Best version to buy? - LG V30 Questions & Answers

I'm looking at purchasing a V30 or V30+ to use with Straight Talk (AT&T) service. I would like to be able to unlock bootloader, root and use custom ROMs. Which version would be recommended for this? Or does it matter as long has it's not the t-mo version?

dreamliner77 said:
I'm looking at purchasing a V30 or V30+ to use with Straight Talk (AT&T) service.
I would like to be able to unlock bootloader, root and use custom ROMs. Which version would be recommended for this? Or does it matter as long has it's not the t-mo version?
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Get V30+, US998. It will either be native US998 V30+ or probably already-converted LS998 30+ to US998 V30+ -- either of which works for your desired purpose. V30+ has 128GB internal memory, so a better deal.
For what you want, do not get T-Mobile H932, AT&T H931 or Canada H933.

ChazzMatt said:
Get V30+, US998. It will either be native US998 V30+ or probably already-converted LS998 30+ to US998 V30+ -- either of which works for your desired purpose. V30+ has 128GB internal memory, so a better deal.
For what you want, do not get T-Mobile H932, AT&T H931 or Canada H933.
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Thanks! Gonna go track one down.

Related

Which variant should I buy?

I'm planning to switch to a V30 from my G6 but I don't know which variant to buy..
I want one that gets the quickest updates while also working on American carriers (Verizon preferred). Root not important. Which one would you prefer?
Honestly, pick up whichever variant you can get the cheapest. Do not get the T-Mobile variant. If you use the WTF bootloader and frankenstein conversion method, you will end up with a converted US998.
I converted my ATT H931 to US998 and it works on verizon perfectly, except when using BoomBox rom. That rom doesnt work with verizon service for some odd reason.
You don't have to root or unlock the bootloader, just Convert the phone if you so wish.
Thisisabadname said:
I'm planning to switch to a V30 from my G6 but I don't know which variant to buy..
I want one that gets the quickest updates while also working on American carriers (Verizon preferred). Root not important. Which one would you prefer?
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You said root is big important, but my answer involves root... If you don't want root, then you need to hurt get a Verizon VS996.
They all have root, except for T-Mobile H932.
Buy the cheapest you can get of the North American variants, and then convert it to what you need after bootloader unlocked and rooted.
In the bootloader unlock procedure you will convert it to US998 for fastboot flash commands. After that is done.-- bootloader unlock and root -- then you can add back Verizon Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE.
Right now mint LS998 V30+ are going for $335 on eBay. I've bought two of those, to convert to the US998 and run on AT&T. You can run it on Verizon, with VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling for Verizon.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+

H932 T-Mo US

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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Click to collapse
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+
Click to expand...
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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

T-Mobile Band 71 support in LS998 converted to US998

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.

