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I have an unlocked LGV30 us998 that i would like to install the verizon VS99620j on it. is it possible? Will the verizon features like Visual Voicemail, Video calling, and wifi calling work?
charulo316 said:
I have an unlocked LGV30 us998 that i would like to install the verizon VS99620j on it. is it possible? Will the verizon features like Visual Voicemail, Video calling, and wifi calling work?
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Click to collapse
YES, when you Frankenstein any North America phone to another, it becomes that phone.
Many Verizon customers on here are using former LS998 or US998 converted to VS996 with those full features.
However, you'll probably need an already-activated Verizon SIM card. Many US998 sold on eBay are converted LS998, and Verizon won't activate former Sprint phones even if they are now US998. Where did you get your US998?
Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that the unlocked V30 is activated on Verizon already. I just want to add the other features and update the os.
charulo316 said:
Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that the unlocked V30 is activated on Verizon already. I just want to add the other features and update the os.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
When you say unlocked, you mean carrier unlocked or you've bootloader unlocked/installed TWRP/rooted?
You can get to VS996 firmware either way, but the method depends on what you have -- either flashing KDZ with Dev Patched LGUP or TWRP-flashable zips via TWRP.
It's carrier unlocked, not bootloader unlocked.
charulo316 said:
It's carrier unlocked, not bootloader unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, then Dev Patched LGUP, flashing the latest VS996 KDZ in the VS996 KDZ thread. Use REFURBISH or Partition DL mode.
Thanks for the reply, one more question, after doing the kdz in vs996, will this also allow me to get OTA's from Verizon?
charulo316 said:
Thanks for the reply, one more question, after doing the kdz in vs996, will this also allow me to get OTA's from Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not. Don't know for sure.
But very easy to use LGUP "upgrade" mode every couple of months when a new KDZ is released. Takes 5 minutes. You don't want "upgrade" mode to convert to VS996, but after that you can use it to get updates. Keeps your data -- it's like a manual OTA.
New VS996 KDZ is posted here in this forum and other sites every time it's released, which is about every couple of months.
VS99630c (30c) onto US998 with LGUP?
Does everything in this thread also apply to using Dev Patched LGUP to flash the VS99630c (30c) KDZ onto a carrier unlocked US998?
Thanks!
EFG5 said:
Does everything in this thread also apply to using Dev Patched LGUP to flash the VS99630c (30c) KDZ onto a carrier unlocked US998?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
To be safe, you should really flash Nougat VS996 KDZ via Partition DL mode or Refurbish mode, Master Reset, then flash Pie VS996 30C to that phone.
However since it's a VS996 and you're coming from US998, you can get by with skipping the Nougat step. But I hate telling people that, because it's only VS996/US998 which have that loophole.
All other North American variants have to go through Nougat first to cross flash -- unless they're already bootloader unlocked and rooted, in which case they can just flash the appropriate TWRP flashable zip version of that KDZ.
Anybody flash a Verizon.kdz on a Sprint LS998 with the Frankenstein method? If so, did it unlock the sim? I might switch to Sprint, but want to know if it works on Verizon first. Thanks
Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk
MicroMod777 said:
Anybody flash a Verizon.kdz on a Sprint LS998 with the Frankenstein method? If so, did it unlock the sim? I might switch to Sprint, but want to know if it works on Verizon first. Thanks
Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it does. but you will need an already-activated Verzion SIM card as Verizon will not take phones with Sprint IMEI. (You probably have that, since you are on Verizon.)
ChazzMatt said:
Yes, it does. but you will need an already-activated Verzion SIM card as Verizon will not take phones with Sprint IMEI. (You probably have that, since you are on Verizon.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So even if its sim locked, the Verizon kdz flash sim unlocks it? Sorry for being specific. Don't Don't want to be stuck with it sim locked to Sprint only. Thanks
Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk
Any of the carrier unlocked kdz will carrier unlock an ls998. Vs996, us998, as998, h933...
However if you wish to bootloader unlock and root, you need to first flash it to us998 to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP, then flash vs996 TWRP flashable zip.
If you don't care about bootloader unlock and root, then just flash straight to vs996.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
Any of the carrier unlocked kdz will carrier unlock an ls998. Vs996, us998, as998, h933...
however if you wish to bootloader unlock and root, you need to First flash it to us998 to unlock the bootloader install TWRP, then flash vs996 TWRP flashable zip.
If you don't care about bootloader unlock and root, then just flashes straight to vs996.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet. I was mainly concerned for sim unlocking it to use on Verizon. I might switch to Sprint before my billing cycle ends. They got a killer kickstarted deal, $25 unlimited data, calling, text.
Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk
I have a V30+ US998 and came with Nougat US99810c. It anks for update via OTA fron US99810d. But is from AliExpress and in the logo when you turn on the phone just shows V30 and not V30+. But it has 128GB. If I update OTA will give hardbrick? What you recommend?
wesley_fg said:
I have a V30+ US998 and came with Nougat US99810c. It anks for update via OTA fron US99810d. But is from AliExpress and in the logo when you turn on the phone just shows V30 and not V30+. But it has 128GB. If I update OTA will give hardbrick? What you recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recommend you manually flash USS98 KDZ via LGUP.
ChazzMatt said:
Recommend you manually flash USS98 KDZ via LGUP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how can I know that really is US998+? If I install KDZ can't I hardbrick my phone?
wesley_fg said:
And how can I know that really is US998+? If I install KDZ can't I hardbrick my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whether it's real or not, it already is on a us998 ROM. So you shouldn't have any issues installing other us998 ROM.
galapagos said:
Whether it's real or not, it already is on a us998 ROM. So you shouldn't have any issues installing other us998 ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When turn the phone ok, only shows V30. Doesn't shows V30+. I don't know If ia because my firmware is too old or is because ia refurbished. Is that normal? But the memory os 128.
wesley_fg said:
When turn the phone ok, only shows V30. Doesn't shows V30+. I don't know If ia because my firmware is too old or is because ia refurbished. Is that normal? But the memory os 128.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kdz us998 20h (see wtf thread). Why ask questions if u don't listen
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/wtf-lg-v30-t3790500
wesley_fg said:
And how can I know that really is US998+? If I install KDZ can't I hardbrick my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does it matter if it was originally US998 V30+ or not? You said it has US998 firmware on it NOW, and you said it has 128GB internal memory. That fits the definition of US998 V30+.
To be honest, if it still has Nougat on it and V30 showing instead of V30+, that's symptoms of dealer probably Frankensteining (via Octopus box) from some other North American variant to US998 -- then not "finishing" the job to update to Oreo. But at this point in time, it's a US998 with 128GB internal memory.
All North American variants are compatible with other North American variants -- EXCEPT for T-mobile H932. Since you are already on US998 firmware, then it was previously either H931, H933, US998 (64GB), AS998, LS998, VS996 -- but doesn't matter. Maybe originally it was even 64GB US998 and they swapped in 128GB internal memory from another phone. Really doesn't matter at this point in time. You never owned that previous phone, whatever it was. You NOW have US998.
(Yes, I could tell you how to find out what the phone was originally, if it was something different -- but it's not relevant to this current discussion about updating to US998 Oreo and would only confuse you. So, let's not go there.)
galapagos said:
Whether it's real or not, it already is on a us998 ROM. So you shouldn't have any issues installing other us998 ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HueyT said:
Why ask questions if u don't listen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RIGHT. We told him at the beginning...
wesley_fg said:
When turn the phone ok, only shows V30. Doesn't shows V30+. I don't know If ia because my firmware is too old or is because ia refurbished. Is that normal? But the memory os 128.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please stop obsessing about that. I told you back in post #2 of this thread what to do:
ChazzMatt said:
Recommend you manually flash USS98 KDZ via LGUP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go here, download Oreo US998 20h KDZ as well as the attached Dev Patched LGUP.
[US998][STOCK][OREO]LG V30 US998 US99820h_00_0318.KDZ
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/us998-lg-v30-us998-us99820a040330-kdz-t3786337
Flash in either Upgrade mode or -- if you want to REALLY make sure -- in Refurbish mode.
______
If you are CURIOUS, read the first couple of paragraphs on the Frankenstein instructions (see attached screenshot).
There's 5 steps, and you are you are on Step 4 right now. You just have to finish the job. Someone else has already done Steps 1, 2, 3, for you. Instead of Upgrade mode, you should consider Refurbish mode.
ChazzMatt said:
What does it matter if it was originally US998 V30+ or not? You said it has US998 firmware on it NOW, and you said it has 128GB internal memory. That fits the definition of US998 V30+.
To be honest, if it still has Nougat on it and V30 showing instead of V30+, that's symptoms of dealer probably Frankensteining (via Octopus box) from some other North American variant to US998 -- then not "finishing" the job to update to Oreo. But at this point in time, it's a US998 with 128GB internal memory.
All North American variants are compatible with other North American variants -- EXCEPT for T-mobile H932. Since you are already on US998 firmware, then it was previously either H931, H933, US998 (64GB), AS998, LS998, VS996 -- but doesn't matter. Maybe originally it was even 64GB US998 and they swapped in 128GB internal memory from another phone. Really doesn't matter at this point in time. You never owned that previous phone, whatever it was. You NOW have US998.
