Stock VS996 better than Frankenstein'd US998 for Verizon users? - LG V30 Questions & Answers

I recently bought a US998 off eBay only to learn that it was a Frankenstein'd LS998; this wouldn't have bothered me except it can no longer receive updates from LG. That coupled with the fact that voLTE probably won't be coming to custom ROMs (I'm using Verizon so I cannot avoid that), I'd much rather have a vanilla OEM phone that gets OTA updates rather than hack my way into an already stock ROM. I figure if I get a VS996 with the Verizon logo on the back everything should go smoothly? If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it, the specs on this phone are perfect for the price.
Also I should ask, does anyone know how much longer security updates will be pushed to the v30? If the phones gonna become insecure soon anyway, and custom ROMs are a no-go with Verizon, might just have to look at other phones. Thanks for reading.

Nooljaw said:
I recently bought a US998 off eBay only to learn that it was a Frankenstein'd LS998; this wouldn't have bothered me except it can no longer receive updates from LG. That coupled with the fact that voLTE probably won't be coming to custom ROMs (I'm using Verizon so I cannot avoid that), I'd much rather have a vanilla OEM phone that gets OTA updates rather than hack my way into an already stock ROM. I figure if I get a VS996 with the Verizon logo on the back everything should go smoothly? If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it, the specs on this phone are perfect for the price.
Also I should ask, does anyone know how much longer security updates will be pushed to the v30? If the phones gonna become insecure soon anyway, and custom ROMs are a no-go with Verizon, might just have to look at other phones. Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Frankenstein to VS996 KDZ. Manually install updates from KDZ. Gives you total control.
I hate OTA updates. I always update from KDZ.
Even many stock LG phones still have to manually update, like my wife's native B&H Photo US998.
LG promised at least 2 years of updates once on Oreo. So about another year. Nothing prevents them from going longer, the two years was part of Google Enterprise Endorsed agreement.

I understand flashing the kdz myself is more expedient, but if the end result is stock anyway I'd rather get it pushed directly from LG/Verizon, rather than download the firmware from a third party. I don't always have access to a laptop and rely on my phone too much to want to hack it.. usually only bother with custom ROMs when manufacturer support dies out.
Also, if support for volte goes with LG, and there's only a year left, then I'll probably just stick with the Moto g6 I'm using now. Was gonna give it to my mom when her non-volte device stops working but given how convoluted LG wants to make volte support I'd rather stick to something that has more assured longevity.
For now I'm probably gonna return this phone and wait and see where things go.. can always upgrade later.

Nooljaw said:
Also, if support for volte goes with LG, and there's only a year left, then I'll probably just stick with the Moto g6 I'm using now. Was gonna give it to my mom when her non-volte device stops working but given how convoluted LG wants to make volte support I'd rather stick to something that has more assured longevity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon VoLTE has nothing to do with LG security updates. People have Verizon VoLTE since launch in 2017.
But you can always buy native VS996 if you wish.

Nooljaw said:
I don't always have access to a laptop and rely on my phone too much to want to hack it.
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Click to collapse
There's nothing unstable about unlocking the BL, installing TWRP, and then being ready for updates that way. With that setup, you can download the TWRP version of the ROM and install that, all without a computer.
As long as the ROM is stock, it won't matter one bit if you have an unlocked BL and TWRP installed. That's how my phone is, as well as my wifes... no issues whatsoever (both VS996 on TotalWireless).
You can do as you wish, of course, but what you're implying (that BL unlock and TWRP somehow make the phone less reliable) is not true.

Bump!!

I originally bought a VS996 for use on Total Wireless. and wanted to run it stock but the stock ROM would not allow Wireless Tethering which I wanted for my car. So I converted it to US998 rooted it and all is fine.
Can't wait for a Flashable version of PIE. One that works of course.

Nooljaw said:
I understand flashing the kdz myself is more expedient, but if the end result is stock anyway I'd rather get it pushed directly from LG/Verizon, rather than download the firmware from a third party.
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Click to collapse
KDZ updates come from LG/Verizon. Where do you think they come from?
I often provide links straight to LG Bridge servers -- but they are slow... So I also use mirrors, but you can check the md5 signature, if in doubt.
However, for my rooted phone I use the TWRP-flashable zips devs create from the official KDZ.

Lenster45 said:
I originally bought a VS996 for use on Total Wireless. and wanted to run it stock but the stock ROM would not allow Wireless Tethering which I wanted for my car. So I converted it to US998 rooted it and all is fine.
Can't wait for a Flashable version of PIE. One that works of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on Verizon, have a LS998 Frankenstein and WTF to VS996 stock firmware. Everything works like it was a OEM Verizon VS996 V30. All the tethering is working and functional on my device. I wonder why you had problems?

ChazzMatt said:
Verizon VoLTE has nothing to do with LG security updates. People have Verizon VoLTE since launch in 2017.
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Click to collapse
Right, what I meant was that since stock is the only volte compatible ROM for this device, once they stop providing them there'd be no more security updates as well. Unless someone's able to patch the stock ROM with new updates from Google? I'm not a developer so I dunno how much work that is, or if it's even possible in this case.
@Lenster45 were you getting OTA updates with the original Verizon branded v30?

4stringenator said:
I'm on Verizon, have a LS998 Frankenstein and WTF to VS996 stock firmware. Everything works like it was a OEM Verizon VS996 V30. All the tethering is working and functional on my device. I wonder why you had problems?
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Click to collapse
Exactly. All he needs to do is Frankenstein to VS996 firmware. Doesn't even need bootloader unlock or root, if he doesn't want to mess with that for his mom.
Lots of Verizon users on this forum have bought LS998 V30+ or former LS998 V30+ already converted, and used them on Verizon. It's BETTER because Verizon never sold the V30+ (128GB) only the V30. By converting to VS996, you are making your own VS996 V30+.
If you do that, you do NEED an already-activated Verizon SIM card -- which you can use from whatever phone you are using right now on Verizon. Some people have even bought broken glass display Verizon phone cheap on eBay, just to activate a new Verizon SIM card -- then put that into V30, if they don't already have activated SIM card.
Nooljaw said:
Right, what I meant was that since stock is the only volte compatible ROM for this device, once they stop providing them there'd be no more security updates as well.
@Lenster45 were you getting OTA updates with the original Verizon branded v30?
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Click to collapse
If you absolutely need OTA updates, then yeah buy native VS996. If you use converted LS998 you will have to manually install updates -- which I prefer, so I have total control. Even on my wife's phone which is native US998, and was never bootloader unlocked.
But for some reason, you don't want to do that and want OTA, then native Verizon VS996.
LG should provide updates for all V30 for about another year, for their 2-years once on Oreo guaranteed updates. Phone launched on Nougat, but got on the Google's Enterprise Endorsed list contingent on "imminent" Oreo upgrade, which wasn't so imminent. But the security updates clock started on Oreo.
We got Oreo in Q2 2018. That doesn't mean LG has to stop updates after that, but that was the time period they had to guarantee to Google once Oreo rolled out. They also had to agree to another letter OS upgrade, which will be Pie.
My mother has my old US998 V30. She's on pure stock firmware. But I have no concerns whatsoever about security updates running out in another year.

