to lack of CDMA.... Well Magically the phone now supports CDMA so it has a CDMA radio in it!

Change firmware (Ls997zvb)

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.
Thanks and cheers,,

Changing CSC code from a different model number

Hey Guys, I am in desperate need of help.
So I bought the note 20 ultra (model N986-U) from a seller in Texas (I live in Canada). The phones original csc code was ATT/ATT/ATT. I have a rogers sim card (csc code RWC). I noticed the phone is still stuck on One UI 2.5 because I am not connected to the ATT network.
So I tried changing the CSC using SamKey. I bought some credits, followed the steps and now for some reason my CSS is XAA/XAA/ATT.
I understand now that my phones model does not have a RWC firmware. Frija can't find the software for the SM-N986U running RWC but has no problem finding the software for the SM-N988W running RWC.
Is there any way for me to update my phone without bricking it? In an ideal world I would get OTA updates. Can I download the CSC_HOME file from the SM-N986W and flash it on my SM-N986U?
I'm really sorry for the noobish questions, I read so many threads and watched so many videos but I don't have the balls to experiment with such an expensive phone.
I know you can flash U1 firmware on a U device without any issues.
That's what I did to mine.
As for flashing W software on a U/U1 device, it's technically possible considering they are identical hardware, but I cannot say for sure what impacts it might have to the phone's performance.
You can always manually flash current U firmware.
rjohnstone said:
I know you can flash U1 firmware on a U device without any issues.
That's what I did to mine.
As for flashing W software on a U/U1 device, it's technically possible considering they are identical hardware, but I cannot say for sure what impacts it might have to the phone's performance.
You can always manually flash current U firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks for the answer,
I ended up flashing the W firmware on the phone and it worked flawlessly! Now the phone shows that it's a model N986W. OTA updates still don't work tho, even though the csc shows RWC
tripleaaa123 said:
Hey thanks for the answer,
I ended up flashing the W firmware on the phone and it worked flawlessly! Now the phone shows that it's a model N986W. OTA updates still don't work tho, even though the csc shows RWC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked. Grab the latest firmware for RWC and then wait for the next update. (N986WVLU1DUB5)

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