[Guide][Tutorial] Root TWRP LG V20 using Dirtysanta[Most Variants][Noobfriendly]

[bhizzle]

Yeah. Use KDZ Writer to update the modem to one from the latest KDZ for your variant BEFORE v20a.
@emdroidle said elsewhere using v20a modems on AOSP currently causes kernel crashes, so for the time being use one of those v1x ones (should just be able to use the latest stock non-Oreo KDZ like I said above).
I don't know if updating your modem will fix that though, dark mode not enabling wouldn't be a modem thing, not sure about the delay before showing the dialer.
I actually haven't updated my modem since I went to LineageOS. Wonder if I should? Or more appropriately, wonder if I NEED to...
Edit: Last KDZ I flashed on stock before going to LOS was v10k

I'll do as instructed and revert. Thanks for your assistance so far

 

[gill542]

Hi, can someone help me, i am stuck with black screen
i had flashed us996 rom on my h915 model, it was successful, and i did root, it was also successful too, i was able to get into twrp one time, but it is black screen, i can hear my phone turning on, but i cant connect to pc to use lgup or lgflash to install stock firmware

---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 AM ----------

there is blak screen, so i cant see if i am in download mode, as i remeber when i held vol down button and connected to pc, there was fastboot mode, so dont know how to get into download mode now

 

[Mijin_Gakure]

This guide mentions that I need to flash my firmware back to the December 2016 version before rooting; is there a guide anywhere for a non-advanced user to accomplish this? Unless I'm totally missing something I didn't see any instructions on how to do this here. Additionally where can I find the file I need to download to install the December 2016 version on my phone? This will be my first time attempting to root. I'm not totally oblivious when it comes to following technical instructions regarding computers, but I lack knowledge/experience with smartphones.

 

[cnjax]

This guide mentions that I need to flash my firmware back to the December 2016 version before rooting; is there a guide anywhere for a non-advanced user to accomplish this? Unless I'm totally missing something I didn't see any instructions on how to do this here. Additionally where can I find the file I need to download to install the December 2016 version on my phone? This will be my first time attempting to root. I'm not totally oblivious when it comes to following technical instructions regarding computers, but I lack knowledge/experience with smartphones.

Start by reading the OP

Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

 

[Mijin_Gakure]

Start by reading the OP

Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

Thanks,

I've read all of it in it's entirety already. Perhaps I'm confused because of my lack of knowledge about some of the technical terms being used without elaboration regarding to smartphones and their processes, but I was under the impression the OP was suggesting that first before doing any of the steps he goes on to detail, that anyone with a up-to-date Verizon LG V20 must flash their phone back to the December 2016 firmware before even attempting the rooting process that he goes on to explain. I was also under the impression that instructions on how to revert the firmware are left out of anything that he mentions (probably because it's assumed that anyone attempting a root would already know how to do this). Are you suggesting that the process he outlines does in fact include flashing the phone back to old firmware and I'm just misunderstanding? If so that would be good to know.

 

[jackson019]

Thanks,

I've read all of it in it's entirety already. Perhaps I'm confused because of my lack of knowledge about some of the technical terms being used without elaboration regarding to smartphones and their processes, but I was under the impression the OP was suggesting that first before doing any of the steps he goes on to detail, that anyone with a up-to-date Verizon LG V20 must flash their phone back to the December 2016 firmware before even attempting the rooting process that he goes on to explain. I was also under the impression that instructions on how to revert the firmware are left out of anything that he mentions (probably because it's assumed that anyone attempting a root would already know how to do this). Are you suggesting that the process he outlines does in fact include flashing the phone back to old firmware and I'm just misunderstanding? If so that would be good to know.

I spent about a week reading posts on here before I attempted anything as the information required to actually get started is rather spread out. There is no one complete guide that tells you absolutely everything you need to know as between the various carriers and models of the V20 there are little differences for each. This makes it pretty difficult for newcomers who want to get into it, but it also marks just how serious the process is. You need to be aware of the risks involved with what you're doing. This guide does NOT tell you how to downgrade firmware. If you do a bit of searching you should find out how to use the LGUP program to downgrade. There is a bit of trickiness to it so be sure to read as much as you can.

I would spend more time here going through the guides and try to compile information in your own writeup. I've noticed most users here don't like to spoonfeed the process, but I definitely understand the confusion. The original dirtysanta root guide has 380+ pages of posts with little hints here and there for your specific phone that might not be found elsewhere. Spend some more time on reading the guides, try searching reddit and youtube as well. If you're still stuck I can help point you in the right direction.