(Yes, I could tell you how to find out what the phone was originally, if it was something different -- but it's not relevant to this current discussion about updating to US998 Oreo and would only confuse you. So, let's not go there.)
RIGHT. We told him at the beginning...
Please stop obsessing about that. I told you back in post #2 of this thread what to do:
Go here, download Oreo US998 20h KDZ as well as the attached Dev Patched LGUP.
[US998][STOCK][OREO]LG V30 US998 US99820h_00_0318.KDZ
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/us998-lg-v30-us998-us99820a040330-kdz-t3786337
Flash in either Upgrade mode or -- if you want to REALLY make sure -- in Refurbish mode.
______
If you are CURIOUS, read the first couple of paragraphs on the Frankenstein instructions (see attached screenshot).
There's 5 steps, and you are you are on Step 4 right now. You just have to finish the job. Someone else has already done Steps 1, 2, 3, for you. Instead of Upgrade mode, you should consider Refurbish mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about my ignorance. But in case my phone is a frankstein, what happen if I upgrade OTA? In the case, is just asking a security update. The frankstain version upgrades OTA narmally? In the case I chose to use LGUP. I have a patched LGUP (that I used to root my V20 H910 that I sold) and can be use partition DLL option? I think is more easy to use OTA, because I don't have to format my phone. In the case, can I know if is frankstein using the IMEI? OR IMEI can be modified?
wesley_fg said:
Sorry about my ignorance. But in case my phone is a frankstein, what happen if I upgrade OTA? In the case, is just asking a security update. The frankstain version upgrades OTA narmally? In the case I chose to use LGUP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's giving you the option of OTA for security update, you can take it. See what version you are on after that. If it gives you Oreo OTA option, you can take that.
After Nougat 10d is Oreo.
No, most Frankenstein won't give you OTA update options. So that means maybe do you have original US998, but perhaps they just did something to update internal memory to 128GB...
ChazzMatt said:
If it's giving you the option of OTA for security update, you can take it. See what version you are on after that. If it gives you Oreo OTA option, you can take that.
After Nougat 10d is Oreo.
No, most Frankenstein won't give you OTA update options. So that means maybe do you have original US998, but perhaps they just did something to update internal memory to 128GB...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did search by the IMEI and I find an interesting information. In site IMEI Pro says that my phone is the US998 Plus, but the serial number information there is different of my phone menu. I don't know if they changed the IMEI or serial number. This information is possible to say if my phone is modify? If the serial number is different, can affect the update?
wesley_fg said:
I did search by the IMEI and I find an interesting information. In site IMEI Pro says that my phone is the US998 Plus, but the serial number information there is different of my phone menu. I don't know if they changed the IMEI or serial number. This information is possible to say if my phone is modify? If the serial number is different, can affect the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shouldn't affect the update.
ChazzMatt said:
It shouldn't affect the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I installed Oreo with OTA. Upgraded for from 10c to Nougat 10d and after that, to 20b Oreo. Now the initial logo shows V30+ ThinQ. My phone probillity is a real US998+. I world like to unlock bootloader and root my phone. Can I upgrade to 20d? Or you recommend me to stay on 20b?
wesley_fg said:
Thanks, I installed Oreo with OTA. Upgraded for from 10c to Nougat 10d and after that, to 20b Oreo. Now the initial logo shows V30+ ThinQ. My phone probillity is a real US998+. I world like to unlock bootloader and root my phone. Can I upgrade to 20d? Or you recommend me to stay on 20b?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stay on 20b for right now. To unlock the US998 V30+ bootloader you need to be on 20a or 20b, to take advantage of the early Oreo bootloader unlock exploit we call "WTF".
AFTER you unlock Bootloader, install TWRP and root, you can update to most recent Oreo 20h using TWRP flashable zips.
Read the WTF instructions thoroughly. Even print them out if you can.
You're on exactly the version firmware you need right now for bootloader unlock.
Go read this sticky. Read both post #1 and post #2:
ROOT Your LG V30!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/root-v30-t3927154
ChazzMatt said:
Stay on 20b for right now. To unlock the US998 V30+ bootloader you need to be on 20a or 20b, to take advantage of the early Oreo bootloader unlock exploit we call "WTF".
AFTER you unlock Bootloader, install TWRP and root, you can update to most recent Oreo 20h using TWRP flashable zips.
Read the WTF instructions thoroughly. Even print them out if you can.
You're on exactly the version firmware you need right now for bootloader unlock.