Related

Bought a used H931, flashed to US998, and want to activate on Sprint

I just got a brand spankin' new ("fair" condition scratch & dent, from ebay for dirt cheap) AT&T version, H931. Used the 15% off ebay coupon and got it for so cheap that it's not even fair. Along with that, I snagged the Sprint BYOD free 1-year service deal, so I'm living large obviously. I activated the plan initially on my now-dormant Essential phone, and as soon as I can go to the store and get the correct SIM for this V30, I'll be swapping them out on my line.
But here's what I'm confused on, both as a new Sprint customer and V30 owner. First of all, I'm amazed at how unreasonably uptight Sprint is with what phones they let on their network. Aside from that, I'm also really impressed with the V30's chameleon-like ability to be flashed to another carrier's firmware, and be completely functionally identical. Never seen another android phone do that... which is why I'm a little out of my element here, because I'm sure Sprint will be the ones to ruin the fun somehow.
Has anyone had experience using their V30 on Sprint and can tell me the following:
1. How are the Sprint bands on the US998 firmware - aren't there some missing?
If so, is it considered a good idea and just better overall to flash specifically to the sprint LS998 firmware?
Are there any risks with that, like potentially giving Sprint more power over your device (i.e. SIM-locking it or blacklisting the device's IMEI or something globally, regardless of whether you flash it back to US998 or one of the other carriers' firmware)
2. If you were to activate your V30 on Sprint, and then later on flashed a different firmware, would they see it as a different device altogether, and force you to pay the activation fee in order to get it back on again? Or is it just tied to the IMEI, no matter what firmware you're on (say you flashed a stock LS998 to the unlocked US998 using the Frankenstein method)
3. Also, I didn't back up my modemst1/modemst2 files before I flashed over from H931. Didn't think it mattered since I could just flash back to the H931 someday, but are those files unique to my particular device/IMEI?
if so, should I stop what I'm doing and fix it before I go any further with flashing LS998 or activating it on Sprint or any of that? How bad is it that I didn't make a backup, and is there anything that can be done now?
I just want to make sure I've got everything right before I go in tomorrow and sacrifice my new phone to the angry Sprint gods. Especially since eventually, when I go to sell it when I upgrade again, I'll probably want to flash it back to the H931 firmware with no problems from Sprint claiming lordship over it. I'm already astonished enough that I'm going to have to shell out $30 just to switch the device on my line.
jDally987 said:
AT&T version, H931. Used the 15% off ebay coupon and got it for so cheap that it's not even fair. Along with that, I snagged the Sprint BYOD free 1-year service deal, so I'm living large obviously. I activated the plan initially on my now-dormant Essential phone, and as soon as I can go to the store and get the correct SIM for this V30, I'll be swapping them out on my line.
But here's what I'm confused on, both as a new Sprint customer and V30 owner. First of all, I'm amazed at how unreasonably uptight Sprint is with what phones they let on their network. Aside from that, I'm also really impressed with the V30's chameleon-like ability to be flashed to another carrier's firmware, and be completely functionally identical. Never seen another android phone do that... which is why I'm a little out of my element here, because I'm sure Sprint will be the ones to ruin the fun somehow.
Has anyone had experience using their V30 on Sprint and can tell me the following:
1. How are the Sprint bands on the US998 firmware - aren't there some missing?
If so, is it considered a good idea and just better overall to flash specifically to the sprint LS998 firmware?
Are there any risks with that, like potentially giving Sprint more power over your device (i.e. SIM-locking it or blacklisting the device's IMEI or something globally, regardless of whether you flash it back to US998 or one of the other carriers' firmware)
2. If you were to activate your V30 on Sprint, and then later on flashed a different firmware, would they see it as a different device altogether, and force you to pay the activation fee in order to get it back on again? Or is it just tied to the IMEI, no matter what firmware you're on (say you flashed a stock LS998 to the unlocked US998 using the Frankenstein method)
3. Also, I didn't back up my modemst1/modemst2 files before I flashed over from H931. Didn't think it mattered since I could just flash back to the H931 someday, but are those files unique to my particular device/IMEI?
if so, should I stop what I'm doing and fix it before I go any further with flashing LS998 or activating it on Sprint or any of that? How bad is it that I didn't make a backup, and is there anything that can be done now?
I just want to make sure I've got everything right before I go in tomorrow and sacrifice my new phone to the angry Sprint gods. Especially since eventually, when I go to sell it when I upgrade again, I'll probably want to flash it back to the H931 firmware with no problems from Sprint claiming lordship over it. I'm already astonished enough that I'm going to have to shell out $30 just to switch the device on my line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow you are asking a lot of questions, and that's a lot of typing to answer.
I'm not a big fan of Sprint. Most people try to get away from them, not run towards them. That's how Frankenstein method was perfected, everyone with "cheap" locked-down LS998 trying carrier unlock their phones. Or people with AT&T H931 who didn't have AT&T and wanted updates. Figured out how to flash them with carrier unlocked firmware like US998, AS998, H933 -- or even flash to Verizon VS996 (which is not carrier locked to Verizon). However, then with WTF bootloader unlock method, you needed fastboot flash commands -- and of ALL the North American variants, only US998 has that. But originally Frankenstein was basically just to carrier unlock AT&T H931 and Sprint US998 phones...
You may be a world of trouble with Sprint. Your saving grace may be you can activate on Essential, then swap the SIM card to your H931/US998/LS998 phone once you have bootloader unlocked, rooted and flashed the LS998 zip file to "convert" it to LS998.
There are others who do use US998 firmware, but have merely flashed the Sprint modems to get all the Sprint bands. And they populate the Sprint APN. There's a big Sprint thread that details all that. But ALL of them had to first activate their LS998 prior to doing anything with bootloader unlock, TWRP, etc. One guy managed to do it after the fact but it took three pages of help. These are people with original LS998. No one that I am aware of has done it with a model that was not originally LS998.
But I'll repeat -- Your saving grace may be you can activate on Essential, then swap the SIM card to your H931/US998/LS998 phone once you have bootloader unlocked, rooted and flashed the LS998 zip file to "convert" it to LS998. Those other people didn't have another phone to activate (if I understand Sprint thinking, which I may not).
1. How are the Sprint bands on the US998 firmware - aren't there some missing?
Yes, there are two bands missing. Depending on where you live that may not be important. But you can flash Sprint modem, while keeping US998 firmware. Or you can fully flash to LS998 zip file to convert to LS998 while keeping TWRP and root.
4. Especially since eventually, when I go to sell it when I upgrade again, I'll probably want to flash it back to the H931 firmware with no problems from Sprint claiming lordship over it.