 

[Mijin_Gakure]

I spent about a week reading posts on here before I attempted anything as the information required to actually get started is rather spread out. There is no one complete guide that tells you absolutely everything you need to know as between the various carriers and models of the V20 there are little differences for each. This makes it pretty difficult for newcomers who want to get into it, but it also marks just how serious the process is. You need to be aware of the risks involved with what you're doing. This guide does NOT tell you how to downgrade firmware. If you do a bit of searching you should find out how to use the LGUP program to downgrade. There is a bit of trickiness to it so be sure to read as much as you can.

I would spend more time here going through the guides and try to compile information in your own writeup. I've noticed most users here don't like to spoonfeed the process, but I definitely understand the confusion. The original dirtysanta root guide has 380+ pages of posts with little hints here and there for your specific phone that might not be found elsewhere. Spend some more time on reading the guides, try searching reddit and youtube as well. If you're still stuck I can help point you in the right direction.

Since you tipped me off with the name of LGUP I was able to find and use it to flash my vs995 back to the December 2016 version. After a lot of trial and error I was able to get it fully rooted using the guide here, but the problem is I was only able to successfully flash it with the supersu that's included in the root pack downloaded fro the link in OP. I wanted to use magisk, but it would just tell me error when trying to flash it. I suspect this is because I was using the newest version of magisk, but I used the root package 4.0 in lieu of 6.0 so I could keep up with the images OP posted since it was so different in 6.0, and as such i don't think my TWRP is up to date and hence magisk 18.0 won't work. That's currently my best guess anyway.

 

[Vortell]

Since you tipped me off with the name of LGUP I was able to find and use it to flash my vs995 back to the December 2016 version. After a lot of trial and error I was able to get it fully rooted using the guide here, but the problem is I was only able to successfully flash it with the supersu that's included in the root pack downloaded fro the link in OP. I wanted to use magisk, but it would just tell me error when trying to flash it. I suspect this is because I was using the newest version of magisk, but I used the root package 4.0 in lieu of 6.0 so I could keep up with the images OP posted since it was so different in 6.0, and as such i don't think my TWRP is up to date and hence magisk 18.0 won't work. That's currently my best guess anyway.

Just download newest TWRP as an image and flash it as one in current TWRP... There is a button on bottom right for it. Make sure to make a backup first.

 

[Mijin_Gakure]

Just download newest TWRP as an image and flash it as one in current TWRP... There is a button on bottom right for it. Make sure to make a backup first.

I found the current version of twrp by Phoenix591. So you're saying I just put the image on my SD card, load up the current version of twrp, and then flash the new twrp image using the same process I would use to flash magisk or supersu by clicking "install" on the top left of the twrp menu?

 

[Redline]

I found the current version of twrp by Phoenix591. So you're saying I just put the image on my SD card, load up the current version of twrp, and then flash the new twrp image using the same process I would use to flash magisk or supersu by clicking "install" on the top left of the twrp menu?

That's correct.
Simply select install image, select the image and flash it. Reboot to recovery and you're now on the new version.

 

[Mijin_Gakure]

That's correct.
Simply select install image, select the image and flash it. Reboot to recovery and you're now on the new version.

Thanks, worked perfectly. I'm now on the current version of twrp, but still receiving error 1 when trying to flash magisk. I read another guide somewhere that said to correct error 1 I need to put "boot.img" on my micro SD card, but they give no description of what "boot.img" is or where to get one. So once I figure that out I may be one step closer. I was forced to use boot2 from the root package the OP provided because the other one wouldn't load after 15 min, so idk if that's causing this.

I had to copy bootbackup.img from the Root Package directory to my SD card, flash it in TWRP and then everything went smoothly!

Doing this managed to brick my phone. Hoping I can fix it using LGUP

 

[jackson019]

Thanks, worked perfectly. I'm now on the current version of twrp, but still receiving error 1 when trying to flash magisk. I read another guide somewhere that said to correct error 1 I need to put "boot.img" on my micro SD card, but they give no description of what "boot.img" is or where to get one. So once I figure that out I may be one step closer. I was forced to use boot2 from the root package the OP provided because the other one wouldn't load after 15 min, so idk if that's causing this.


Doing this managed to brick my phone. Hoping I can fix it using LGUP

I think you need to slow down! All the information is there, you just need to sift through it carefully. Post questions when you're completely stuck. There's no need to jump the gun. If you can't boot or get into TWRP, then you need to boot back into download mode and use LGUP to do a Partition DL KDZ flash of 12A or 13A and start over.

 

[Mijin_Gakure]

Thanks for the great work! I need a lil help with my VS995 tho...
After I complete the process I hang on the verizon spash screen indefinitely. Flashing boot2 image fixes the problem, but when I flash Magisk I get the error: Boot image patched by other programs! Please restore stock boot image.
Flashing boot1 image fixes the Magisk error, but then I'm back to hanging on the spash screen.
Any suggestions?

