Locked bootloader on LG H850K preventing downgrade to Android 6? - LG G5 Questions & Answers

Hi all, I have an LG H850K (as far as I can tell an APAC variant for Telstra, suspecting "K" means KILLED BOOTLOADER!). I have a business use case for which I am required to use Android Marshmallow for Band Locking. It appears that this function hasn't been updated in Android 7.x for the LG G5. I have followed every thread on this helpful site, I have;
- Used LGUP (with and without uppercut), attempting downgrade with a few different KDZ files, (H850K10d_00_TEL_AU_OP_0616.kdz, H85010C_00_OPEN_EU_OP_0415.kdz).
:: Each image gets to 11% in LGUP (~4% in Upload mode on the phone) and reports a 0x8....202 "Invalid command.." error.
- Used LGFlashUtil in an attempt to do the same.
:: I get a decompress error in the FlashUtil and barely get started with the process, but didn't press on because of above issues with LGUP.
- Follow LG's standard developer options for unlocking the bootloader, to see if that enables LGUP to succeed with the downgrade.
:: LG's website says that the bootloader is locked and unable to be unlocked for the H850K variant.
1). Is there a way to restore Band Locking functions on Android 7.x? The functions exist through Engineering Mode, via "*#546962*#850#". But they just don't work.
2). Are there any options for me to restore this phone to Android 6.x? I even suspect that using the 00_OPEN file above might disable some of the band locking features anyway because they are low-level commands. So assuming I need to persist with the H850K10d_00_TEL_AU image, are there options if I cannot unlock the bootloader?

ghostpsalm said:
Hi all, I have an LG H850K (as far as I can tell an APAC variant for Telstra, suspecting "K" means KILLED BOOTLOADER!). I have a business use case for which I am required to use Android Marshmallow for Band Locking. It appears that this function hasn't been updated in Android 7.x for the LG G5. I have followed every thread on this helpful site, I have;
- Used LGUP (with and without uppercut), attempting downgrade with a few different KDZ files, (H850K10d_00_TEL_AU_OP_0616.kdz, H85010C_00_OPEN_EU_OP_0415.kdz).
:: Each image gets to 11% in LGUP (~4% in Upload mode on the phone) and reports a 0x8....202 "Invalid command.." error.
- Used LGFlashUtil in an attempt to do the same.
:: I get a decompress error in the FlashUtil and barely get started with the process, but didn't press on because of above issues with LGUP.
- Follow LG's standard developer options for unlocking the bootloader, to see if that enables LGUP to succeed with the downgrade.
:: LG's website says that the bootloader is locked and unable to be unlocked for the H850K variant.
1). Is there a way to restore Band Locking functions on Android 7.x? The functions exist through Engineering Mode, via "*#546962*#850#". But they just don't work.
2). Are there any options for me to restore this phone to Android 6.x? I even suspect that using the 00_OPEN file above might disable some of the band locking features anyway because they are low-level commands. So assuming I need to persist with the H850K10d_00_TEL_AU image, are there options if I cannot unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I can think of get root access how I have yet to work out but from there you can install flashafire and can flash just about anything except kernel stuff.....good luck.

Did you manage to find a solution to this problem? I am in the exact same position and need to downgrade the H850k back down to Marshmallow to enable the band locking.

oidar1 said:
Did you manage to find a solution to this problem? I am in the exact same position and need to downgrade the H850k back down to Marshmallow to enable the band locking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No solution. It seems I had exhausted most options as written above. It appears that Telstra has completely locked down the bootloader, which means no root access, etc., etc. I am sure its in the name of security, but it does in fact mean there is not real hope to revert. That is, unless you are keen on de-soldering the flash, using alternate methods to re-flash the memory and then resolder into the phone.

