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LG's website lists the US998 (supposedly the unlocked carrier free version) on their website as "LG V30™ U.S. Cellular"
http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US998-Silver-lg-v30
No band 71 listed in the Tech Specs.
Is this the unlocked version or a "U.S. Cellular" carrier version?
The "where to buy" button doesn't lead anywhere useful so it could be a placeholder.
Support Page for US998
http://www.lg.com/us/support-mobile/lg-LGUS998#
What's band71?
railmaster7 said:
LG's website lists the US998 (supposedly the unlocked carrier free version) on their website as "LG V30™ U.S. Cellular"
http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US998-Silver-lg-v30
No band 71 listed in the Tech Specs.
Is this the unlocked version or a "U.S. Cellular" carrier version?
The "where to buy" button doesn't lead anywhere useful so it could be a placeholder.
Support Page for US998
http://www.lg.com/us/support-mobile/lg-LGUS998#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has all been discussed in other threads, but it's good it's now a separate topic so we'll discuss it again.
The official carrier unlocked US998 , which will probably be announced end of October. The official carrier unlocked version will be sold directly by LG themselves as well as by retailers like B&H, Best Buy and Amazon. Go to the LG G6 US997 page to see how it will eventually work.
However, right now U.S. Cellular is selling this same model (US998) -- but locked to them -- as their carrier model. If you pay in full, they will unlock so it will work on ALL other U.S/Canada carriers. Other than the "temporary" carrier lock, there's no other difference RIGHT NOW between the U.S. Cellular LG V30/V30+ and the official unlocked carrier model which is coming in about 3 weeks. (EDIT: in another forum, someone said the U.S. Cellular model my not be eligible for official bootloader unlock, even though it's the same model number.)
Your other questions about T-mobile LTE band 71 on the US998 are answered below, which I copied and pasted from other thread.
rduong said:
If I buy the v30+ from us cellular, do you think I can use it for t mobile network with the same coverage as if I bought it from T-Mobile themselves?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AliLaPointe said:
It seems to have the same bands as the T-Mobile version minus band 71.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, what U.S. Cellular is selling does not have LTE band 71. But while this is the US998, it's not the official carrier unlocked US998. (When you buy this phone from U.S. Cellualr, pay in full, upon request U.S. Cellular will unlock it for you to use on other carriers.)
The official carrier unlocked version has not been "announced" by LG yet -- even though it's listed on B&H website, and we all know it's coming. When it's announced and released (probably end of October, according to B&H website), we are hoping
LG will have filed an FCC amendment to enable LTE band 71 on the US998. An amendment can be filed less than 2 weeks from actual release.
Or that with root, we can enable that band by flashing T-mobile radio over it.
The official carrier unlocked version will not need to have a carrier unlock it, of course. It will be unlocked out of the box. After that, then LG will add that model to the official bootloader unlock list. (EDIT: in another forum, someone said the U.S. Cellular model my not be eligible for official bootloader unlock, even though it's the same model number.)
If you buy this phone from U.S. Cellular right now, pay for it in full, get it carrier unlocked, you would still need to wait for LG to add the US998 to the official bootloader unlock list, to be able to root. Earlier this year it took them SIX WEEKS after the LG G6 US997 was released to be add that phone to their bootloader unlock list.
So, while we know this U.S. Cellular US998 right now does not have LTE band 71, it's possible the official unlocked US998 will have it -- or it can be enabled after root. Exciting times right now, with lots of stuff happening!
To get really specific, here you go:
If you buy this phone right now from U.S. Cellular -- and get unlock code from U.S. Cellular -- it will work on all U.S./Canadian carriers including T-mobile. However, right now it will not have T-mobile's LTE band 71 (600 MHz) which T-mobile has installed in a very few places. (It does have the T-mobile band 66 which is something else.)
If you buy this phone right now from U.S. Cellular, you will have the LG V30+ with 128GB internal storage + microSD card. Will T-mobile eventually sell the V30+ version of this phone, maybe in November, December? Possibly.
If you buy this phone right now from U.S. Cellular, YES you will have a phone that will EVENTUALLY have bootloader unlock and root. You will just have to wait for it a few more weeks, for LG to add it to the official bootloader unlock list. (EDIT: in another forum, someone said the U.S. Cellular model my not be eligible for official bootloader unlock, even though it's the same model number.)
