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I have an AT&T V30 (H931, I believe is the model number). I'm wondering if it is compatible with Sprint's network. If I get it unlocked by AT&T, can I activate it on Sprint?
No. Not as the H931.
You can carrier unlock it by converting to US998 (Frankenstein) thread. Bootloader unlocking, installing TWRP and rooting, and then use the posted files to convert to LS998 (to get all the Sprint bands) and possibly activate on Sprint, because then you will have a Sprint LS998. But that's going to an awful lot of trouble. But you can't activate non-Sprint V30 on Sprint.
Mint Sprint LS998 V30+ are available on eBay for $320. I bought two, not to use on Sprint but to use on AT&T! I converted them to US998 via Frankenstein thread.
If you want Sprint, why didn't you just buy Sprint variant to begin with? The Sprint V30+ are super cheap because no one really wants them. But they can be converted to more useful carrier unlocked model US998 or even Verizon VS996 for example. Even Sprint users who have LS998 (or buy them) convert to US998 to bootloader unlock -- then convert back to Sprint LS998 to get all LTE Sprint bands back. They make sure to activate on Sprint as LS998 first.
ChazzMatt said:
No. Not as the H931.
You can carrier unlock it by converting to US998 (Frankenstein) thread. Bootloader unlocking, installing TWRP and rooting, and then use the posted files to convert to LS998 (to get all the Sprint bands) and possibly activate on Sprint, because then you will have a Sprint LS998. But that's going to an awful lot of trouble. But you can't activate non-Sprint V30 on Sprint.
Mint Sprint LS998 V30+ are available on eBay for $320. I bought two, not to use on Sprint but to use on AT&T! I converted them to US998 via Frankenstein thread.
If you want Sprint, why didn't you just buy Sprint variant to begin with? The Sprint V30+ are super cheap because no one really wants them. But they can be converted to more useful carrier unlocked model US998 or even Verizon VS996 for example. Even Sprint users who have LS998 (or buy them) convert to US998 to bootloader unlock -- then convert back to Sprint LS998 to get all LTE Sprint bands back. They make sure to activate on Sprint as LS998 first.
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Thanks for the great info!
I actually have several V30s on AT&T at the moment, and I'm considering switching to Sprint and am wondering if I can reuse these.
So if I go the Frankenstein route as you described, would I be able to use these on Sprint? Or would it be kind of a toss-up as to whether even then Sprint would allow me to activate them?
Prob been asked a million times h932 tmobile us can have it's bootloader unlocked correct? I ask cause it's time for me too jump from my Nexus 6 too something else. However options are kinda limited in the market.. g7 also caught my eye but I'm not sure it's unlockable either :/
Cobra11Murderer said:
Prob been asked a million times h932 tmobile us can have it's bootloader unlocked correct? I ask cause it's time for me too jump from my Nexus 6 too something else. However options are kinda limited in the market.. g7 also caught my eye but I'm not sure it's unlockable either :/
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Look in the Guides section of this V30 forum for H932 root method. Hint: the thread you are looking for says ROOT H932. Not hard to find.
Every V30/V30+/V30S on the planet can be bootloader unlocked and rooted. However, the T-mobile H932 variant needs a different method from all the other V30 bootloader unlock and root. That's why it has a separate thread.
Are you a T-mobile U.S. customer? The other method for all the other "V30" phones -- called WTF -- is easier. That's the only reason I'm asking. If you don't specifically need H932 you can buy other V30 variants (even carrier locked) and even convert them to carrier unlocked firmware. Like buy Sprint LS998 V30+ and convert to carrier unlocked US998 V30+.
EDIT: I see you are a T-mobile customer.
ChazzMatt said:
Look in the Guides section of this V30 forum for H932 root method. Hint: the thread you are looking for says ROOT H932. Not hard to find.
Every V30/V30+/V30S on the planet can be bootloader unlocked and rooted. However, the T-mobile H932 variant needs a different method from all the other V30 bootloader unlock and root. That's why it has a separate thread.
Are you a T-mobile U.S. customer? The other method for all the other "V30" phones -- called WTF -- is easier. That's the only reason I'm asking. If you don't specifically need H932 you can buy other V30 variants (even carrier locked) and even convert them to carrier unlocked firmware. Like buy Sprint LS998 V30+ and convert to carrier unlocked US998 V30+.
EDIT: I see you are a T-mobile customer.
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Sweet I haven't bought the phone yet do the other variants have the same frequency? Just wanna make sure.
Cobra11Murderer said:
Sweet I haven't bought the phone yet do the other variants have the same frequency? Just wanna make sure.
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No, each variant has slightly more or less frequencies. But converting (Frankenstein) gives you those frequencies. T-Mobile H932 can not be converted to or from another variant due to different RSA encryption. Only H932 has the new T-Mobile LTE band 71.