Related

G5 RS988 Unable to update or get into boot loader

Hi all,
I've spent a rather frustrating week or so in the throes of searching Google and XDA to figure out how to get my brand new RS988 upgraded to the 21c software version on Nougat. Here's what I've done so far:
-Check for OTA updates using the OS. No dice...it went from 11a to 11c and will not find any further updates.
-Use LG Bridge to try to update the software. No dice. The software tries to get the current OS version and then says "cannot find operating system version" and won't contact home base to get the new files.
-Reboot into boot loader to install TWRP. No dice...the phone will not reboot into the boot loader for some reason. I've tried using both the ADB method of "adb reboot bootloader" and "adb reboot-bootloader", but both just have it reboot into the full OS. I've also tried powering on the phone while holding the volume down button, to no avail.
-All root and TWRP methods, and even getting the official bootloader unlock require booting into the boot loader
The one thing I *have* been able to get to work was re-flashing a KDZ of the RS98811c software from autoprime's linked repository.
As best as I can tell, I am stuck. Without being able to install TWRP via the boot loader I don't know how to update the software. Please help me figure this out!
Edit: additional device info added
Android version: 6.0.1, 2016-07-01 security patch
Baseband version: MPSS.TH.2.0.c1.4-00010-M8996FAAAANAZM-1.43591.5
Kernel: 3.18.20
Build: MMB29M
Configuration: F15.LGE.RS988.0
Software version: RS98811c
Security software: MDF v2.0 Release 1
Thanks!
Use lg up
It's possible that you have the RS988.BPT version (Brightpoint), which only got updated to 11h, I believe. I sent in a RS988.USA version, and they swapped for a new BPT motherboard. I've since sent it back yet again to get that resolved.
It appears to be a Tracfone Wireless version, according to the box, at least. It was supposed to be new, not refurb, so fingers crossed that's all good as well. Even if it was the Brightpoint version, wouldn't that have been fixed when I flashed the USA stock ROM?
I also don't see how to use LG UP to reboot into boot loader mode. It only shows me the phone, with nothing clickable, and a selection of 4 processes: refurbish, upgrade, phonesetting, and FOTA upgrade. Not wanting to mess up my phone, I am trying to be cautious about just trying either of the latter two options. Especially without a file there. Thoughts?
You did unlock the bootloader am I correct?
Matthew_Jay said:
You did unlock the bootloader am I correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. I can't get into the bootloader (unless I've totally missed a method to do that). Even the instructions on LG's website pre-suppose that you can enter the bootloader. Step 9 on their bootloader unlock instructions say:
9. Enter your phone’s unique Device ID. You can view the Device ID by connecting your phone to the PC using a USB cable and entering "adb reboot bootloader" in DOS command window of the folder you created in previous step (for example: C:\tools). Your phone will reboot into the fastboot mode. Enter "fastboot oem device-id" in DOS command window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, issuing that command simply reboots the phone without a bootloader in sight. Any commands issued by fastboot after the "adb reboot bootloader" command just sit there saying "waiting for device". I think if I could get this far, the excellent instructions elsewhere on these forums would have me sorted the rest of the way, since then I could use TWRP to flash a more recent OS version. Thus far, it's only LG UP which works, which also requires a .KDZ file, but I can't find one for any version > 11c.
One further edit - I re-read autoprime's instructions and was at least able to get the phone to boot into recovery mode. (I can't tell whether the grey or white highlight is the "active" selection, so I haven't tried selecting one since I'd rather not wipe my device unnecessarily.) But in that mode it won't connect to my Win10 machine for adb or fastboot to do anything. Still can't get it into fastboot mode using "adb reboot bootloader". What am I missing? Feel free to be super-basic, since it's probably something of that sort.
AdamDG said:
One further edit - I re-read autoprime's instructions and was at least able to get the phone to boot into recovery mode. (I can't tell whether the grey or white highlight is the "active" selection, so I haven't tried selecting one since I'd rather not wipe my device unnecessarily.) But in that mode it won't connect to my Win10 machine for adb or fastboot to do anything. Still can't get it into fastboot mode using "adb reboot bootloader". What am I missing? Feel free to be super-basic, since it's probably something of that sort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple answer is "You can't". I am in the same boat, stuck on 11c with no OTAs in sight. The ability to boot into the bootloader wasn't added until a later version (11h, I think?) So until/unless LG releases a KDZ of one of the later versions, you (and I) are out of luck.
Further futile time spent with LG revealed one more issue: the phone apparently was originally for Tracfone. (Never mind that I bought something specified as RS988.AUSATN and not as RS988.ATFNTN.) LG claims they have no say in the operating system or updates (even before they determined it was Tracfone) and now Tracfone says LG is solely responsible for the OS.
What is going on with these jokers?
AdamDG said:
Further futile time spent with LG revealed one more issue: the phone apparently was originally for Tracfone. (Never mind that I bought something specified as RS988.AUSATN and not as RS988.ATFNTN.) LG claims they have no say in the operating system or updates (even before they determined it was Tracfone) and now Tracfone says LG is solely responsible for the OS.
What is going on with these jokers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey AdamDG, were you able to solve your issue? I am stuck with the same situation and asinine LG folks won't help me out because Total Wireless/Tracfone are supposed to take care of the matter. But the latter are not responsible for software updates because they are MVNOs and don't (need to) care.
Truly jokers, but more importantly, taking customers for a s(laughter) ride!