AT&T, like Sprint, does not publicly release their KDZ firmware. While you can flash back to H931 stock "ROM" via TWRP, then you lose fastboot flash commands -- so you cannot lock back bootloader and how do you get rid of TWRP? When you even go to sell it, best to sell it as US998. You can relock bootloader and flash full stock KDZ. There's TONS of former LS998 V30+ being sold on eBay as US998. Already Frankensteined by the sellers, and they are carrier unlocked.
3. Also, I didn't back up my modemst1/modemst2 files before I flashed over from H931. Didn't think it mattered since I could just flash back to the H931 someday, but are those files unique to my particular device/IMEI?
Doesn't matter. You can always flash to US998 to get those US998 bands, you can flash back to H931 via TWRP with stock ROM if you want those bands back. Flashing to LS998 ZIP file will give you those bands. The one thing you probably can't do after you start is completely restore the H931 to full stock with bootloader locked back. But that's no big deal, for selling on eBay. Just sell as US998. It's more versatile anyway and has fastboot flash commands. I'm an AT&T customer for 7 years and I've NEVER owned an AT&T branded phone.
2. If you were to activate your V30 on Sprint, and then later on flashed a different firmware, would they see it as a different device altogether, and force you to pay the activation fee in order to get it back on again? Or is it just tied to the IMEI, no matter what firmware you're on (say you flashed a stock LS998 to the unlocked US998 using the Frankenstein method)
The only people I can answer for is Sprint customers who had original LS998, activated them -- converted to US998, unlocked bootloader, installed TWRP and rooted, and then still continued to use their devices on Sprint. To still use devices on Sprint, some used TWRP-flashable zip file to convert back to LS998 while still keeping TWRP and root. Others just kept US998 firmware but flashed Sprint modems. Others have flashed AOSP custom ROMs, but had to use Sprint APN and maybe Sprint modem.
I don't want to discourage you. You may be able to get away with this, but only because your ace is the Essential phone. Activate that first. Then, do all the stuff for the H931/US998/LS998 conversion (including bootloader unlock, root). Put the SIM card in, then see if it works. If it doesn't, then what people have found is TELEPHONE help is the best. If you go to a store, they will immediately see you do not have a Sprint LS998. Whereas over the telephone, you can tell them you have LS998, the firmware version, etc, and it's often off-shore service who may not care it's not really Sprint hardware, if the firmware matches....
Good luck!
ChazzMatt said:
I don't want to discourage you. You may be able to get away with this, but only because your ace is the Essential phone. Activate that first. Then, do all the stuff for the H931/US998/LS998 conversion (including bootloader unlock, root). Put the SIM card in, then see if it works. If it doesn't, then what people have found is TELEPHONE help is the best. If you go to a store, they will immediately see you do not have a Sprint LS998. Whereas over the telephone, you can tell them you have LS998, the firmware version, etc, and it's often off-shore service who may not care it's not really Sprint hardware, if the firmware matches....
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, amazing. Wish I could hit the thanks button 10 times.
So it looks like my best bet is to just flash the LS998 KDZ and then body slam my SIM into it (I’m already activated on the Essential and it does look like they take the same specific SIM model, hallelujah)
I knew I was making a deal with the devil from the start when I took Sprint. Just that I’m pretty low on money right now, and a year of unlimited data service for free was just too good to pass up. I’m planning on moving state before too long, so when I have more income I might just drop sprint like a hot potato long before they cut me off (which is January 2020)
jDally987 said:
Wow, amazing. Wish I could hit the thanks button 10 times.
So it looks like my best bet is to just flash the LS998 KDZ and then body slam my SIM into it (I’m already activated on the Essential and it does look like they take the same specific SIM model, hallelujah)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
And I have tons of other posts you can thank. You can find posts via my profile link. Regrettably, you're limited to 15 thanks per day...
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
Update for anyone interested; it did not work. I flashed the Sprint 21a update .zip in TWRP, stuck my pre-activated SIM in, and it failed to register on the network. Tried updating PRL/Profile and everything, nothing worked (I'm not too surprised). Just to make sure, I got on the chat with a Sprint rep and as soon as I gave them my IMEI, they said it couldn't be activated on Sprint for BYOD.
Funnily enough, after a while of the phone trying to get the SIM to connect, it suddenly locked it and told me to restart and basically good luck, chump. So when I stuck it back in my Essential, already defeated enough, it suddenly borked my phone number and I couldn't get service again till I reset the PRL/Profile on that, and turned the phone off for 2 minutes.
Yeah, sprint is a huge hassle. Good lord
jDally987 said:
nothing worked (I'm not too surprised). Just to make sure, I got on the chat with a Sprint rep and as soon as I gave them my IMEI, they said it couldn't be activated on Sprint for BYOD.
Yeah, sprint is a huge hassle. Good lord
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry it didn't work. Gave you all the ideas I could, but just blame Sprint.
jDally987 said:
Just to make sure, I got on the chat with a Sprint rep and as soon as I gave them my IMEI, they said it couldn't be activated on Sprint for BYOD.
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Click to collapse
Just curious, did the rep deny activation because it's not an original LS998 or is it possible that the IMEI has been blacklisted?
grob971 said:
Just curious, did the rep deny activation because it's not an original LS998 or is it possible that the IMEI has been blacklisted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you mean blacklisted by Sprint only, or in general for all carriers (like you'd see on the Swappa ESN check or something). If the latter, then no, I checked it on multiple sites and they all said clear for activation. The AT&T model is GSM unlocked by default, so that makes sense.
All the guy said at Sprint was that my phone wasn't BYOD-compatible. I'm pretty sure they have a whitelist instead, and only put phones that are sprint-branded on it. Then if you call them up they'll activate unlocked devices for you, but my particular H931 probably shows up as GSM-unlocked (originally from AT&T) and thus not compatible. (even though technically, software-wise, it would be since I flashed the right bands on it)
jDally987 said:
Not sure if you mean blacklisted by Sprint only, or in general for all carriers (like you'd see on the Swappa ESN check or something). If the latter, then no, I checked it on multiple sites and they all said clear for activation. The AT&T model is GSM unlocked by default, so that makes sense.
All the guy said at Sprint was that my phone wasn't BYOD-compatible. I'm pretty sure they have a whitelist instead, and only put phones that are sprint-branded on it. Then if you call them up they'll activate unlocked devices for you, but my particular H931 probably shows up as GSM-unlocked (originally from AT&T) and thus not compatible. (even though technically, software-wise, it would be since I flashed the right bands on it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing is, Sprint won't even take "original" (no Frankenstein) open market (B&H Photo) US998, even though it's the official carrier unlocked LG V30.