Will T-mobile LG V30 ever have root? Probably not, unless LG/T-mobile has changed their minds since the T-mobile LG G6 was released.
If you buy this phone right now from U.S. Cellular, will you EVER have LTE band 71? Right now, we don't know. Before release, LG can file an FCC amendment to add LTE band 71 to the official carrier unlocked US998 or it possibly LTE band 71 can be enabled on US998 via root. Since this U.S. Cellular US998 and the official carrier unlocked US998 are the same hardware, you can flash any firmware meant for one over the other. IF the official carrier unlocked US998 ever gets LTE band 71, one way or the other, then YES so will this U.S. Cellular phone. (EDIT: in another forum, someone said the U.S. Cellular model my not be eligible for official bootloader unlock, even though it's the same model number.)
I just purchased the US998 from US Cellular for use on T-Mobile. It was carrier unlocked out of the box and works perfectly on T-Mobile. I definitely want band 71 so I'm wondering how long it will take to know if this model can be boot loader unlocked and rooted..and also if band 71 can be enabled.
sprke said:
I just purchased the US998 from US Cellular for use on T-Mobile. It was carrier unlocked out of the box and works perfectly on T-Mobile. I definitely want band 71 so I'm wondering how long it will take to know if this model can be boot loader unlocked and rooted..and also if band 71 can be enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you see my blue edits made a few hours ago to my post above? I'm hoping that's not correct information, but I had to pass it on.
We know the official carrier unlocked version will get bootloader unlock, but some day the U.S. Cellular version may not, even though it's the same model number? Seems strange, but I don't know. Not an expert on that.
ChazzMatt said:
Did you see my blue edits made a few hours ago to my post above? I'm hoping that's not correct information, but I had to pass it on.
We know the official carrier unlocked version will get bootloader unlock, but some day the U.S. Cellular version may not, even though it's the same model number? Seems strange, but I don't know. Not an expert on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I seen. I have a 15 day return window, I'll probably just use it and return it. I doubt we'll find out if the bootloader can be unlocked by then.
Why don't you just order it from T-Mobile if you're worried about getting Band 71 support? I ordered mine on Thursday (the 5th), paid for overnight shipping, and had it by noon on Friday.
So you can use this method to get the +, so long as you don’t care about band 71 you are good to go with your own carrier, so long as you pay in full?
Thanks for all the info!
Ipadlazy said:
So you can use this method to get the +, so long as you don’t care about band 71 you are good to go with your own carrier, so long as you pay in full?
Thanks for all the info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this version of the LG V30+ has all the U.S./Canada bands except for new T-Mobile LTE band 71. And as long as you pay in full, is carrier unlocked.
Just be aware it may not qualify for LG's bootloader unlock code, even though it's the exact same model number as the upcoming official carrier unlocked version.
ChazzMatt said:
Just be aware it may not qualify for LG's bootloader unlock code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A little confused here on that. I don't plan to root or flash over it's original setup. Though I'd like any security updates, and Android 8 when it's available. (especially since it will get security updates too)
Is the bootloader just something you'd need if you're going to run another rom on the hardware? thanks!
Ipadlazy said:
A little confused here on that. I don't plan to root or flash over it's original setup. Though I'd like any security updates, and Android 8 when it's available. (especially since it will get security updates too)
Is the bootloader just something you'd need if you're going to run another rom on the hardware? thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, without root you would still get all the security updates, and firmware updates (like to Oreo).
But I prefer root because it lets me really OWN my phone. I can uninstall or install whatever I wish, I don't need carrier or manufacturer permission. With root, I can use Adaway to block ads (I'm aware there's a fairly good non-root method of blocking ads, but I prefer Adaway).
Many devs not only create custom ROMs with lots of extra features, but some devs even make "stock" firmware-based ROMs that are debloated and tweaked -- and always come with the latest security patches.
Or even keeping "stock" (factory) firmware, with root and Xposed framework installed (which works on Nougat now), you can use "Gravity Box"; it's a "module" that pretty much simulates a custom ROM. You can tweak the look of the status bar, you can change how the "recent" apps interface looks -- lots of stuff that makes the phone YOUR phone. Or you add single-purpose modules to add or tweak specific stuff.