Go read this sticky. Read both post #1 and post #2:
ROOT Your LG V30!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/root-v30-t3927154
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I want to sell the phone, can I go back to stock ROM in TWRP and lock bootloader again? Or in the V30 case, the bootloader will stay unlock?
wesley_fg said:
If I want to sell the phone, can I go back to stock ROM in TWRP and lock bootloader again? Or in the V30 case, the bootloader will stay unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, at any time you can go back to full stock KDZ and re-lock bootloader. Just make sure your flash back to full stock first firmware, before re-locking Bootloader.
ChazzMatt said:
Yes, at any time you can go back to full stock KDZ and re-lock bootloader. Just make sure your flash back to full stock first firmware, before re-locking Bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And If I want to test Android 9 first before root? Will I have to go back to Oreo again for root the phone? If I update to Pie, can I go back to Prep with no problem? Or I have to go back to Nougat too? And in the case I root and want to go back to stock, is just I flash a zip file with stock Rom in TWRP? And after that, it go back to stock and lock bootloader?
wesley_fg said:
And If I want to test Android 9 first before root? Will I have to go back to Oreo again for root the phone? If I update to Pie, can I go back to Prep with no problem? Or I have to go back to Nougat too? And in the case I root and want to go back to stock, is just I flash a zip file with stock Rom in TWRP? And after that, it go back to stock and lock bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read my previous reply to you:
ChazzMatt said:
Stay on 20b for right now. To unlock the US998 V30+ bootloader you need to be on 20a or 20b, to take advantage of the early Oreo bootloader unlock exploit we call "WTF".
AFTER you unlock Bootloader, install TWRP and root, you can update to most recent Oreo 20h using TWRP flashable zips.
Read the WTF instructions thoroughly. Even print them out if you can.
You're on exactly the version firmware you need right now for bootloader unlock.
Go read this sticky. Read both post #1 and post #2:
ROOT Your LG V30!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/root-v30-t3927154
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ChazzMatt said:
Yes, at any time you can go back to full stock KDZ and re-lock bootloader. Just make sure your flash back to full stock first firmware, before re-locking Bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always go back to any previous OS. BUT for bootloader unlock you need to temporarily be on early Oreo. Please read the Root Sticky.
So yeah, if you update to Pie now (I assume you mean via OTA) without first unlocking your bootloader you will have to go back to Oreo 20a or 20b to be able unlock your bootloader and root.
__
Not sure why your are asking about re-locking bootloader again, but for that (like I said before) you have to make sure you're on full stock KDZ. THEN relock it with fastboot commands. You can't have TWRP custom recovery when you do that.
ChazzMatt said:
Read my previous reply to you:
You can always go back to any previous OS. BUT for bootloader unlock you need to temporarily be on early Oreo. Please read the Root Sticky.
So yeah, if you update to Pie now (I assume you mean via OTA) without first unlocking your bootloader you will have to go back to Oreo 20a or 20b to be able unlock your bootloader and root.
__
Not sure why your are asking about re-locking bootloader again, but for that (like I said before) you have to make sure you're on full stock KDZ. THEN relock it with fastboot commands. You can't have TWRP custom recovery when you do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understood. In the case, can I go directly to Android Pie in this tutorial? I make a backup of my system and wipe all data and clean operational system and reboot in recovery mode with only TWRP, then I install the Pie zip file and then, the files that you recommend in your tutorial. In the case I can have my phone root with Pie. I did that with my old V20 to Oreo, but I had to install the TWRP before reboot. In the case, can I do with V30?
ChazzMatt said:
Stay on 20b for right now. To unlock the US998 V30+ bootloader you need to be on 20a or 20b, to take advantage of the early Oreo bootloader unlock exploit we call "WTF".
AFTER you unlock Bootloader, install TWRP and root, you can update to most recent Oreo 20h using TWRP flashable zips.
Read the WTF instructions thoroughly. Even print them out if you can.
You're on exactly the version firmware you need right now for bootloader unlock.
Go read this sticky. Read both post #1 and post #2:
ROOT Your LG V30!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/root-v30-t3927154
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
**** I updated to 20d... I thought all firmware version were bootloader unlockable... Am I screwed?
yeahman45 said:
**** I updated to 20d... I thought all firmware version were bootloader unlockable... Am I screwed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not screwed but you need to temporarily downgrade back to 20a or 20b to first unlock bootloader.
Go read this sticky. Read both post #1 and post #2:
ROOT Your LG V30!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/root-v30-t3927154
I will be unlocking my phone in about a month and moving to TMobile.