Is there soemthing wrong with my phone?

I have a V30S. As of now, I have never received an update for it. I am running it with stock software version us99820a and security - March 1, 2018.
This seems odd, and every time I check for updates, I get told I am up to date.
Is this right, or is there a problem with my phone not getting updates?
1031982 said:
I have a V30S. As of now, I have never received an update for it. I am running it with stock software version us99820a and security - March 1, 2018.
This seems odd, and every time I check for updates, I get told I am up to date.
Is this right, or is there a problem with my phone not getting updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can manually update. We have all the KDZ posted here. Takes 5 minutes.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/us998-lg-v30-us998-us99820a040330-kdz-t3786337
There are reasons why you may not be receiving OTA, none of which you can fix -- except by manually updating yourself.
I do that with my wife's US998, which is still pure stock.
ChazzMatt said:
You can manually update. We have all the KDZ posted here. Takes 5 minutes.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/us998-lg-v30-us998-us99820a040330-kdz-t3786337
There are reasons why you may not be receiving OTA, none of which you can fix -- except by manually updating yourself.
I do that with my wife's US998, which is still pure stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused as to which file to download. I assume the first file, US99820g_01_0110.kdz?
I am confused as I'm not sure if the letter at the end is something I need to have maintained. I have US99820a.
Will I ever be able to get software updates OTA, or is this just something I have to deal with?
Also, this won't wipe the phone, will it?
1031982 said:
I'm confused as to which file to download. I assume the first file, US99820g_01_0110.kdz?
I am confused as I'm not sure if the letter at the end is something I need to have maintained. I have US99820a.
Will I ever be able to get software updates OTA, or is this just something I have to deal with?
Also, this won't wipe the phone, will it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you make sure you choose "Upgrade", using the LGUP attached to that post, no it won't wipe it.
Yes, US998 20G KDZ is newest. Newest at top down to oldest. If you scroll down that page, it's starts with 20A (earliest US998 Oreo)
Where did you get your phone? If you say used, off eBay or even "new" off eBay, there's nothing "wrong" with your phone except you're not going to get OTA updates.
I can tell you more and give you probable reason -- but it doesn't explain why my wife's phone doesn't receive OTA updates. Doesn't matter, manually updating takes 5 minutes.
Going from 20A to 20G is a big jump. A lot of audio changes in 20F and 20G. Some people have to go to 20E first, then 20F, then 20G.
Remember the "Upgrade" part! In this case, you do NOT want "Refurbish" which is the LGUP default choice. I did that accidentally with my wife's phone one time, trying to multitask and didn't pay attention.
You can try just going straight to 20G, if you feel lucky. If you have no audio, don't panic. Flash back to 20E, then go to 20F, then 20G.
After this, you won't have to worry about that, as you will always just have to flash the next one that comes out. You won't ever be this far behind again.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
Where did you get your phone? If you say used, off eBay or even "new" off eBay, there's nothing "wrong" with your phone except you're not going to get OTA updates.
I can theorize more to you and give you probable reason -- but it doesn't explain why my wife's phone doesn't receive OTA updates. Doesn't matter, manually updating takes 5 minutes.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ordered it from B&H Photo, brand new. That's is why I am confused, (and concerned) as to why I wouldn't get OTA updates. I got off the phone with support about it and they said to use the LG Bridge app. That was useless (as I expected).
Seems like going from A to E, then F, and finally G would be safest.
1031982 said:
I ordered it from B&H Photo, brand new. That's is why I am confused, (and concerned) as to why I wouldn't get OTA updates. I got off the phone with support about it and they said to use the LG Bridge app. That was useless (as I expected).
Seems like going from A to E, then F, and finally G would be safest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Three of my US998 V30/V30+ are also from B&H Photo. While mine is bootloader unlocked and rooted, my wife's daily phone is pure stock. We received one Nougat update January 2018. Ever since then, I've manually updated hers.
I do just what I told you to... install the LGUP, download the KDZ, connect the phone, select the KDZ, choose "Upgrade" and start. Once you hit start, takes about 5 minutes.
After that, check back here every couple of months to do it again.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
Three of mine are also from B&H Photo. While mine is bootloader unlocked and rooted, my wife's daily phone is pure stock. We received one Nougat update January 2018. Ever since then, I've manually updated hers.
I do just what I told you to... install the LGUP, download the KDZ, connect the phone, select the KDZ, choose "Upgrade" and start. Once you hit start, takes about 5 minutes.
After that, check back here every couple of months to do it again.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it would seem that there is some weird glitch with this phone then. Really weird, and annoying. Support said it was the carrier that decides when to update, I know that's not true for unlocked phones.
I guess it's manual updating. Not a good way to start with an unlocked phone.
1031982 said:
So it would seem that there is some weird glitch with this phone then. Really weird, and annoying. Support said it was the carrier that decides when to update, I know that's not true for unlocked phones.
I guess it's manual updating. Not a good way to start with an unlocked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, with carrier unlocked it's the OEM -- in this case, LG. We run ours on AT&T, but AT&T has nothing to do with updating our phones.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
---------- Post added at 01:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:49 AM ----------
1031982 said:
So it would seem that there is some weird glitch with this phone then. Really weird, and annoying. Support said it was the carrier that decides when to update, I know that's not true for unlocked phones.
I guess it's manual updating. Not a good way to start with an unlocked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually don't mind. I believe full image KDZ is better than partial image OTA.
ChazzMatt said:
Right, with carrier unlocked it's the OEM -- in this case, LG. We run ours on AT&T, but AT&T has nothing to do with updating our phones.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, on AT&T.
ChazzMatt said:
I actually don't mind. I believe full image KDZ is better than partial image OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's purely for convince to get OTA, but doing it manually is more secure in that there is less likely going to be an issue.
Thank you very much for the quick response, and linking to the files. Got it updated to E, and now I'm downloading F and G.

How to get back V30S black & white boot screen after frankenstein?