Need help removing SIM-Lock, possibly reinstalling Stock Android ROM

Hello,
I got an old Galaxy SIII (GT-I9300, Dutch Version) for free. However it appears to be SIM-Locked. I cannot get an unlock code from the prior owner, so I'm looking for a workaround. I heard that you can unlock the phone manually in Android 4+ (at least with European carriers).
Unfortunately, I immediately installed LineageOS 14 over the stock OS and only found out afterwards that apparently (jira.lineageos.org/browse/BUGBASH-397) LOS cannot unlock the SIM they way the Stock Android can. Is this correct?
If I need to install an original OS image (I have a Dutch one at hand already that seems to match the phone), could you point me to directions on how to accomplish this? I use Linux, so the Odin tool for Window isn't available to me. Can I do this using adb, heimdall or something similar?
Thanks in advance!
Update
I managed to flash the old Android image using heimdall. However it appears I cannot use the *#197328640# method to get to the unlock menu; I get something like "Not registered on network", which is obviously true since I'm trying to SIM unlock the phone with a new SIM card (from my current phone). I also read that Android 4.3 might not support this manual unlocking anymore the way 4.1 did.
It's free phone for me, but I might have to accept that I cannot get it to work (for free).
Nvdata unlock doesn't work after 4.1.2 as it was patched. If you want sim unlock then you must pay for it. Downgrading will not help.

Any methods to acquire root and/or unlock bootloader on the K92?

I am sure if you have found this forum, you are also looking for the ability to root the LG K92. Unfornatuely, it looks like as it stands currently there is no known way to root the K92.
There was one glimmer of hope on another thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/root-aquired.4253159/ but it looks like that may have been a dead end as well.
Am I understanding, unless there is a exploit to gain root access from the Android 10 OS, the only possible way would be to get the bootloader unlocked. I have a K929AM (LG K92 from AT&T) and, as I am sure you already know, LG does not have that on the supported list for bootloader unlocking. In fact, it looks like all of the K series phones do not have bootloader unlocking supported. When you try to boot to Bootloader, it boots into the OS and if you boot to fastboot, you get fastbootd where the OEM unlock does not even appear to work.
According to https://lgk20.com/lg-k92-5g-root-bootloader-unlock-twrp-custom-rom-lmk920am/ (scroll to the bottom) we would expect to see a "bootloader unlock page" but I am not even sure if the LG K92 has one of these and, even if it does, if it would be accessible.
Does anyone have any suggestions on any unsupported methods on how to unlock the bootloader on this phone? I would be happy to test anything at this point. If we can somehow figure this out, this method may work on other K-series devices which would be a big win. So far, the only menus I can access are FASTBOOTD and Download Mode.
To add to this, it looks like it is possible to access the Bootloader (bootloader unlock page) from the LG K20. https://lgk20.com/lg-k20-plus-unlock-bootloader-metropcs-mp260-t-mobile-tp260/2/
I am wondering if it is possible to somehow force the K92 into this menu even if short circuiting something on the board.
Anyone have any ideas?

unofficial unlocking method for LG G5 h850 ???