I'm just curious, has anyone moved their v30 plus from sprint to tmo and it work fine? (After unlocking it off course)
I do know there is one band that will not work, 600 or something like that, and I'm ok with that, as long as the rest will work ok.
easyrider77 said:
I will be unlocking my phone in about a month and moving to TMobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about carrier unlock or also bootloader unlock/root?
easyrider77 said:
I'm just curious, has anyone moved their v30 plus from sprint to tmo and it work fine? (After unlocking it off course)
I do know there is one band that will not work, 600 or something like that, and I'm ok with that, as long as the rest will work ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, many use on U.S. T-Mobile. Because the easiest way to carrier unlock LS998 is to flash US998 firmware. Convert LS998 V30+ to US99 V30+.
See the Frankenstein instructions.
At the end of the process you will have carrier unlocked US998 with these bands:
US998
CDMA: 800 MHz CDMA
2G GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS (HSPA):850/900/1900/2100 MHz
4G LTE Bands: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12(17)/13/20/25/66
LTE band 71 is the only U.S. T-Mobile LTE band the US998 not any other V30 have except the T-Mobile H932.
ChazzMatt said:
Are you talking about carrier unlock or also bootloader unlock/root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just carrier unlock.
Not wanting to root although I have rooted multiple other phones before, so I am comfortable with doing so if and when I decide to.
So that brings me to a couple other questions. I have looked over the Frankenstein thread on how to flash from ls998 to us998 and even have the files for lgup downloaded, but I was curious about a few things.
1: say if I flash and get on TMobile fine and everything works then for whatever reason I want to go back to sprint, will the us998 work on sprint or will I have to flash back to ls998 for it to work?
2: if it's needed to flash back to ls998, the only way I am reading on forums is to unlock the bootloader and root, unless there is another way without rooting that I missed? If there is a rootless way could anyone direct me to that, I'd appreciate it greatly.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way anti-root, it's just not for me with this phone, so I'm trying to do all this without rooting (if possible)
easyrider77 said:
Just carrier unlock.
Not wanting to root although I have rooted multiple other phones before, so I am comfortable with doing so if and when I decide to.
So that brings me to a couple other questions. I have looked over the Frankenstein thread on how to flash from ls998 to us998 and even have the files for lgup downloaded, but I was curious about a few things.
1: say if I flash and get on TMobile fine and everything works then for whatever reason I want to go back to sprint, will the us998 work on sprint or will I have to flash back to ls998 for it to work?
2: if it's needed to flash back to ls998, the only way I am reading on forums is to unlock the bootloader and root, unless there is another way without rooting that I missed? If there is a rootless way could anyone direct me to that, I'd appreciate it greatly.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way anti-root, it's just not for me with this phone, so I'm trying to do all this without rooting (if possible)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both Sprint and AT&T do not release public KDZ (firmware images). For LS998, to carrier unlock it and get most compatibility with other North American carriers the method is to convert it (Frankenstein) to a native carrier unlocked firmware -- like Open Market US998 or even Canada H931. US998 is more popular because it also has fastboot flash commands.
While it's not entirely a one-way street, it's a lot harder to go back -- because Sprint doesn't release public KDZ images. Our talented devs have created their own TWRP flashable zips (basically ROMs) to flash back to Sprint firmware via TWRP. One dev even created a TWRP flashable zip for warranty return purposes that would flash back stock recovery, erasing TWRP custom recovery.
To use those, yes you have to be bootloader unlocked and have TWRP custom recovery.
While you can use US998 on Sprint, there are two caveats which may apply to you. Three Sprint LTE bands are missing on US998 and in the past Sprint wouldn't activate a US998 phone, even though IMEI shows it was a former LS998. However, someone recently said they were able to activate a NATIVE US998 phone on Sprint, so maybe their policies have changed? Still, in the past, the method for Sprint customers was to activate Sprint service while still on LS998 firmware, then temporarily convert to US998 for bootloader unlock and root, then flash back to Sprint firmware (to get those three LTE bands back) using TWRP flashable zip -- while keeping TWRP and root. If you wanted to go back to Sprint, you would probably have to bootloader unlock, install TWRP and flash one of those dev crafted Sprint stock ROMs.
I hope I haven't confused you. There is no need for you to bootloader unlock and root just to convert to US998 to go to T-mobile. "Frankenstein" existed long before our WTF bootloader unlock and root method, to carrier unlock the Sprint LS998 and AT&T H931. Merely convert to US998 and you are carrier unlocked, have bands compatible with most other carriers, and have access to publicly released KDZ.
The LS998 was the main reason Frankenstein was created. It's a V30+ and is available very inexpensively and can be carrier unlocked very easily. Most people using it are NOT Sprint customers. Like me, they bought to convert to US998. I wrote the Frankenstein instructions and the screenshot images are from my own LS998 I bought off eBay.