I picked up a V30S and now I have rooted it successfully. However, during the conversion from US998h to VS996k in TWRP, I lost the "S" part in the boot, and now it just says "LG V30 thinq" whereas it used to say "LG V30 thinq", like the attached picture.
I would like to get that back. I liked seeing the "S" part when it boots up, it feels more premium.
The same thing happened with my V30+, it lost the "+" once changing to VS996.
How can I get this original factory boot screen back?
zxzxzxzxzxzxzxzxzx said:
I picked up a V30S and now I have rooted it successfully. However, during the conversion from US998h to VS996k in TWRP, I lost the "S" part in the boot, and now it just says "LG V30 thinq" whereas it used to say "LG V30 thinq", like the attached picture.
I would like to get that back. I liked seeing the "S" part when it boots up, it feels more premium.
The same thing happened with my V30+, it lost the "+" once changing to VS996.
How can I get this original factory boot screen back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't get that back on Verizon firmware. Verizon didn't sell the V30+ nor V30S, only the V30.
You can get original factory boot screen back by flashing back to US998 firmware.
Which is what you'll do when you sell it eventually, but until then it doesn't really matter.
ChazzMatt said:
You can't get that back on Verizon firmware. Verizon didn't sell the V30+ nor V30S, only the V30.
You can get original factory boot screen back by flashing back to US998 firmware.
Which is what you'll do when you sell it eventually, but until then it doesn't really matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking for a way to hack it into the boot. Like replace the image of v30 with the V30S image at boot
zxzxzxzxzxzxzxzxzx said:
I'm looking for a way to hack it into the boot. Like replace the image of v30 with the V30S image at boot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you could do that, people could claim to have V30+ who don't...
Good luck with that. Don't brick your phone.
I already know you can edit the other boot, so by the way I already know it is possible to put a boot screen of anything, after the initial boot screen, so your argument is pointless.
As far as tricking someone, anyone can look up the IMEI to find the true model of the phone. Also, you can look at the storage. If you put a "plus" on a 64gb non-plus that would be STUPID since both phones cost nearly the same.
Looking for someone to actually help. I do have the actual phone and I could show my IMEI to prove it. I bought this second phone for the 6GB of ram (I now have a V30 Plus AND a V30S). I looked for months to find one. Part of why I'd like to see the S in the boot screen since I put a lot of effort into finding this phone. I have no intentions of ever selling it. It's the perfect phone for me and I could see keeping it for many years.
zxzxzxzxzxzxzxzxzx said:
I don't care about naysayers. I already know you can edit the other boot, so by the way I already know it is possible to put a boot screen of anything, after the initial boot screen, so your argument is pointless.
Looking for someone to actually help. I since I put a lot of effort into finding this phone. I have no intentions of ever selling it. It's the perfect phone for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the V30/30+/v30S are fantastic phones. Congratulations on finding a V30S. A year ago when I was looking they were still too expensive and already have several V30/V30+.
I wasn't talking about YOU tricking someone, I was just talking about in general. Someone recently posted they want to do that, so people would think they v30+ when they only had V30. Don't know why, they weren't talking about cheating someone, they were talking about just bragging about it.
Lots of people have asked what you have, nobody's been able to do it.
Same thing with getting rid of the bootloader unlocked warning. The only way you can that is to do is what you did -- flash Verizon firmware. OR flash partial Verizon firmware -- which is dangerous for other variants because every time you update your firmware, if you don't match compatible firmware you brick your phone.
Good luck in your quest.
ChazzMatt said:
Yes, the V30/30+/v30S are fantastic phones. Congratulations on finding a V30S. A year ago when I was looking they were still too expensive and already have several V30/V30+.
I wasn't talking about YOU tricking someone, I was just talking about in general. Someone recently posted they want to do that, so people would think they v30+ when they only had V30. Don't know why, they weren't talking about cheating someone, they were talking about just bragging about it.
Lots of people have asked what you have, nobody's been able to do it.
Same thing with getting rid of the bootloader unlocked warning. The only way you can that is to do is what you did -- flash Verizon firmware. OR flash partial Verizon firmware -- which is dangerous for other variants because every time you update your firmware, if you don't match compatible firmware you brick your phone.
Good luck in your quest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it (V30S) was hard to find. You can buy it from the LG website for a remarkable $900 (!!!) but of course that's not the real price. Heck they are selling a new V30 (regular! 64gb) on the LG website for over $900! LOL! I love my V30S, but it is not a significant improvement. It's nice to have a little more RAM but it's not any different at all besides that. Speed is pretty much the same. Only difference is marginally better multitasking. Worth it for me, but I wish I had 24GB of RAM lol. Heck I want 1 million gb of ram with a trillion petabytes of storage and a 99999 core neural network quantum cpu but hey that's a nice dream.
Actually, I already removed the bootloader unlocked warning. It disappears when you flash the Verizon variant, not sure if that's what you meant, but I have no warning anymore. Also, I had already removed the verizon boot as well, this is easy with ROM Toolbox Lite (choose "hide" not remove).
To clarify for readers, flashing to VS996 (verizon) from an LS998 or a US998 or even US998R (V30S, my current phone), is 100% safe. I've now done it on 3 phones. 2 of them former LS998 converted to US998 through the WTF method and then VS996. And 1 of them my US998R.
(p.s. you may get easily fixable bootloop if converting LS998 on PIE (Android 9) downgrading to US998 Oreo to prepare for bootloader unlock. You can easily get out of bootloop by holding voldown + power for 7 seconds until reboots, then at reboot logo keep holding voldown and then release power for a half a second and hold power again, then do the factory reset and it will get out of bootloop).
zxzxzxzxzxzxzxzxzx said:
Actually, I already removed the bootloader unlocked warning. It disappears when you flash the Verizon variant, not sure if that's what you meant, but I have no warning anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that was what I meant. Verizon firmware doesn't have bootloader unlock warning because Verizon never imagined their phones could be bootloader unlocked. . Of all the 20 variants, only stock VS996 doesn't have bootloader unlock warning (that I know of).
So some people who don't want Verizon firmware but wanted to get rid of bootloader unlock warning started flashing just that specific VS9996partition governing that in Dev Patched LGUP -- and someone bricked their phone.
Because they kept using the same Verizon firmware but didn't realize as their variant is updated they had to also use updated VS996 firmware to replace that partition. (Sort of the same reason you can't be on early Oreo to flash current LOS-16 ROMs.)
Anyway, Devs said to stop doing that, it's not worth the risk.
ChazzMatt said:
Yes, that was what I meant. Verizon firmware doesn't have bootloader unlock warning because Verizon never imagined their phones could be bootloader unlocked. . Of all the 20 variants, only stock VS996 doesn't have bootloader unlock warning (that I know of).
So some people who don't want Verizon firmware but wanted to get rid of bootloader unlock warning started flashing just that specific VS9996partition governing that in Dev Patched LGUP -- and someone bricked their phone.
Because they kept using the same Verizon firmware but didn't realize as their variant is updated they had to also use updated VS996 firmware to replace that partition. (Sort of the same reason you can't be on early Oreo to flash current LOS-16 ROMs.)
Anyway, Devs said to stop doing that, it's not worth the risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree it's not wise to flash only part of a firmware. Better to flash the whole thing. You can get Verizon firmware to work on most other providers anyway as a bring your own device.
Just keep in mind Straight Talk does not like Sprint phones (you can find out your original model number using LG Mobile Support Tool, which, when plugged in, will tell you your ORIGINAL hardware model number, not your software model.) My friend has a V30 and Straight Talk was a disaster. I would say don't bother with straight talk.
Just use prepaid Verizon instead if you're trying to save money. Activate a legit Verizon phone first and then transfer the sim card into your phone. I was able to get both a V30+ and V30S to easily and seamlessly work on Verizon on VS996 firmware on BOTH prepaid and postpaid plans.
But as for flashing the full VS996 firmware, it will be perfectly fine on compatible models (e.g. LS998, US998, US998R, possibly others but I have not tested).
zxzxzxzxzxzxzxzxzx said:
But as for flashing the full VS996 firmware, it will be perfectly fine on compatible models (e.g. LS998, US998, US998R, possibly others but I have not tested).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. I'm the one who wrote the Frankenstein instructions which came BEFORE WTF bootloader unlock exploit.
All the North American variants (EXCEPT for T-Mobile H932) can be completely cross flashed and converted to another: US998, AS998, LS998, VS996, H931, H933, and H932PR (Puerto Rico).
However, of all those, only US998 has fastboot flash commands.
ChazzMatt said:
Sure. I'm the one who wrote the Frankenstein instructions which came BEFORE WTF bootloader unlock exploit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your contributions! You are making the world a better place.
By the way I'll probably keep this phone until a fully rootable phone on verizon 160g or less weight with a better resolution screen 6.4" or bigger yet not any taller, with better cpu more ram and oled with microsd card slot and a few other specs comes out, and WITHOUT a notch or cutout.
So, I expect it will be years before such a phone comes out. Until then, this phone is the perfect phone for me.
zxzxzxzxzxzxzxzxzx said:
more ram .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not a computer. That extra RAM you want, and what OEM's like 1+ are doing, doesn't really do anything for the device other than make it more expensive.
OEM's are only doing it to please the masses.
Sent from my LG-H932 using XDA Labs