Edit: I had to copy bootbackup.img from the Root Package directory to my SD card, flash it in TWRP and then everything went smoothly!

I think you need to slow down! All the information is there, you just need to sift through it carefully. Post questions when you're completely stuck. There's no need to jump the gun. If you can't boot or get into TWRP, then you need to boot back into download mode and use LGUP to do a Partition DL KDZ flash of 12A or 13A and start over.

The problem is I am completely stuck. Following this guide I've managed to get twrp working, and updated as suggested later, but when I go to install magisk it just gives me error1. I've read elsewhere that this may be because the Installer can't mount the Vendor partition, the reason for that may be that the ROM I've installed is a treble. I've read every post in this whole thread, and the only one who offered a solution for this problem was d0p35m0k3, however, using his method it just caused my screen to become all jumbled up with grey vertical lines everywhere; they were even present in twrp. This could be because of my own fault somehow, he didn't say what partition to flash "bootbackup.img" to so I assumed boot, perhaps it was another one? Additionally I used the bootbackup.img from the first file I believe which was the root package 4.0 listed here, but I actually installed the 6.0 version later, so maybe that was the problem. I've got my phone working again after reformatting it with LGUP, so I guess my next step will be to reinstall twrp, get it updated again, then try to take the correct bootbackup.img out of the root package 6.0 file, and then flash it, since all that's left at this point is trial and error unless more direction is discovered. I'm already 9 hours into this; no sense in giving up now.

 

[Vortell]

The problem is I am completely stuck. Following this guide I've managed to get twrp working, and updated as suggested later, but when I go to install magisk it just gives me error1. I've read elsewhere that this may be because the Installer can't mount the Vendor partition, the reason for that may be that the ROM I've installed is a treble. I've read every post in this whole thread, and the only one who offered a solution for this problem was d0p35m0k3, however, using his method it just caused my screen to become all jumbled up with grey vertical lines everywhere; they were even present in twrp. This could be because of my own fault somehow, he didn't say what partition to flash "bootbackup.img" to so I assumed boot, perhaps it was another one? Additionally I used the bootbackup.img from the first file I believe which was the root package 4.0 listed here, but I actually installed the 6.0 version later, so maybe that was the problem. I've got my phone working again after reformatting it with LGUP, so I guess my next step will be to reinstall twrp, get it updated again, then try to take the correct bootbackup.img out of the root package 6.0 file, and then flash it, since all that's left at this point is trial and error unless more direction is discovered. I'm already 9 hours into this; no sense in giving up now.

Just go get mk2000 kernel for your model. You need a dirty Santa kernel to avoid the static. Even if you do have static if you wait long enough then press power to turn screen off and on again and it should be fine. You need to wait long enough for first boot to complete. It will be 5 10 maybe15 minutes depending on rom. If you just want static gone the first step is to get right nougat kernel. Use a bttf kernel for nougat. It's easiest way to make sure you are using a nougat kernel from mk2k. You could use the other but it doesn't seem to be as fast to me. If you want to just get stock working and you feel stuck I suggest alpha Omega. Use nougat if you are planning on using custom rom and want fingerprint to work. Otherwise use Oreo. There is even a nougat restore zip that could help you from the same i95swervin. Maybe try this first then use full firmware alpha omega. It's kind of up to you how you want to try to solve the issue. Everything else seems fine if you have TWRP.

 

[Mijin_Gakure]

Just go get mk2000 kernel for your model. You need a dirty Santa kernel to avoid the static. Even if you do have static if you wait long enough then press power to turn screen off and on again and it should be fine. You need to wait long enough for first boot to complete. It will be 5 10 maybe15 minutes depending on rom. If you just want static gone the first step is to get right nougat kernel. Use a bttf kernel for nougat. It's easiest way to make sure you are using a nougat kernel from mk2k. You could use the other but it doesn't seem to be as fast to me. If you want to just get stock working and you feel stuck I suggest alpha Omega. Use nougat if you are planning on using custom rom and want fingerprint to work. Otherwise use Oreo. There is even a nougat restore zip that could help you from the same i95swervin. Maybe try this first then use full firmware alpha omega. It's kind of up to you how you want to try to solve the issue. Everything else seems fine if you have TWRP.

Searched for mk2000 kernel.
Found Super-Rom for vs995.
Downgraded twrp as per instructions.
Flashed Super-Rom using the mk2000 kernel.
Selected magisk during the install.
Got this custom rom working.
Magisk is still not working, and the phone is not rooted.
Tried flashing magisk 18.0 again through twrp just in case, but still wont work.

I'm at this point willing to even pay someone from here to walk me through this if anyone's interested.