Yes, you can download apps to do a few cool things, but without root apps don't have "system" access the way that is needed sometimes. "Root" is the same thing as being "administrator" of your PC. Without admin rights, you are just a "user", you don't really "own" it. You don't really control it.
XDA excels in dev work, and I like to take advantage of that.
bwilborn said:
Why don't you just order it from T-Mobile if you're worried about getting Band 71 support? I ordered mine on Thursday (the 5th), paid for overnight shipping, and had it by noon on Friday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the carrier locked version will not have root or bootloader unlock. see this reply from @ChazzMatt:
ChazzMatt said:
Root has come to the U.S. version of the LG G6, if you buy the U.S. carrier unlocked version, which is also eligible for bootloader unlock. LG G6 US997. Don't buy carrier branded versions.
Here's the OFFICIAL LG bootloader unlock list:
http://developer.lge.com/resource/mobile/RetrieveBootloader.dev?categoryId=CTULRS0703
See the U.S. LG G6 US997?
Here's even a custom ROM specifically for the LG G6 U.S. carrier unlocked version:
[ROM][UNOFFICIAL][7.1.2]Dirty Unicorns 11.6[US997]
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g6/development/rom-dirty-unicorns-11-6-t3659943
So, same deal with the LG V30. Wait for the carrier unlocked version, which comes a few weeks after the carrier stores fleece the suckers.
I'm predicting mid-November.
Whenever it's released (carrier unlocked version), it will also be on that bootloader unlock list and can be rooted.
Apparently the carrier unlocked U.S. version which is bootloader unlock eligible will be LG V30 US998.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1357369-REG/lg_lgus998_ausasv_lg_v30_us998_64gb.html?email=
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sprke said:
I just purchased the US998 from US Cellular for use on T-Mobile. It was carrier unlocked out of the box and works perfectly on T-Mobile. I definitely want band 71 so I'm wondering how long it will take to know if this model can be boot loader unlocked and rooted..and also if band 71 can be enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if the T-Mobile version has the Sprint bands. The T-Mobile spec page is missing 25 & 26. Sounds like there's a merger coming.
My question is since LG announced bootloader unlock, with that can't we just flash the tmobile radio to the US998 and Band 71 becomes usable? or does boatloder unlock not free all the partitions like on HTC phones, with the S-on situation?
Also doesn bootloader unlock void warranty? my assumption is yes.
Thanks,
drago10029 said:
My question is since LG announced bootloader unlock, with that can't we just flash the tmobile radio to the US998 and Band 71 becomes usable? or does boatloder unlock not free all the partitions like on HTC phones, with the S-on situation?
Also doesn bootloader unlock void warranty? my assumption is yes.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With root you probably can. When we get bootloader unlock. We'll know then.
Sent from my official carrier unlocked LG V30+ US998
ChazzMatt said:
With root you probably can. When we get bootloader unlock. We'll know then.
Sent from my official carrier unlocked LG V30+ US998
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah lol i going back and forth between writing questions and researching phone info. forgot to remove that one lol
Hello Guys,
I recently got an Unlocked LG V30+ (H930DS) from India. I wish I had done some research on the supported bands before buying this one.
It doesn't work with T-Mobile here in US. So just wanted to check if anyone knows if this is a hardware limitation, or can be solved by flashing T-Mobile version of LG V30+ ROM when it's available?
Thanks,
Zuhaib
NerdPad said:
Hello Guys,
I recently got an Unlocked LG V30+ (H930DS) from India. I wish I had done some research on the supported bands before buying this one.
It doesn't work with T-Mobile here in US. So just wanted to check if anyone knows if this is a hardware limitation, or can be solved by flashing T-Mobile version of LG V30+ ROM when it's available?
Thanks,
Zuhaib
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, did you try the hidden menu (whatever is the code) to check bands ?
Hi, any update on this topic? I have the same phone (H930DS) and will move to the US in the next months.
If not T-Mobile, will I be able to use LTE from any of the other big providers?
The code to access the hidden menus for the 930DS is: *#546368#*930# Isn't there an EU version of the 930DS as well?