Flashing LG V30 Plus with Canadian stock rom

Hello,
I have an LG V30 Plus (model LGH930G) which was bought in Israel.
I was wondering if there's a stock ROM for an equivalent Canadian model, I can install on it.
A while back I managed to do a similar process on an AT&T LG G6, using this tutorial: https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-g6/how-to/convert-upgrade-att-g6-to-h873-oreo-t3791848
Is there something similar for the LG V30+?
From searching the net, I found that the closest Canadian model is H933 (from looking here: https://www.techwalls.com/lg-v30-model-number-differences), however, they have different specs (the H930 has 128Gb storage instead of 64Gb in the H933 model. That's the only difference I have found on the hardware part, and I am not sure it is relevant (as it is just storage).
Also, there is a difference with the supported LTE bands, but with my LG G6, that was software based, so I hope it is the same here.
I can send any additional information required.
Any help will be highly appreciated.
Thanks!
Flashing LG V30 Plus with Canadian stock rom
joeshachaf said:
Hello,
I have an LG V30 Plus (model LGH930G) which was bought in Israel.
I was wondering if there's a stock ROM for an equivalent Canadian model, I can install on it.
A while back I managed to do a similar process on an AT&T LG G6, using this tutorial: https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-g6/how-to/convert-upgrade-att-g6-to-h873-oreo-t3791848
Is there something similar for the LG V30+?
From searching the net, I found that the closest Canadian model is H933 (from looking here: https://www.techwalls.com/lg-v30-model-number-differences), however, they have different specs (the H930 has 128Gb storage instead of 64Gb in the H933 model. That's the only difference I have found on the hardware part, and I am not sure it is relevant (as it is just storage).
Also, there is a difference with the supported LTE bands, but with my LG G6, that was software based, so I hope it is the same here.
I can send any additional information required.
Any help will be highly appreciated.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO.
You can flash some "V30+" to Canada H933 -- but you bought the wrong V30+ to do that. What you are talking about is what we call Frankenstein, but only works among North American variants (and even then NOT T-mobile H932).
1) The H930* models cannot be cross flashed to change modems on any of the North American models. Even cross flashing the H930* models among themselves (64Gb H930, 128GB H930G V30+, 64GB H930D, 128GB H930DS V30+) does not change modems of those models. For H930* models, you are stuck with the LTE bands you have, even if you changed firmware to another H930* variant. (H930DS often flashes to EU H930 KDZ firmware for "WTF" bootloader unlock and root method, but H930DS LTE bands still remain the same.)
2) Whereas if you had bought LS998 V30+ or US998 V30+, YES, you could cross flash to most other North American firmware (AS998, Verizon VS996, Canada H933, AT&T H931, Puerto Rico H932PR) and vice versa. These are complete conversions -- even changing modems, LTE bands. Those North American variants are chameleon-like and can be cross flashed using our Frankenstein instructions and Dev Patched LGUP..
Those Frankenstein instructions are to convert most North American variants to US998, but also work to convert to Canadian H933. I converted an LS998 V30+ to US998 V30+ and then to Canadian H933 (but still V30+). But your H930G V30+ is not eligible for that.
ChazzMatt said:
Flashing LG V30 Plus with Canadian stock rom
NO.
You can flash some "V30+" to Canada H933 -- but you bought the wrong V30+ to do that.
The H930* models cannot be cross flashed to change modems on any of the North American models. Even cross flashing the H930* models among themselves (64Gb H930, 128GB H930G V30+, 64GB H930D, 128GB H930DS V30+) does not change modems of those models. For H930* models, you are stuck with the LTE bands you have, even if you changed firmware to another H930* variant. (H930DS often flashes to EU H930 KDZ firmware for "WTF" bootloader unlock and root method, but H930DS LTE bands remain the same.)
Whereas if you had bought LS998 V30+ or US998 V30+, YES, you could cross flash to most other North American firmware (AS998, Verizon VS996, Canada H933, AT&T H931) and vice versa. These are complete conversions even changing modems, LTE bands. Those North American variants are chameleon like and can be cross flashed using our Frankenstein instructions and Dev Patched LGUP..
Those Frankenstein instructions are to convert most North American variants to US998, but also work to convert to Canadian H933. I converted an LS998 V30+ to US998 V30+ and then to Canadian H933 (but still V30+). But your H930G V30+ is not eligible for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
The phone was bought when I was in Israel, back then it was the right phone
Follow up question, if I may: as the US998 is discontinued, I imagine there's no point to buy it now, unless you have some pointers I didn't think of?
Thank you again!
joeshachaf said:
Thanks!
The phone was bought when I was in Israel, back then it was the right phone
Follow up question, if I may: as the US998 is discontinued, I imagine there's no point to buy it now, unless you have some pointers I didn't think of?
Thank you again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still buy mint US998 V30+ on eBay, for $140. Price goes up and down a few dollars depending on the week. For months was $110, then recently $170. Currently $140. They are all really former LS998 V30+ converted to US998 V30+ via Frankenstein. I've bought from this guy several times.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-V30-US998-128GB-Titan-Black-Unlocked-Smartphone-9-10/173665613177
Then, sell your current phone if you wish to defray the difference.
ChazzMatt said:
You can still buy mint US998 V30+ on eBay, for $140. Price goes up and down a few dollars depending on the week. For months was $110, then recently $170. Currently $140. They are all really former LS998 V30+ converted to US998 V30+ via Frankenstein. I've bought from this guy several times.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-V30-US998-128GB-Titan-Black-Unlocked-Smartphone-9-10/173665613177
Then, sell your current phone if you wish to defray the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!
Much appreciated.

Best version to buy in 2021 for T-Mobile USA?

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?
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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.

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