ChazzMatt said:
Both Sprint and AT&T do not release public KDZ (firmware images). For LS998, to carrier unlock it and get most compatibility with other North American carriers the method is to convert it (Frankenstein) to a native carrier unlocked firmware -- like Open Market US998 or even Canada H931. US998 is more popular because it also has fastboot flash commands.
While it's not entirely a one-way street, it's a lot harder to go back -- because Sprint doesn't release public KDZ images. Our talented devs have created their own TWRP flashable zips (basically ROMs) to flash back to Sprint firmware via TWRP. One dev even created a TWRP flashable zip for warranty return purposes that would flash back stock recovery, erasing TWRP custom recovery.
To use those, yes you have to be bootloader unlocked and have TWRP custom recovery.
While you can use US998 on Sprint, there are two caveats which may apply to you. Three Sprint LTE bands are missing on US998 and in the past Sprint wouldn't activate a US998 phone, even though IMEI shows it was a former LS998. However, someone recently said they were able to activate a NATIVE US998 phone on Sprint, so maybe their policies have changed? Still, in the past, the method for Sprint customers was to activate Sprint service while still on LS998 firmware, then temporarily convert to US998 for bootloader unlock and root, then flash back to Sprint firmware (to get those three LTE bands back) using TWRP flashable zip -- while keeping TWRP and root. If you wanted to go back to Sprint, you would probably have to bootloader unlock, install TWRP and flash one of those dev crafted Sprint stock ROMs.
I hope I haven't confused you. There is no need for you to bootloader unlock and root just to convert to US998 to go to T-mobile. "Frankenstein" existed long before our WTF bootloader unlock and root method, to carrier unlock the Sprint LS998 and AT&T H931. Merely convert to US998 and you are carrier unlocked, have bands compatible with most other carriers, and have access to publicly released KDZ.
The LS998 was the main reason Frankenstein was created. It's a V30+ and is available very inexpensively and can be carrier unlocked very easily. Most people using it are NOT Sprint customers. Like me, they bought to convert to US998. I wrote the Frankenstein instructions and the screenshot images are from my own LS998 I bought off eBay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks for the info, and no it didn't confuse me at all, I completely understand all of it.
On a side note I might add, that sprint and vz both detect the bootloader unlocked and will not currectly register with thier networks as long as the bootloader is unlocked.
I know this from experience, because I had a g5s plus that was rooted and worked fine on tmo, cricket, simple mobile, yet would not currectly setup and work right on sprint or on vz.
I tried flashing a stock rom and still did not work. Only when I locked the bl again did it then work fine on both networks. I got data but no calls or texts.
Since I had a very very very bad time locking the bl on that phone, and no one had a solution, it took me upwards of near 3 months to find a way to lock the bl.
Once I got the stock rom and locked the bl it works just fine with no issues at all.
I did find out from a friend that the way to have root on those networks is register it in the network THEN root it, although I was too lazy to do that so I just left it un-rooted.
That given, I just was wondering if there a simple way to relock the bootloader in case this may happen again in the future? Perhaps via fastboot commands??
As a side note, fastboot command did not work on my g5s plus sadly. It said it worked but when I rebooted nothing happened and bootloader was still unlocked. Not sure exactly why but as you can imagine it made me a bit gun shy on rooting. I've rooted a dozen or more phones in my span of phones, from the s2 and up, and the g5s plus is and was the only phone I had issues with and had a horrible time locking the bootloader.
easyrider77 said:
That given, I just was wondering if there a simple way to relock the bootloader in case this may happen again in the future? Perhaps via fastboot commands??
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Yes, bootloader is easily re-locked on US998 firmware.
Very good. Thanks so very much for all the info.
Hopefully it will just unlock via sprint and work on TMobile and I won't have to mess with anything but either way I'm ready.
Just FYI, thank you for your hard work and efforts on the tutorial on converting to us998. I greatly appreciate you and the devs and others that make it easier for us.
So I've read some on the Frankenstein thread, and I decide to go that route I'll follow that thread.
I have not switched carriers as of yet so I am on sprint still.
I know if I am going to say tmo it's recommend to kdz flash the us988.
As I understand it, you can go to us988 fine without issues (normally) but to go back to sprint you need to reflash to ls988 and to do that, root is needed, which also requires bl unlock.
I tried a moto g5s plus with an unlocked bl on both sprint and vz, but in both cases I got data to work but no voice at all. After some research and trial and errors, I found out it was because the bl was unlocked, because I was flashed to stock rom. Once I locked the bl, everything worked fine. Some how sprint network detects the bl bring unlocked or the bl being unlocked makes it so the system doesn't work right with the phone, not sure. I also found out you can be root and use an unlocked bl once you are on the network, but not before.