But all other North America variants can be fully converted to another North America variant (LS998, VS996, US998, AS998, H931, H933) and it will have those bands.
Converting to US998 gives you fastboot flash commands.
If you care about custom AOSP ROMs, stay away from H933 and H931. Even though they can converted to US998 and rooted, AOSP/Lineage ROMs are problematic.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
No, each variant has slightly more or less frequencies. But converting (Frankenstein) gives you those frequencies. T-Mobile H932 can not be converted to or from another variant due to different RSA encryption. Only H932 has the new T-Mobile LTE band 71.
But all other North America variants can be fully converted to another North America variant (LS998, VS996, US998, AS996, H931, H933) and it will have those bands.
Converting to US998 gives you fastboot flash commands.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
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Gotcha! I dont mind getting my hands dirty lol, built roms and dealt with other devices before. Glad too see theres at least one phone I can get that can have its bootloader unlocked. Almost went with the g7 glad I didnt lol
I'm planning to buy a V30/V30+ soon and keep noticing that the V30+ with higher storage keeps being listed cheaper than normal US998, so I'm planning to buy a LS998 and convert it to US998. Now, I know there is a method to enable bands on the US998, so I wonder, will the same method work with a LS998 converted to US998? And will roms meant for US998 work? For example my plan is to buy the phone, convert it and then enable all the bands needed for T-Mobile, especially band 71 which has a big impact where I live (Puerto Rico), sometimes being the difference between signal and no signal. My backup plan would be to buy a US998 but lose half the storage. Any feedback is appreciated!
Gorep1xel said:
I'm planning to buy a V30/V30+ soon and keep noticing that the V30+ with higher storage keeps being listed cheaper than normal US998, so I'm planning to buy a LS998 and convert it to US998. Now, I know there is a method to enable bands on the US998, so I wonder, will the same method work with a LS998 converted to US998? And will roms meant for US998 work? For example my plan is to buy the phone, convert it and then enable all the bands needed for T-Mobile, especially band 71 which has a big impact where I live (Puerto Rico), sometimes being the difference between signal and no signal. My backup plan would be to buy a US998 but lose half the storage. Any feedback is appreciated!
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I don't know of a way to enable Band 71 on a non-H932.
BUT converting LS998 to US998 gives it all US998 bands and all ROMs work with former LS998 convince to US998.
ChazzMatt said:
I don't know of a way to enable Band 71 on a non-H932.
BUT converting LS998 to US998 gives it all US998 bands and all ROMs work with former LS998 convince to US998.
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Excellent, so that means the LS998 is a better deal since I would get the same bands/roms regardless, unless I get an H932, but I dunno about the rom situation with the H932. What would you recommend, my main network is T-Mobile if that helps.
My Note 4s died so I'm finally moving on to a new device, was going to buy a Pixel XL until someone suggested a V30 instead, so going with that instead. Been on Sprint CDMA forever so finally trying to switch to GSM international.
However I'm not sure which model to get. I use Ting as my carrier, an MVNO of Sprint and Tmo, but I don't think you HAVE to use a Sprint or Tmo phone (currently using a Verizon loaner, works fine).
I read on a rooting thread that the H932 (Tmo) is more difficult to root because the encryption is different. The only other model I'm seeing is the H931 (AT&T), however it says Unlocked instead of AT&T in the listing.
I'd like the phone to be able to work in the US as well as internationally. Does the H931 work internationally or only in the US? Is the H931 fine to get or is one of the others a better choice?
For US customers the best LG V30 is arguably the US998 - it was and might still be sold by US Cellular, not sure on that - because it covers all 4 major carriers in terms of the radios and LTE bands and it's factory unlocked from the gitgo. The only band that's not covered is LTE Band 71 which is T-Mobile and only available in the H932 model specifically.
You can get other models, like the H931 (AT&T), the LS998 (the Sprint model), etc, and convert them to function as the US998 but why bother doing a conversion when you can just buy the damned US998 directly and not have to bother with such things.
There's the US998 V30 (64GB internal storage) and the V30+ (128GB storage), if you can find a V30+ for a decent price I'd highly recommend that model over the traditional V30 because of the increased storage.
Now, as for using the US998 outside the US, I can't speak for that kind of usage directly, but you can look at the radio band support and figure it out yourself based on the hardware specs (select Specs, scroll down to the Connectivity section):
https://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US998-Silver-lg-v30
br0adband said:
For US customers the best LG V30 is arguably the US998 - it was and might still be sold by US Cellular, not sure on that - because it covers all 4 major carriers in terms of the radios and LTE bands and it's factory unlocked from the gitgo. The only band that's not covered is LTE Band 71 which is T-Mobile and only available in the H932 model specifically.