Hi there,
since LG ended its bootloader unlocking Service on December 31 - 2021, is there a chance that there will be an unofficial unlocking method in the near future?
Just got a LG G5 h850 which is still looked :-(
Thanks
[UNLOCK][UNOFFICIAL][G4] Unlock ANY* LG G4 device with UsU
About UsU = Unofficial secureboot-off/steadfasterX Unlock *works with any G4 model. Even though the h818 can be unlocked as well the touch display does not work anymore (should be possible to resolve but.. read on). so I decided to remove it...
forum.xda-developers.com
Install /e/OS on a LG G4 (AR,PX,L,P,T) - “h815_usu”
@dave-x, any news? Is this working for h850?
NO it did not work!!!
so I tried
Unlocking the bootloader
Download and Boot FWUL/mAid
Always download the latest iso file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start SALT (folder LG)
Select backup and create a full backup of your device
Check ARB value (must be 0, 1 or 2 but not higher then 2)
Open the Advanced menu
Select Unlock G4 (UsU)
Follow the instructions
but since i have a G5 850
when i select Unlock G4 (UsU)
I get an ERROR message saying: "Your Download mode version is not supported ! Downgrade to LP or MM !
So I´m not sure what that means..
Hi there. I am a user of LG G5 h860. The loader is locked. Please tell, are there any ways to unlock loaders in 2022? Are there alternative ways to download the firmware?
Greetings from Ukraine!
I also have H850 ZAF and would love to run lineageos
It does not look like you will be successful. Unlocking bootloader inofficially is not really easy, as it requires hacking the public key infrastructure used to protect the bootloader.
Check out there: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...-for-offline-bootloader-unlock.3603855/page-5
All emails towards LG will be rejected explaining that they do not offer the unlock service anymore. Unbelievably dissapointing, but true. Also I bought the h850, but now I have no use anymore for it. Wasted money.
Just came across this thread, so I just bought a replacemnt h850 from ebay. Very disapointed by LG. :-(
Is there a way to unlock the bootloader today, a friend of mine gave me his phone to unlock it but it isn't so easy I realized. Thanks for all help.
I would move on. I did, even though I've recently bought H850 for family member. Nobody is working on hacking old, cheap, obsolete phones and there is 0% chance LG is changing their minds.
this is very bad, I ordered the phone from eBay from the EU 850 (180eur) version from the seller with a 1 year warranty, new, unopened packaging. In our country there is a service that does unlocking, unlock bootloader, upgrade to LineageOS. I don't know if they will do it for LG G5 if there is a big problem with the bootloader.
I'll have to stay with Android 8 if I get the update. The phone will have if I understand the gsm arena site Android 6 from factory.
Maybe someone smarter than me, this Black Hat Briefings presentation will help find a way to unlock our phones?
I am a noob so I understand a maximum half of it, but maybe it will help someone find a solution.
https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-Breaking-Secure-Bootloaders.pdf
This looks plausible?
Could just be clickbate but someone went to a lot of trouble to make it if so
dave-x said:
NO it did not work!!!
so I tried
Unlocking the bootloader
Download and Boot FWUL/mAid
Start SALT (folder LG)
Select backup and create a full backup of your device
Check ARB value (must be 0, 1 or 2 but not higher then 2)
Open the Advanced menu
Select Unlock G4 (UsU)
Follow the instructions
but since i have a G5 850
when i select Unlock G4 (UsU)
I get an ERROR message saying: "Your Download mode version is not supported ! Downgrade to LP or MM !
So I´m not sure what that means..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it meant downgrade to MarshMallow, which the g5 does have, so this could work
dave-x said:
NO it did not work!!!
so I tried
Unlocking the bootloader
Download and Boot FWUL/mAid
Start SALT (folder LG)
Select backup and create a full backup of your device
Check ARB value (must be 0, 1 or 2 but not higher then 2)
Open the Advanced menu
Select Unlock G4 (UsU)
Follow the instructions
but since i have a G5 850
when i select Unlock G4 (UsU)
I get an ERROR message saying: "Your Download mode version is not supported ! Downgrade to LP or MM !
So I´m not sure what that means..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't "LP" mean "Lollipop" and "MM" mean "Marshmallow"
JakoDel said:
it meant downgrade to MarshMallow, which the g5 does have, so this could work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to downgrade my H850 to MM. But it didn't work. Same error message "Your Download mode version is not supported ! Downgrade to LP or MM !".
I think it only works for G4.
dave-x said:
[UNLOCK][UNOFFICIAL][G4] Unlock ANY* LG G4 device with UsU
About UsU = Unofficial secureboot-off/steadfasterX Unlock *works with any G4 model. Even though the h818 can be unlocked as well the touch display does not work anymore (should be possible to resolve but.. read on). so I decided to remove it...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dannychow said:
I tried to downgrade my H850 to MM. But it didn't work. Same error message "Your Download mode version is not supported ! Downgrade to LP or MM !".
I think it only works for G4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This appears to be a tool for the G4, not the G5. Unless I'm missing something about them adding G5 functionality, my guess would be that's why it doesn't work.