For info, I have the HKG H930DS. When I use the code, access "Field Test" and then "LTE Band Selection", I can see the following bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40
I did not click on any of the bands.
Nevertheless it is a little confusing because on Amazon's spec sheet it says: "4G bands: LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 28(700), 38(2600), 39, 40, 41. (Doesn't have 3G/4G/LTE in the US)"
This lack of LTE bands used in the US is backed by bad user ratings.
The website frequencycheck.com states the phone (H930DS) has bands 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 46.
Also there it say T-Mobile US uses the bands 2, 4, 12, 66 and 71 for LTE, hence it supports two out of five (B4 and B12).
HeartFist said:
For info, I have the HKG H930DS. When I use the code, access "Field Test" and then "LTE Band Selection", I can see the following bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40
I did not click on any of the bands.
Nevertheless it is a little confusing because on Amazon's spec sheet it says: "4G bands: LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 28(700), 38(2600), 39, 40, 41. (Doesn't have 3G/4G/LTE in the US)"
This lack of LTE bands used in the US is backed by bad user ratings.
The website frequencycheck.com states the phone (H930DS) has bands 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 46.
Also there it say T-Mobile US uses the bands 2, 4, 12, 66 and 71 for LTE, hence it supports two out of five (B4 and B12).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is actually common across all V30/V30+ models. The only real difference between one model number to another is the slight variation in the actual software in the device. You should be able to enable and use those bands without issue. The poor user reviews are solely by people who, in a lot of cases, that don't research their device before buying it. Whether or not UMTS is enabled though, just like CDMA, is just a guess until confirmed by someone who owns the device and tries to use it.
NerdPad said:
So just wanted to check if anyone knows if this is a hardware limitation, or can be solved by flashing T-Mobile version of LG V30+ ROM when it's available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be able to do this for now, if ever: the dual-SIM variants aren't (and haven't been in the past) on the bootloader unlock list.
Not much testing has been done so far on enabling "unsupported" bands; the phone is still expensive (less so via carrier subsidies), so people are tending to get the variant that they know will work on the network they want instead of chancing it. I've seen talk of the phone getting "stuck" on a band selected in the test menu, though, so try at your own risk.
For official band support, probably no better source than the FCC test report.
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It does indeed have a couple of T-Mobile's bands, as well as partial GSM/UMTS/GPRS...but Frequencycheck says it doesn't actually support any UMTS protocols. The significance of this is beyond my knowledge of cellular stuff, but it seems like lack of protocol support = no way to communicate with the tower (literally can't speak the same language) = no way to negotiate connections ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What is it doing when you insert your SIM card, just flat-out refusing to connect to towers/displaying "No Service"?
Septfox said:
You won't be able to do this for now, if ever: the dual-SIM variants aren't (and haven't been in the past) on the bootloader unlock list.
Not much testing has been done so far on enabling "unsupported" bands; the phone is still expensive (less so via carrier subsidies), so people are tending to get the variant that they know will work on the network they want instead of chancing it. I've seen talk of the phone getting "stuck" on a band selected in the test menu, though, so try at your own risk.
For official band support, probably no better source than the FCC test report.
It does indeed have a couple of T-Mobile's bands, as well as partial GSM/UMTS/GPRS...but Frequencycheck says it doesn't actually support any UMTS protocols. The significance of this is beyond my knowledge of cellular stuff, but it seems like lack of protocol support = no way to communicate with the tower (literally can't speak the same language) = no way to negotiate connections ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What is it doing when you insert your SIM card, just flat-out refusing to connect to towers/displaying "No Service"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the HK LG v30+ and i do get 3g service; quite fustrating that i didn't do much research since when i got my HK S7 it worked perfectly fine with tmobile lte
jcsww said:
This is actually common across all V30/V30+ models. The only real difference between one model number to another is the slight variation in the actual software in the device. You should be able to enable and use those bands without issue. The poor user reviews are solely by people who, in a lot of cases, that don't research their device before buying it. Whether or not UMTS is enabled though, just like CDMA, is just a guess until confirmed by someone who owns the device and tries to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this mean H930DS will work in Canada as well? since it shows all the correct band. Saw a few having problems to work with t-mobile.
sundoggy said:
Does this mean H930DS will work in Canada as well? since it shows all the correct band. Saw a few having problems to work with t-mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the bands are there and enabled, then yes. The only thing that limits which bands can be used is the software and firmware in the device. The issues with T-Mobile might be related to WCDMA/UMTS being locked out in that model. VoLTE though should be possible on bands 2, 4, and 12 though and T-Mobile's WiFi Calling should also work. Canada is similar but also depends on the carrier. Freedom would have the WCDMA/UMTS issues that T-Mobile users are probably having issues with. Rogers/Fido/Chatr however would more than likely be the best fit. Bell/Virgin and Telus/Koodo should be fine as well, but the Rogers network still has GSM service.