You can get other models, like the H931 (AT&T), the LS998 (the Sprint model), etc, and convert them to function as the US998 but why bother doing a conversion when you can just buy the damned US998 directly and not have to bother with such things.
There's the US998 V30 (64GB internal storage) and the V30+ (128GB storage), if you can find a V30+ for a decent price I'd highly recommend that model over the traditional V30 because of the increased storage.
Now, as for using the US998 outside the US, I can't speak for that kind of usage directly, but you can look at the radio band support and figure it out yourself based on the hardware specs (select Specs, scroll down to the Connectivity section):
https://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US998-Silver-lg-v30
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Awesome thanks for the insight. What all is involved in the conversion process? Just curious
mon0theist said:
Awesome thanks for the insight. What all is involved in the conversion process? Just curious
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Using Dev Patched LGUP to flash USS98 Nougat, doing a Master Reset, then flashing US998 Oreo (or Pie when it comes for US998).
There's a Frankenstein thread with more complete Instructions, like how to install LGUP -- but that's the gist.
---------- Post added at 04:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:43 PM ----------
br0adband said:
For US customers the best LG V30 is arguably the US998 - it was and might still be sold by US Cellular, not sure on that - because it covers all 4 major carriers in terms of the radios and LTE bands and it's factory unlocked from the gitgo. The only band that's not covered is LTE Band 71 which is T-Mobile and only available in the H932 model specifically.
You can get other models, like the H931 (AT&T), the LS998 (the Sprint model), etc, and convert them to function as the US998 but why bother doing a conversion when you can just buy the damned US998 directly and not have to bother with such things.
There's the US998 V30 (64GB internal storage) and the V30+ (128GB storage), if you can find a V30+ for a decent price I'd highly recommend that model over the traditional V30 because of the increased storage.
Now, as for using the US998 outside the US, I can't speak for that kind of usage directly, but you can look at the radio band support and figure it out yourself based on the hardware specs (select Specs, scroll down to the Connectivity section):
https://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US998-Silver-lg-v30
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Your email is very good except for one thing...
While USS98 was sold by U.S. Cellular, the US998 is also the official Open Market (carrier unlocked) North America V30 sold by B&H Photo, Amazon, Best Buy.
The only reason U.S. Cellular sold it is because LG wouldn't make them a separate variant. They are too small a carrier.
So, please stop mentioning U.S. Cellular. It confuses people, as dedicated U.S. Cellular phones are normally LOCKED to U.S. Cellular.
U.S. Cellular coincidentally sold the US998. How's that? Much better. But better yet, just leave them out of the discussion, since it then requires explaining all the above.
ChazzMatt said:
Using Dev Patched LGUP to flash USS98 Nougat, doing a Master Reset, then flashing US998 Oreo (or Pie when it comes for US998).
There's a Frankenstein thread with more complete Instructions, like how to install LGUP -- but that's the gist.
---------- Post added at 04:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:43 PM ----------
Your email is very good except for one thing...
While USS98 was sold by U.S. Cellular, the US998 is also the official Open Market (carrier unlocked) North America V30 sold by B&H Photo, Amazon, Best Buy.
The only reason U.S. Cellular sold it is because LG wouldn't make them a separate variant. They are too small a carrier.
So, please stop mentioning U.S. Cellular. It confuses people, as dedicated U.S. Cellular phones are normally LOCKED to U.S. Cellular.
U.S. Cellular coincidentally sold the US998. How's that? Much better. But better yet, just leave them out of the discussion, since it then requires explaining all the above.
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Good to know, thanks! Which variant would you recommend? I'd like the phone to work both in the US and internationally, let's say India for example. My carrier in the US is Ting, which uses Sprint's and Tmo's network, which might possibly require me to buy the Tmo variant according to this reddit thread, but I'd rather take my chances with the US998 variant if it means more likelihood for international compatibility.
EDIT: Also there's no Android P stock ROM for the US998? Could I still flash LineageOS 16 on Oreo firmware?
mon0theist said:
Good to know, thanks! Which variant would you recommend? I'd like the phone to work both in the US and internationally, let's say India for example. My carrier in the US is Ting, which uses Sprint's and Tmo's network, which might possibly require me to buy the Tmo variant according to this reddit thread, but I'd rather take my chances with the US998 variant if it means more likelihood for international compatibility.
EDIT: Also there's no Android P stock ROM for the US998? Could I still flash LineageOS 16 on Oreo firmware?
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There will be Pie for all variants. Last week EU H930 Pie was officially released. The rest are coming.
Here's the bands you'll get with carrier unlocked US998.
ChazzMatt said:
There will be Pie for all variants. Last week EU H930 Pie was officially released. The rest are coming.
Here's the bands you'll get with carrier unlocked US998.