State of LG G5 root & custom ROMs end of 2022

Hi folks - after reading through a number of threads on here I can't seem to find a definitive answer to this question now that LG's unlock site is retired:
Is it possible to root and/or install a custom recovery and/or install a custom ROM if you have an LG G5 on a stock ROM right now? I just purchased an unlocked RS988 and would like to do all of the above, but I'm starting to think the scene is dead and/or dying. Can someone confirm / deny the state of modding an LG G5?
I can't even install basic apps like Microsoft Authenticator right now as I'm on RS98810h and my attempts to upgrade by following these instructions ended in an error via LG UP that forced me to use LG Bridge to recover the phone back to a safe condition.
I'd love to mess with it some more but haven't found any current instructions that work. Love this site BTW, I've used it to install custom OSes on many a phone & tablet.
Only H830 can be rooted for any other variants your SOL. It's highly unlikely that root will be achieved for H850 and RS988
Thanks for the info, that's kind of what I concluded from searching around here.
Just wondering, has anyone been able to install Oreo on the RS988 just via normal methods (LG Flash / LG Up)? I know the Verizon version got it (I have one with Oreo) but would love to get it on the RS988 as well. It seems possible, but I just don't have the know-how to cobble together a flashable ROM. I'm sure at this point nobody really cares and has moved on, but if anyone out there knows of a way to do it I'd try anything at this point.
Hi, Its Jan 2023 and I am querying what the chances are of rooting a H850 so I can use it as an appendage to a head unit in an old car with an aux in. I've managed to adb it into bootloader mode and it recognises a the device, but the moment I try 'fastboot oem unlock' I just get 'unknown command' response
My prime need is just to enable auto switch on ( achieved ) and auto switch off when power supply stops. My understanding is that any solution to enable auto shut off requires root..
ebod said:
Hi, Its Jan 2023 and I am querying what the chances are of rooting a H850 so I can use it as an appendage to a head unit in an old car with an aux in. I've managed to adb it into bootloader mode and it recognises a the device, but the moment I try 'fastboot oem unlock' I just get 'unknown command' response
My prime need is just to enable auto switch on ( achieved ) and auto switch off when power supply stops. My understanding is that any solution to enable auto shut off requires root..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no longer possible without the lg bl unlock service
ROMSG said:
no longer possible without the lg bl unlock service
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there any other methods like dirty santa or engineering abl to unlock lg g5?
cooledi said:
is there any other methods like dirty santa or engineering abl to unlock lg g5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no
Absolutely no love for the LG G5 from the community,
cooledi said:
Absolutely no love for the LG G5 from the community,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually thats not true. Theres a lot of work going on behind the scenes.

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