NigPod said:
I also have the HK LG v30+ and i do get 3g service; quite fustrating that i didn't do much research since when i got my HK S7 it worked perfectly fine with tmobile lte
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get 3G, but no 4G/LTE?
Are you in an urban or rural area?
Did you access the hidden menu and clicked on one of T-Mobile's bands (B4 or B12) for testing purposes?
NigPod said:
I also have the HK LG v30+ and i do get 3g service; quite fustrating that i didn't do much research since when i got my HK S7 it worked perfectly fine with tmobile lte
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What SIM slot are you using for your SIM? Have you tried the SIM in the other SIM slot to see if that makes any difference?
Edit: One other thing to consider is you need the correct APN settings to access LTE. Has anyone even bothered to check the APN settings and even tried manually enterting them for the US and or Canadian providers they are trying to use?
jcsww said:
What SIM slot are you using for your SIM? Have you tried the SIM in the other SIM slot to see if that makes any difference?
Edit: One other thing to consider is you need the correct APN settings to access LTE. Has anyone even bothered to check the APN settings and even tried manually enterting them for the US and or Canadian providers they are trying to use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
by the way @jcsww have you start using your T-mobile version V30+ in Canada yet? Working well?
sundoggy said:
by the way @jcsww have you start using your T-mobile version V30+ in Canada yet? Working well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works well. I haven't really had any time to compare it to the H933 because it is back in the box ready to be exchanged. In and around Scarborough-Guildwood, signal strength is in and around 91db.
From the box of a H930DS, it doesn't look like B2/4/12 are included, most likely it won't work with T-Mobile/AT&T LTE.
ccval said:
From the box of a H930DS, it doesn't look like B2/4/12 are included, most likely it won't work with T-Mobile/AT&T LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The box doesn't list all of the bands supported. Check the engineering menu to see what it actually supports.
jcsww said:
The box doesn't list all of the bands supported. Check the engineering menu to see what it actually supports.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But from what I've reading, from this thread and others, people who bought the H930DS said they don't get LTE with T-Mobile and only 3G?
ccval said:
But from what I've reading, from this thread and others, people who bought the H930DS said they don't get LTE with T-Mobile and only 3G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
APN settings are important! When lookin at a lot of reviews on Amazon in regard to any product. Most people are stupid! I don't own a 930DS but I have seen screenshots of the LTE Band menu. It supports more bands than are listed on the box that are enabled and working. Asian models will not come with US APN settings and even if they do, I would delete them and enter them manually. Has anyone actually tried that? I have no idea but most consumers just stick their SIM in things and expect them to work, regardless of where it came from.
jcsww said:
APN settings are important! When lookin at a lot of reviews on Amazon in regard to any product. Most people are stupid! I don't own a 930DS but I have seen screenshots of the LTE Band menu. It supports more bands than are listed on the box that are enabled and working. Asian models will not come with US APN settings and even if they do, I would delete them and enter them manually. Has anyone actually tried that? I have no idea but most consumers just stick their SIM in things and expect them to work, regardless of where it came from.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think they should already have APN settings configured, otherwise, without it, they wouldn't be able to get 3G/any service at all?
But yeah, it would be nice if someone that has a H930DS can confirm. I am trying to buy one but would really appreciate if someone can confirm before doing so. Don't want to get one and have no LTE signals.
ccval said:
I would think they should already have APN settings configured, otherwise, without it, they wouldn't be able to get 3G/any service at all?