UPDATING AT&T H931 to Pie

graywoulf1 said:
I just bought a used V30 H931 AT&T branded but unlocked phone and it is running Oreo. I have tried to make sense of all of the information on installing Pie but there is so much information about versions and such that I am totally lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you an AT&T customer? AT&T only gives updates to AT&T customers. Plus, AT&T firmware has some bloatware you don't need if you are not an AT&T customer.
This is the STICKY GUIDE you should have found:
H931 & LS998 -- How to Update to Latest Android Firmware!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/how-to/ls998-h931-how-to-update-t3927155
Read it. It will answer your questions.
graywoulf1 said:
Is there a big advantage to installing Pie and if so, does this involve rooting or just activating the developer mode? I usually easily understand these things but the guides I have found are confusing to me. Should I just give up and leave well enough alone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there's no advantage right now to running Pie. I am still on rooted Oreo firmware myself. The later Oreo updates (2019) have fixes and more features than Nougat or even early Oreo (2018) updates.
ChazzMatt said:
Are you an AT&T customer? AT&T only gives updates to AT&T customers. Plus, AT&T firmware has some bloatware you don't need if you are not an AT&T customer. There's no advantage right now to running Pie. I am still on rooted Oreo firmware myself. The later Oreo updates (2019) have fixes and more features than Nougat or even early Oreo (2018) updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I am an AT&T customer but through Cricket Wireless. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I just know that Cricket is using or owned by AT&T. Thanks for the updated link. I will take a look at it but if you say that there is no real advantage to the update then I probably will just stick with Oreo.
graywoulf1 said:
Yes, I am an AT&T customer but through Cricket Wireless. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I just know that Cricket is using or owned by AT&T. Thanks for the updated link. I will take a look at it but if you say that there is no real advantage to the update then I probably will just stick with Oreo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need actual AT&T SIM card, not Cricket.
What Oreo firmware version are you on?
ChazzMatt said:
You would need actual AT&T SIM card, not Cricket. What Oreo firmware version are you on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I am looking at the right information, I am on Software Version H93120r.
graywoulf1 said:
If I am looking at the right information, I am on Software Version H93120r.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you're probably on the last Oreo.
The last one posted here for H931 was 20Q. Since AT&T doesn't release KDZ publicly, Dev has to basically cobble it together from OTA Update.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/lg-v30-att-h931-20f-rom-t3872926
ChazzMatt said:
Then you're probably on the last Oreo. The last one posted here for H931 was 20Q. Since AT&T doesn't release KDZ publicly, Dev has to basically cobble it together from OTA Update.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/lg-v30-att-h931-20f-rom-t3872926
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called Cricket Support and asked them about the possibility of an OTA update and they told me that even though the phone could be updated to Pie, that LG did not have a Pie update for the V30. And honestly, even though I am fairly tech savvy, I don't think I want to go through all those steps to do the update. I might change my mind later but not anytime soon. I really appreciate all of your time and information though and have it bookmarked for later use if needed.
graywoulf1 said:
I called Cricket Support and asked them about the possibility of an OTA update and they told me that even though the phone could be updated to Pie, that LG did not have a Pie update for the V30.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
???
They told you wrong. Cricket apparently knows nothing about the AT&T H931. Yes, it has Pie.
The only North American variant which doesn't have Pie yet is Sprint.
But AT&T H931 Pie is not posted here because the dev tools for AT&T Pie don't work. So, last one posted here is Oreo.
But if you had AT&T SIM card, your H931 would receive OTA Pie update.
However, you're not missing anything. I'm still on rooted Oreo firmware (on purpose) on my US998 V30+.
ChazzMatt said:
???
They told you wrong. Cricket apparently knows nothing about the AT&T H931. Yes, it has Pie. The only North American variant which doesn't have Pie yet is Sprint. But AT&T H931 Pie is not posted here because the dev tools for AT&T Pie don't work. So, last one posted here is Oreo. But if you had AT&T SIM card, your H931 would receive OTA Pie update.
However, you're not missing anything. I'm still on rooted Oreo firmware (on purpose) on my US998 V30+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it didn't sound like he knew much about it to me either. I wonder if I could switch over to an AT&T card to get the update. But then I guess that would mean having to switch over completely and paying more for my service. Oh well, it's not something that is going to make having my V30 any less desirable to me. I'm good with Oreo.
graywoulf1 said:
Yeah, it didn't sound like he knew much about it to me either. I wonder if I could switch over to an AT&T card to get the update. But then I guess that would mean having to switch over completely and paying more for my service. Oh well, it's not something that is going to make having my V30 any less desirable to me. I'm good with Oreo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you know someone (relative, friend) who will let you borrow SIM card to activate the OTA update?
On the AT&T V35 (different phone, but same idea), people bought UNactivated AT&T SIM cards off eBay and they worked to download Update.
Then put their regular SIM card back in...
ChazzMatt said:
Unless you know someone (relative, friend) who will let you borrow SIM card to activate the OTA update? On the AT&T V35 (different phone, but same idea), people bought UNactivated AT&T SIM cards off eBay and they worked to download Update. Then put their regular SIM card back in...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so happens... My wife's phone is AT&T. She is on the "Go Phone" monthly plan. Would that make a difference? Or maybe I could switch over to the same plan to get the update.
graywoulf1 said:
Just so happens... My wife's phone is AT&T. She is on the "Go Phone" monthly plan. Would that make a difference? Or maybe I could switch over to the same plan to get the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think just putting her SIM card in will do the trick.
You may need to reboot, etc.
Worth trying.
ChazzMatt said:
I think just putting her SIM card in will do the trick. You may need to reboot, etc.
Worth trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will do that but it will have to be tomorrow. She has gone to bed and she uses her phone for her alarm. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow evening when she gets home from work. Thanks again for your help. Are you sure you don't work for LG?
@ChazzMatt, Well it turned out that my wife's Samsung S5 has a micro SIM and not the nano SIM. I'm going to take my phone to the local AT&T store and see if they will help me out. I may end up switching back to the AT&T Prepaid service though for the extra support and more Gigs per month.
Finally, all is well.
ChazzMatt said:
Unless you know someone (relative, friend) who will let you borrow SIM card to activate the OTA update?On the AT&T V35 (different phone, but same idea), people bought UNactivated AT&T SIM cards off eBay and they worked to download Update.Then put their regular SIM card back in...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well after all of that, I ended up dropping Cricket and going back to AT&T Prepaid. I am on the 8 Gig per month plan. And the best part was that right after I installed the AT&T SIM card, I got the OTA Android update. I'm a happy camper now as far as my phone is concerned. I thank you again for all of your help and tips. :good:
graywoulf1 said:
Well after all of that, I ended up dripping Cricket and going back to AT&T Prepaid. I am on the 8 Gig per month plan. And the best part was that right after I installed the AT&T SIM card, I got the OTA Android update. I'm a happy camper now as far as my phone is concerned. I thank you again for all of your help and tips. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome!
I'm on that plan, too, with AT&T Prepaid. AT&T doesn't throttle that plan, unlike the "unlimited" one.
ChazzMatt said:
You're welcome! I'm on that plan, too, with AT&T Prepaid. AT&T doesn't throttle that plan, unlike the "unlimited" one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That and the "Hotspot" feature that I could use on my tablets as well. I'm still exploring Nova Launcher as well and having a blast with it and I appreciate your help and tips on using it as well.