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Awesome thanks
I found this thread for rooting the H932, but it requires the bootloader having already been unlocked. Is there a method to unlock the bootloader that is specific to the H932, or is it the same as all the other variants?
mon0theist said:
Awesome thanks
I found this thread for rooting the H932, but it requires the bootloader having already been unlocked. Is there a method to unlock the bootloader that is specific to the H932, or is it the same as all the other variants?
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Umm, I wouldn't get the T-Mobile H932 unless you're a T-Mobile customer. It's much harder to root than the other variants.
Yes, you have to follow the instructions in that thread to install TWRP and root the T-Mobile H932.
WTF INSTRUCTIONS are for all the other variants.
See this Root Sticky thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/root-v30-t3927154
Read post #1.
ChazzMatt said:
Umm, I wouldn't get the T-Mobile H932 unless you're a T-Mobile customer. It's much harder to root than the other variants.
Yes, you have to follow the instructions in that thread to install TWRP and root the T-Mobile H932.
WTF INSTRUCTIONS are for all the other variants.
See this Root Sticky thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/root-v30-t3927154
Read post #1.
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Ting is an MVNO of Tmobile and they advised me that getting something without the Band 12 VoLTE support could result in issues with calls/texts not going through. Other than that I would probably go for the US998 version. Or maybe I should just get the US998 and hope for the best idk.
mon0theist said:
Ting is an MVNO of Tmobile and they advised me that getting something without the Band 12 VoLTE support could result in issues with calls/texts not going through. Other than that I would probably go for the US998 version. Or maybe I should just get the US998 and hope for the best idk.
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US998 has T-Mobile Band 12 VoLTE support and has T-Mobile WiFi calling.
It's just LTE Band 71 you won't have.
ChazzMatt said:
US998 has T-Mobile Band 12 VoLTE support and has T-Mobile WiFi calling.
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Oh really? Well in that case US998 it is
I'm reading the various threads from 2018 and 2019. They mention that the H932 is more difficult to root. Is that still true? They also mention that the US998 is missing the LTE600 (B71) band, but it will still work with T-Mobile USA on the other bands.
I also learned that many US998 models are actually LS998 that have been converted. Is that a problem in my cases, now that Sprint and T-Mobile merged?
After a couple years has passed, which LG V30 is the best one to buy for T-Mobile USA? I want to run LineageOS 18 (and hopefully future versions) along with TWRP and Magisk.
I'm hoping to buy one with 128GB storage.
With LG exiting the phone business, will I experience any problems unlocking the bootloader now?
MtnX2 said:
I'm reading the various threads from 2018 and 2019. They mention that the H932 is more difficult to root. Is that still true? They also mention that the US998 is missing the LTE600 (B71) band, but it will still work with T-Mobile USA on the other bands.
I also learned that many US998 models are actually LS998 that have been converted. Is that a problem in my cases, now that Sprint and T-Mobile merged?
After a couple years has passed, which LG V30 is the best one to buy for T-Mobile USA? I want to run LineageOS 18 (and hopefully future versions) along with TWRP and Magisk.
I'm hoping to buy one with 128GB storage.
With LG exiting the phone business, will I experience any problems unlocking the bootloader now?
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Click to collapse
V30/V30+ T-Mobile H932 is still the hardest to root, yes. Not to be confused with the V30 H932PR which was sold in Puerto Rico and is different. The T-Mobile V30 (64GB) and V30+ (128GB) has different encryption system and no native fastboot commands. (Well, almost none. None that are helpful.) For the other North American variants (AT&T H931, Canada H933, Verizon VS996), without fastboot commands, you can easily convert them (Frankenstein) to US998 to get that. With the T-Mobile H932 you cannot cross flash other firmware to get that ability without bricking the phone.
There's an alternate method for rooting the T-Mobile H932. See here.
Also, the 128GB V30+ variant of the T-Mobile H932 was a limited offering, sold for a short amount of time during holidays in late 2017. Most of the T-Mobile H932 are the 64GB V30.
Since T-Mobile has merged with Sprint, the new T-Mobile SIM cards seem to not allow US998 firmware to have T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling anymore. If you can find an older SIM card, that will still work, to my knowledge.
ChazzMatt said:
V30/V30+ T-Mobile H932 is still the hardest to root, yes.
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Thanks for the update. It sounds like the US998 is the best version to purchase. I guess I should try to get an original US998 (not a converted LS998). Am I right?
I might try to buy two of these because none of the current phones being made today top the LG V30 for me. (Like somebody said on Reddit recently, smartphone technology seems to be going backwards in some ways.)
Is anyone using LineageOS 18 as the daily driver on the LG V30?
ChazzMatt said:
Since T-Mobile has merged with Sprint, the new SIM cards seem to not allow US998 firmware to have T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling anymore. If you can find an older SIM card, that will still work, to my knowledge.
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Oh, that sounds like bad news for me... Maybe I need to go with the T-Mobile H932 version.