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How to Root the LG G4: All Variants Guide

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How to Root the LG G4: All Variants Guide

Rooting your LG G4 gives you full administrative control over the Android operating system, allowing you to remove bloatware, install custom ROMs, use root-only apps, and tweak system settings. This guide covers the general process for all LG G4 variants (H815, H811, VS986, LS991, etc.), but you must confirm your specific model and bootloader status before starting. The steps below use a PC and require you to enable Developer Options and OEM unlocking on the phone.

What You’ll Need

  • An LG G4 with at least 70% battery charge
  • A Windows PC (most tools are Windows-only)
  • Original USB cable that supports data transfer
  • Backup of your personal data (rooting may wipe the device)
  • ADB and Fastboot tools installed on your PC (or a bundled tool like LGUP or TWRP)
  • Appropriate root files: SuperSU or Magisk ZIP, and a custom recovery like TWRP (if not using a systemless method)

Step-by-Step

  1. Back up everything. Use LG Backup or a third-party app to save contacts, photos, and app data to your PC or SD card.
  2. Enable Developer Options. Go to Settings > About phone and tap Software information. Tap Build number seven times until you see “You are now a developer.�
  3. Enable OEM unlocking and USB debugging. In Settings > Developer options, turn on OEM unlocking and USB debugging. If OEM unlocking is missing, your carrier may have disabled it; you’ll need a carrier-unlocked variant.
  4. Install LG USB drivers. Download and install the official LG USB drivers on your PC so the phone is recognized.
  5. Unlock the bootloader (if required). For international H815 (unlocked) models, go to LG’s official bootloader unlock site and follow their instructions. For US carrier variants (e.g., AT&T H810, Verizon VS986), the bootloader is typically locked and cannot be officially unlocked; you may need to use a variant-specific exploit (e.g., using lglaf or a custom tool like LG-G4-Bootloader-Unlock). This step is model-specific and may void warranty.
  6. Boot into fastboot mode. Power off the phone, then press and hold Volume Down + Power for about 10 seconds. In some variants, you may need to plug into the PC while holding the button. You should see a fastboot screen.
  7. Flash a custom recovery (TWRP). On your PC, open a command prompt in the ADB/fastboot folder and run: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img. Then run fastboot reboot.
  8. Boot into TWRP. After reboot, power off again, then press and hold Volume Down + Power. When the LG logo appears, release and re-press Volume Down to boot into recovery.
  9. Install the root ZIP. In TWRP, tap Install, select the SuperSU or Magisk ZIP you transferred to the phone, and swipe to flash. If you use Magisk, it will also patch the boot image automatically.
  10. Wipe cache and reboot. After flashing, go to Wipe > Advanced and wipe Dalvik/ART cache and cache. Then reboot the system. The first boot may take longer than usual.
  11. Verify root. Install a root checker app from the Play Store (or use a terminal command su) to confirm root access.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong variant files. Flashing a TWRP image or root ZIP meant for a different LG G4 model can brick the device. Always match your exact model number (e.g., H815 vs. H811).
  • Skipping the OEM unlock toggle. If you don’t enable OEM unlocking, the bootloader unlock may fail or cause a boot loop.
  • Not backing up. Rooting often wipes data, especially when unlocking the bootloader. Losing photos or files is a common regret.
  • Using a faulty USB cable. A charge-only cable can cause ADB/fastboot to fail mid-flash, potentially corrupting the recovery.
  • Ignoring battery level. A sudden shutdown during flashing can hard-brick the phone.

Tips

  • Check the XDA Developers forum for your exact LG G4 variant. The community often posts specific instructions and files for each model.
  • If you’re on a locked bootloader variant, look for “systemless rootâ€� methods that don’t require an unlocked bootloader (e.g., using LG-G4-Root tools that exploit a vulnerability in the bootloader). These are more advanced and carry higher risk.
  • Keep a copy of your stock firmware (KDZ) in case you need to restore the phone to factory state.
  • After rooting, consider using Magisk modules instead of Xposed to avoid compatibility issues with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).
  • Always read the release notes of the root tool to ensure it supports your Android security patch level.

Troubleshooting

  • Phone stuck on LG logo (boot loop). This usually means the boot image was not patched correctly. Boot into TWRP (if available) and reflash the root ZIP. If TWRP is gone, use the KDZ tool to restore stock firmware and start over.
  • Fastboot not detecting the phone. Install the LG USB drivers, try a different USB port, and ensure USB debugging is enabled. On some variants, you must hold Volume Up instead of Volume Down to enter fastboot.
  • OEM unlocking option is grayed out. This is common on carrier-branded devices. You cannot unlock the bootloader officially; look for a carrier-specific exploit or consider a different phone for rooting.
  • TWRP flashes but phone boots to stock recovery. Some LG G4 variants have a recovery partition that is overwritten by the system. Try flashing TWRP via the fastboot boot twrp.img command instead (temporary boot) and then flash root from there.
  • Root checker says no root after flashing. The root ZIP may not have flashed correctly. Boot back into TWRP and flash again, ensuring you swipe to confirm the flash. Also check that you’re using the correct SuperSU version for Android 6.0 (e.g., 2.82+).
  • Phone is bricked (no response). If the phone doesn’t power on at all, you may need to use the LG UP tool to flash the stock KDZ firmware. This is a last resort and requires the phone to be in Download Mode (hold Volume Up while connecting USB).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will rooting void my warranty? Yes, in most cases. Unlocking the bootloader and flashing custom recovery voids the manufacturer warranty. Some carriers may still cover hardware issues, but it’s not guaranteed.
  • Can I unroot my LG G4? Yes. You can flash the stock firmware using LGUP, which will remove root and custom recovery. Alternatively, you can use SuperSU’s “Full unrootâ€� option if you’re on a systemless root.
  • Does rooting allow me to install Android 7.0 or higher? No, rooting itself doesn’t update the OS. But with an unlocked bootloader, you can install custom ROMs based on newer Android versions, provided the developer has built them for your variant.
  • Is it safe to root my LG G4? Rooting is safe if you follow instructions precisely and use correct files. There is always a risk of bricking, but it’s low when you match the model and use reliable tools.
  • Why is my LG G4 not showing the OEM unlock option? This is typical for carrier-locked devices. The option is hidden or disabled by the carrier. You’ll need to seek a variant-specific exploit or use a different phone.
  • What is the difference between SuperSU and Magisk? SuperSU is the classic root manager, while Magisk is a newer systemless root that also allows modules and hides root from some apps. For Android 6.0, both work, but Magisk is more actively maintained.

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