Is this a genuine LG V30 (H931) AT&T phone?

I bought an LG V30 on Ebay. It is suppose to be from at&t. I put an at&t sim card and received an ota update but it failed to install. I tried several times with the same result. I'm wondering if the phone is a real at&t phone.
arobles said:
I bought an LG V30 on Ebay. It is suppose to be from at&t. I put an at&t sim card and received an ota update but it failed to install. I tried several times with the same result. I'm wondering if the phone is a real at&t phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not.
The B&O logo on the back gives it away. LG is not allowed to distribute B&O branded phones in North America, as another company has those rights.
AT&T H931 V30 is 64GB and has silver back that says 'V30" and "LG".
B&O branded phones were sold in Europe and Asia.
Go to IMEI online database like SWAPPA and check your IMEI, to see where it originated.
ChazzMatt said:
No, it's not.
The B&O logo on the back gives it away. LG is not allowed to distribute B&O branded phones in North America, as another company has those rights.
AT&T H931 V30 is 64GB and has silver back that says 'V30" and "LG".
B&O branded phones were sold in Europe and Asia.
Go to IMEI online database like SWAPPA and check your IMEI, to see where it originated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying. I checked on swappa and it said that is an LG V30 phone. Also in this page https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/31/16232220/lg-v30-launch-ifa-2017-bang-olufsen-logo talks abous the B&O logo.
arobles said:
Thanks for replying. I checked on swappa and it said that is an LG V30 phone. Also in this page https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/31/16232220/lg-v30-launch-ifa-2017-bang-olufsen-logo talks abous the B&O logo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't say or wasn't an LG V30 phone. I said it wasn't an AT&T H931. Nor any V30 sold in North America -- since it has B&O logo. That was your question, "Is this a genuine AT&T H931?"
NO. It is not. Some Octoplus dealer has probably flashed AT&T firmware over it and since it may or may not have have native AT&T IMEI it's not going to successfully update.
What SPECIFIC MODEL VARIANT does the IMEI database say?
* Maybe EU H930?
* Maybe some Korean carrier variant?
If SWAPPA doesn't say, then Google some other IMEI database...
No disrespect, but I'm not even going to look at that link you posted. I already know which regions LG is allowed to use the B&O logo and where they are not, and why. I know more about this phone series than any website writer.
ChazzMatt said:
I didn't say or wasn't an LG V30 phone. I said it wasn't an AT&T H931. Nor any V30 sold in North America -- since it has B&O logo.
What SPECIFIC MODEL VARIANT does the IMEI database say? Maybe EU H930? Maybe some Korean carrier variant? If SWAPPA doesn't say, Google some other IMEI database...
No disrespect, but I'm not even going to look at that link you posted. I already know which regions LG is allowed to use the B&O logo and where they are not, and why. I know more about this phone series than any website writer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swappa only says that it is an LG V30. On another imei database http://www.imeipro.info says that is an V30 H931 from at&t.
arobles said:
Swappa only says that it is an LG V30. On another imei database http://www.imeipro.info says that is an V30 H931 from at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've obviously bought some refurbished phone where they have European or Asia B&O back cover. No LG AT&T phone came with that logo and never will.
Additionally they may have flashed AT&T firmware over it. Maybe they used AT&T IMEI.
I don't know all the extent it's not genuine -- the back cover is enough proof.
Someone else last year bought an "AT&T H931" which would not update from some eBay dealer. When he told the dealer it didn't seem genuine, as it wouldn't update, the dealer didn't even try to argue. They offered full refund.
Here's your choices: you can return the phone or you can flash it to North American LG carrier unlocked firmware and update it yourself. It can run on AT&T but won't have AT&T VoLTE, etc.
If you need/want genuine AT&T H931 with updated firmware, you need to return it and see if they have an actual AT&T H931 they can send you.
ChazzMatt said:
You've obviously bought some refurbished phone where they have European or Asia B&O back cover. No LG AT&T phone came with that logo and never will.
Additionally they may have flashed AT&T firmware over it. Maybe they used AT&T IMEI.
I don't know all the extent it's not genuine -- the back cover is enough proof.
Someone else last year bought an "AT&T H931" which would not update from some eBay dealer. When he told the dealer it didn't seem genuine, as it wouldn't update, the dealer didn't even try to argue. They offered full refund.
Here's your choices: you can return the phone or you can flash it to North American LG carrier unlocked firmware and update it yourself. It can run on AT&T but won't have AT&T VoLTE, etc.
If you need/want genuine AT&T H931 with updated firmware, you need to return it and see if they have an actual AT&T H931 they can send you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the information. I will contact the seller. One more question: when I got this phone my intentions were to upgrade to android pie. Is it worth it to go to pie or stay on oreo?
arobles said:
Thanks for all the information. I will contact the seller. One more question: when I got this phone my intentions were to upgrade to android pie. Is it worth it to go to pie or stay on oreo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Real AT&T H931:
If you have no intention of bootloader unlock and root, you can go to Pie.
If you bootloader unlock, you have to TEMPORARILY downgrade to early Oreo. Then update back to most recent firmware, which for XDA H931 users is only last Oreo. AT&T only updates OTA for customers and only on pure stock. We have last AT&T Oreo made by devs but not AT&T Pie. We do have other Pie stock ROMs made by devs for other carriers and for carrier unlocked.
OTHER:
If you use North American carrier unlocked firmware, in my opinion there's really no advantage to Pie at this point in time. I'm still on last Oreo, which is rock stable. But I'm running rooted stock US998 firmware on AT&T. I don't have VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling, because it's not a branded AT&T phone.
Conclusion:
Do NOT stay on early Oreo firmware. Too many fixes and additional features on latter Oreo updates.
ChazzMatt said:
Real AT&T H931:
If you have no intention of bootloader unlock and root, you can go to Pie.