So, that brings me to my question.
In order to use ls988, again you need root and unlocked bl, so that being the case, how would I go about using the ls988 without the bl being unlocked? Because with the bl unlocked, as stated above, calls won't work.
Is it possible to use the us988 abd bl locked, then get registered on the network, then flash the ls988?
Sorry for any confusion, I sometimes have a hard time explaining in words what's in my head.
easyrider77 said:
So I've read some on the Frankenstein thread, and I decide to go that route I'll follow that thread.
I have not switched carriers as of yet so I am on sprint still.
I know if I am going to say tmo it's recommend to kdz flash the us988.
As I understand it, you can go to us988 fine without issues (normally) but to go back to sprint you need to reflash to ls988 and to do that, root is needed, which also requires bl unlock.
I tried a moto g5s plus with an unlocked bl on both sprint and vz, but in both cases I got data to work but no voice at all. After some research and trial and errors, I found out it was because the bl was unlocked, because I was flashed to stock rom. Once I locked the bl, everything worked fine. Some how sprint network detects the bl bring unlocked or the bl being unlocked makes it so the system doesn't work right with the phone, not sure. I also found out you can be root and use an unlocked bl once you are on the network, but not before.
So, that brings me to my question.
In order to use ls988, again you need root and unlocked bl, so that being the case, how would I go about using the ls988 without the bl being unlocked? Because with the bl unlocked, as stated above, calls won't work.
Is it possible to use the us988 abd bl locked, then get registered on the network, then flash the ls988?
Sorry for any confusion, I sometimes have a hard time explaining in words what's in my head.
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Yes, it's best to activate the phone on Sprint FIRST before you temporarily convert to US998, then flash back to Sprint. So that part of your question is valid.
But the rest is a little silly considering we've been rooting this phone for over 2 years now.
Of course calls/data work with a Unlocked Bootloader on all variants.
Everyone who unlocked a boot loader on the LS998 have calls and data working just fine on Sprint. And Verizon and AT&T and T-Mobile and every other carrier and the world.
Lots of Sprint people who have temporarily converted to US998, unlocked bootoader, then flash back to Sprint firmware -- keeping TWRP and root. One of our main DEVs is a Sprint customer. So your worries are totally baseless.
Why do you think we have TWRP flashable zips Sprint firmware to flash back to, if the phone couldn't be used?
By the way this is an LG not a Motorola. It's also not a Sony, which is another common question -- do to boot loader unlock issues with Sonys.
However, if you're thinking about moving to T-Mobile, then stay on US998 and go to T-Mobile. Why mess with Sprint?
Us998 on T-Mobile has VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, etc. Us998 has more compatible T-Mobile bands than LS998 firmware.
I've rooted almost a dozen different phones from back to the s2 days, but the moto phone threw me. I've never once had an issue with bl unlocked and being able to switch to another carrier until the moto phone, so I wasn't sure if that was a network thing or a phone thing.
With the moto it was obviously a phone thing.
Why switch to sprint instead of just staying on tmo? I guess simply put, it gives choices. Like everything in life, it's good to have choices and even if you never choose to use said choice, the fact that it's there is good, because it doesn't limit things to just a small selection. This is why we have multiple phones, and cell services to choose from, it gives a variety of things to choose from, to suit each person's needs.
I've seen people who live in a specific area and can only get one carrier because nothing else works in that area so they have to change carriers.
As for being baseless I am confused how it is baseless from a question. I never said anything about lg not working with our without the bl locked or unlocked, I simply referred to the Motorola phone and was curious if the lg phone would have the same issue I had with the moto phone.
If for some reason there is an implied statement that I am lying about the moto phone not working with the bl unlocked before it was registered on the network and the only thing I did was lock the bl, I am willing to hear why exactly it would not receive or make calls on both vz and sprint, both the exact same issue, until I locked the bl.
Nowhere in my thread did I say the lg would not work with an unlocked bl, twrp or anything else..... I was simply asking a question based on the experience I had with the moto phone (not lg or any other phone) so I am confused how that is baseless, considering I was baseing it off of the phone that did give me issues which was the moto phone, and not the lg phone.
easyrider77 said:
So I've read some on the Frankenstein thread, and I decide to go that route I'll follow that thread.
I have not switched carriers as of yet so I am on sprint still.
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easyrider77 said:
Why switch to sprint instead of just staying on tmo? I guess simply put, it gives choices.