 

[Vortell]

Searched for mk2000 kernel.
Found Super-Rom for vs995.
Downgraded twrp as per instructions.
Flashed Super-Rom using the mk2000 kernel.
Selected magisk during the install.
Got this custom rom working.
Magisk is still not working, and the phone is not rooted.
Tried flashing magisk 18.0 again through twrp just in case, but still wont work.

I'm at this point willing to even pay someone from here to walk me through this if anyone's interested.

First thing first the device is running and no static right? Second did you install magisk manager? Also what phone are you on? You should still go get newest kernel. Aka mk2000 bttf ... As I have told you already. Just like I said ao Alpha Omega not super. Not sure what's on super anymore... Last what's your goal with the phone? Custom rom,stock Oreo or stock nougat? If it's custom then flash that. If it's a Oreo there flash alpha Omega Oreo. If it's nougat stock I would use alpha Omega as well super has more extras but I have had it break things too. Also if magisk 18 isn't working try 17. I mean it's been a while since I tried to use stock nougat.

 

[Mijin_Gakure]

First thing first the device is running and no static right? Second did you install magisk manager? Also what phone are you on? You should still go get newest kernel. Aka mk2000 bttf ... As I have told you already. Just like I said ao Alpha Omega not super. Not sure what's on super anymore... Last what's your goal with the phone? Custom rom,stock Oreo or stock nougat? If it's custom then flash that. If it's a Oreo there flash alpha Omega Oreo. If it's nougat stock I would use alpha Omega as well super has more extras but I have had it break things too. Also if magisk 18 isn't working try 17. I mean it's been a while since I tried to use stock nougat.

With all the trial and error I'm doing my brain get's clouded with everything since I have to google every term I'm unfamiliar with. It's like being a non-native speaker trying to translate a conversation while trouble shooting. Yes, to answer your question, there is no more static after using LGUP to revert back to stock rom from december 2016. I got the rom from https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-vs995-firmwares/#tab=firmwares, it says OS is "Unknown" so I don't know if it's Oreo or Nougat, but I'd guess Nougat since it seems it didn't switch to Oreo until 2018, and the rom's from 2016, but that's just a guess. I did try 17.1 magisk too with Super-Rom, both 18.0 and 17.1 gave me error1 messages when attempting to flash in TWRP. I guess the next thing I'll try is to reformat back to VS99512A_06_1114_ARB00 stock rom, then follow the steps of this guide again, and then attempt to flash Alpha Omega Nougat as per your suggestion in TWRP, and then see if I can get magisk working without error1.

Edit: I forgot to mention I did install Magisk Manager on a few of my various attempts to get it working, including this last one using Super-Rom. I'm not sure for what purpose these guides say to install it though before flashing magisk 18.0/17.1/or w/e since I haven't been able to do anything with it.

The static was just a temporary problem I had when I was trying something someone else suggested to get past the error1 problem when flashing magisk in twrp. The main problem I've been having for the last 21 hours that I've been working on this is trying to get past twrp telling me I cannot install magisk.

Update:

I managed to get magisk working.
I first used this guide: https://xdaforums.com/v20/how-to/restore-v20-to-100-stock-bricked-devices-t3524903 to restore my vs995 to stock using the VS99512A_06_1114_ARB00 from https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-vs995-firmwares/#tab=firmwares.

I then used the OP's guide in this thread step by step. I was forced to follow the steps to restart with boot2 because boot1 wouldn't load after 15 min, and I was also forced to follow his instructions to eemove encryption error by wiping everything from TWRP.

Then I flashed with A-O_4.0_VS995.zip from https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=282036. I installed using the mk2000 kernel as suggested.

Got the rom to load with working magisk, updating magisk breaks it, and using Hide Magisk Manager doesn't function as intended either (it doesn't rename it), but as long as I leave it on the packaged version it works, but I guess if I want to use it for what I went through all this for I'll need to find a way to make the hide feature work... Magisk Manager also keeps crashing when I try to type in the search field of the download section. Won't work for what I wanted it for, but sort of working I guess nonetheless.

 

[Vortell]

Won't work for what I wanted it for, but sort of working I guess nonetheless.

So I'm using stock Oreo for now tell pie roms mature more. Magisk 18 does work on it. Honestly though now that you got rom working the best place to try to figure out your magisk issue is in the magisk thread.

 

[inspigr]

Hi,

I followed the step and at the point that i wait the phone to reboot and after 1 1/2 hours!!! nothing happens....i see only LG Life's Good
I try to pull out the battery, restart again the same. I have the LG V20 H990ds model.
Please advice!

 

[Raka.P]

Want To Ask

Did anyone already tried this on LS997 Oreo ?