If you bootloader unlock, you have to TEMPORARILY downgrade to early Oreo. Then update back to most recent firmware, which for XDA users is only last Oreo. AT&T only updates OTA for customers and only on pure stock. We have last Oreo made by devs but not Pie.
OTHER:
If you use North American carrier unlocked firmware, in my opinion there's really no advantage to Pie at this point in time. I'm still on last Oreo, which is rock stable. But I'm running rooted stock firmware.
Conclusion:
Do NOT stay on early Oreo firmware. Too many fixes and additional features on latter Oreo updates
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the last Oreo made by devs an at&t firmware that have wifi calling and volte?
From my experience, I believe this phone is opened and have different parts assembled from different carriers. For example, It's board might be genuine At&t and back cover is changed to international B&O. It is also possible that screen might be from any korean variant. This happens to old phones and no one can guarantee you the genuity.
arobles said:
Swappa only says that it is an LG V30. On another imei database http://www.imeipro.info says that is an V30 H931 from at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. While it IS possible the previous owner swapped out the back cover (you can buy them on eBay), not many have done that...
You can buy a V30+ back cover for your 64GB V30 to fool people.
You can even buy a black AT&T back cover!
It just seems very strange the OTA update doesn't work. It leads me to believe something has been done to it or it's not genuine. But maybe it is and the previous owner just "customized" it.
---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 PM ----------
arobles said:
Is the last Oreo made by devs an at&t firmware that have wifi calling and volte?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The last AT&T Oreo stock ROM (TWRP-flashable zip) does have AT&T VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling for AT&T customers. BUT, AT&T has to be convinced it's an AT&T H931 phone for those features to work. Has to be enabled on their end. I have a rooted US998 phone with AT&T SIM and I do not have those features. Even if I flashed the AT&T dev-made H931 Oreo ROM to "convert" it to H931, AT&T would still look at the IMEI and the Device ID and not enable those features.
If your phone can pass the AT&T sniff test, then you could bootloader unlock and root, then flash back to this firmware below and have rooted stock AT&T Oreo firmware:
LG V30 AT&T H931 Rom
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/lg-v30-att-h931-20f-rom-t3872926
The dev was not able to make an AT&T Pie stock ROM as there were too many changes in Pie. He had to UNroot his phone, take the OTA, then merge it with a base framework and create a KDZ. Both AT&T and Sprint refuse to publicly release full image KDZ of their carrier firmware. They only let customers have partial image OTA updates.
As a result, many people who have bought AT&T H931 in other countries (where there is no AT&T) convert their phone to open market US998 or even carrier unlocked Canada H931 firmware. (It's called Frankenstein.) Then they can manually update their phones themselves, when new KDZ are released for those variants. We post those KDZ here in this forum.
You really only want AT&T firmware if you are an AT&T customer. I am an AT&T customer and I still don't want AT&T firmware. I prefer the Open Market US998 rooted Oreo, but that's my personal opinion.
ChazzMatt said:
Interesting. While it IS possible the previous owner swapped out the back cover (you can buy them on eBay), not many have done that...
You can buy a V30+ back cover for your 64GB V30 to fool people.
You can even buy a black AT&T back cover!
It just seems very strange the OTA update doesn't work. It leads me to believe something has been done to it or it's not genuine. But maybe it is and the previous owner just "customized" it.
---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 PM ----------
Yes. The last AT&T Oreo stock ROM (TWRP-flashable zip) does have AT&T VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling for AT&T customers. BUT, AT&T has to be convinced it's an AT&T H931 phone for those features to work. Has to be enabled on their end. I have a rooted US998 phone with AT&T SIM and I do not have those features. Even if I flashed the AT&T dev-made H931 Oreo ROM to "convert" it to H931, AT&T would still look at the IMEI and the Device ID and not enable those features.
If your phone can pass the AT&T sniff test, then you could bootloader unlock and root, then flash back to this firmware below and have rooted stock AT&T Oreo firmware:
LG V30 AT&T H931 Rom
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/lg-v30-att-h931-20f-rom-t3872926
The dev was not able to make an AT&T Pie stock ROM as there were too many changes in Pie. He had to UNroot his phone, take the OTA, then merge it with a base framework and create a KDZ. Both AT&T and Sprint refuse to publicly release full image KDZ of their carrier firmware. They only let customers have partial image OTA updates.
As a result, many people who have bought AT&T H931 in other countries (where there is no AT&T) convert their phone to open market US998 or even carrier unlocked Canada H931 firmware. (It's called Frankenstein.) Then they can manually update their phones themselves, when new KDZ are released for those variants. We post those KDZ here in this forum.
You really only want AT&T firmware if you are an AT&T customer. I am an AT&T customer and I still don't want AT&T firmware. I prefer the Open Market US998 rooted Oreo, but that's my personal opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put my at&t sim in the phone and I was able to use wifi calling and volte. Does that means that with the dev firmware I can still use those feautures?
arobles said:
I put my at&t sim in the phone and I was able to use wifi calling and volte. Does that means that with the dev firmware I can still use those feautures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
ChazzMatt said:
Yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I understand I have to do after reading the link you send me:
LG V30 (H93120c) -> FRANKENSTEIN (NOUGAT US998 then Oreo US998) -> unlock bootloader -> Install TWRP -> LG V30 AT&T H931-20Q ROM
arobles said:
This is what I understand I have to do after reading the link you send me:
LG V30 (H93120c) -> FRANKENSTEIN (NOUGAT US998 then Oreo US998) -> unlock bootloader -> Install TWRP -> LG V30 AT&T H931-20Q ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
There's also couple of other files you flash with TWRP -- encryption disabler and root check disabler, but it's described with the WTF instructions.

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