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Can you make up your mind what carrier you're on right now?
easyrider77 said:
I've rooted almost a dozen different phones from back to the s2 days, but the moto phone threw me. I've never once had an issue with bl unlocked and being able to switch to another carrier until the moto phone, so I wasn't sure if that was a network thing or a phone thing.
With the moto it was obviously a phone thing.
As for being baseless I am confused how it is baseless from a question. I never said anything about lg not working with our without the bl locked or unlocked, I simply referred to the Motorola phone and was curious if the lg phone would have the same issue I had with the moto phone.
Nowhere in my thread did I say the lg would not work with an unlocked bl, twrp or anything else..... I was simply asking a question based on the experience I had with the moto phone (not lg or any other phone) so I am confused how that is baseless, considering I was baseing it off of the phone that did give me issues which was the moto phone, and not the lg phone.
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We've been bootloader unlocking and rooting these V30 phones for two years and using across all carriers. That's why I said your assumptions were baseless. This forum would not be as active as it is if we have any of the problems you were asking about. Bootloader Unlock and Root only improves V30 phones. For instance you will never have the LG DTS Surround Sound stereo framework enabled unless you bootloader unlock and root the phone. Yes, in latter Oreo LG gave use DTS libs, but then didn't enable them. But you can root and enable DTS 3D Surround stereo.
Have you even read the WTF Bootloader Unlock instructions yet? ALL the way through? Read in web browser, not an app. App seems to truncate entire sections. Section 9 talks about flashing back to your own carrier firmware -- like Sprint.
Most everybody who buys an LS998 are NOT Sprint customers and convert them to something better -- like US998 V30+ to use on AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, etc. or create a VS996 V30+ to use on Verizon (make sure you have an already activated Verizon SIM card). And most also Bootloader Unlock and Root their LS998 and use on other carriers. I bought a few LS998 I either converted myself or were already converted to US998. Some of these converted LS998-to-US998 I bought are being used on AT&T. My sister and brother-in-law use their converted LS998-to-US998 on Verizon.
I wrote the Frankenstein instructions and the screenshots in those instructions are from my LS998 being converted to US998.
I also wrote the WTF INSTRUCTIONS on bootloader unlock, TWRP Installation and Root. Both threads have current, up to date procedures.
Any North American variant -- EXCEPT for T-mobile H932 -- has to be on US998 firmware (at least TEMPORARILY) to bootloader unlock and root, because of the North American variants only US998 has the requisite fastboot flash commands. After bootloader unlock, TWRP installation and root, users can choose to stay on US998 firmware or use DEV-created TWRP flashable zips to flash back to their carrier firmware. Sprint users choose to flash back Sprint firmware because there are 3 LTE bands Sprint uses (for now) which US998 modems do not have. I use AT&T, but I choose to remain on Open Market US998 firmware instead of flashing back to AT&T firmware.
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Please don't bother mentioning other brands of phones in this forum. They have nothing to do with LG phones. Now, if you said you had a certain problem with Bootloader Unlock of a previous LG phone, then that would be valid concern.
You're acting like this is something people haven't done a thousand times already with V30. Even people in other countries are buying North American V30 variants and using them on their own carriers -- AFTER Bootloader Unlock and Root.
Even your thread title is somewhat confusing. Says going from US998 to LS998, don't you mean the reverse? You have LS998. You would be going from LS998 to US998 (at least temporarily).
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But to reiterate -- for Sprint customers only -- yes you should activate the native LS998 on Sprint first BEFORE doing anything else to the phone. AFTER activation on Sprint, then TEMPORARILY convert to US998 for Bootloader Unlock, TWRP and root. Follow the Frankenstein and WTF Instructions.
Then flash back Sprint firmware via TWRP flashable zip to get back Sprint LTE bands.
JohnFawkes is one of our main DEVs. He created the Sprint TWRP flashable zip. He's a Sprint customer himself.
If you fail to follow that simple guideline, yes there is also a full firmware Sprint stock zip -- which wipes out TWRP custom recovery, replacing with stock recovery. You can flash that to go back to "original" Sprint firmware. It's use for warranty exchanges, but can also be use to your phone activated on Sprint if you failed to do it prior to unlocking bootloader. After flashing this special zip, your bootloader is STILL unlocked but the phone can be activated on Sprint. THEN even though your Bootloader is unlocked, after Sprint activation you have to TEMPORARILY CONVERT back to US998 yet again (for fastboot flash commands) to reinstall TWRP... So you're wasting a lot of time and effort doing all that, when you can just activate the LS998 FIRST on Sprint before bootloader unlock and root.
HOWEVER if you are on Sprint already with your LS998 -- as your OTHER thread seems to indicate -- then your LS998 phone is already activated on Sprint. So, I'm not sure why you're asking about all that.