But yeah, it would be nice if someone that has a H930DS can confirm. I am trying to buy one but would really appreciate if someone can confirm before doing so. Don't want to get one and have no LTE signals.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understandable. I haven't been able to find any locally in Canada or in western Virginia. Then again, western Virginia is fairly rural and I don't want to purchase one online. The screens are too much of an issue on these devices to risk buying one from Ebay, Swappa, Kijiji, and other online sites.
I know Amazon.com has them but I am up in Canada right now and don't want to pay import fees and taxes to bring it to Canada. Amazon may also have a great return policy but I would hate to have to send it back because of screen banding and color uniformity issues. In Toronto, band 2 and 4 are very common and would be easily enough to test with my T-Mobile USA SIM while roaming. Any of the stores I have been in at Pacific Mall don't carry them.
Hi,
I'm new here, and honestly know very little of the stuff I'm asking about, but here it goes, hopefully someone will be able to explain it to me. My phone (iPhone 5S) just broke, but I had been looking to buy a new one for some time anyway, and seriously considering the LG V30 or the V35 ThinQ, mostly cause of the headphone jack and Quad DAC + wide angle camera. The problem is, I'm looking to buy a refurbished one on eBay.com (US site), since I've found some really good deals there (unlike on European eBay sites), but I'm afraid of carrier issues I may encounter, specially considering I live in Spain and most of these seem to be "unlocked" phones from the US that were once network connected or something along those lines. I really don't know anything about how these things work, what unlocked / IMEI / GSM / CDMA / whatever means, and we don't usually have carrier exclusive phones over here, so I'm kind of worried about it all. I'm also afraid of how this is going to affect updates, since I know LG is already pretty slow but I've heard US carriers add another layer of complications when it comes to that, though seeing as these are supposed to be unlocked this shouldn't be a problem? No idea really.
For example, right now I'm looking at this LG V35 ThinQ deal on eBay, great price, plus the seller allows returns, has really good reputations and feedback, even on the product itself. However, isn't the V35 supposed to be AT&T exclusive? It says it's unlocked, but I don't know what to make of it. Should I just try and find a deal on the V30 instead? Even some of those seem to be carrier connected somehow though, like I see there's different models of the V30, some are HXXXX, others VOXXXX, etc. I guess if I could choose I'd prefer the V35, but it's not even available on Europe, and that makes me even more wary.
Hopefully some of you can shed some light on this and tell me whether buying from eBay is a good idea in my case, or what I could do instead. Honestly coming from Apple all of these different models for the same phone are making things very confusing, but I really wanna make the switch, since both the LG V30 and the V35 seem to be really great phones (despite how huge they are... hope I can get used to it). And by the way, in case that helps, my network in Spain is Movistar.
Thanks, and have a good one.
ChazzMatt is a wealth of knowledge on these matters, but I will tell you what I think. I did a check here for the US998 (V30) on your carrier in Spain: https://www.frequencycheck.com/carr...SV/lg-us998-v30-td-lte-lg-joan/movistar-spain
From what it says, the US998 will work on your carrier without issue. This means you have the choice of getting many variants (eg LS998, VS996, etc) that Chazz showed on the WTF thread (see post 193 here https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76584629&postcount=193 ), hack that phone to US998 (via Frankenstein method) and it will work great. Note, as noted there, don't get an H932 as it's different... in reality, you may be able to get that to work as well these days, but I found it was easier to get LS998 or US998. That's what I did for our two phones - I got 2 US998s. (I converted mine to VS996 for other reasons - you won't need to.)
V35 by itself doesn't tell us enough - you need to know the model number. Please be careful when talking any phones, as the model number is what's most important! Some V35s are apparently V30+, others are different and won't work with any of the steps here... so again, be careful.
I'd say, stick to US998 or LS998, and you should be fine, but let the expert confirm!
Oh yeah, and congrats for leaving the Crapple world! Needless to say I'm not a fan, for many good/real reasons. Many of my friends have switched when they learned how much better things can be on Android.
JayKiddo said:
Hi,
I'm new here, and honestly know very little of the stuff I'm asking about, but here it goes, hopefully someone will be able to explain it to me. My phone (iPhone 5S) just broke, but I had been looking to buy a new one for some time anyway, and seriously considering the LG V30 or the V35 ThinQ, mostly cause of the headphone jack and Quad DAC + wide angle camera. The problem is, I'm looking to buy a refurbished one on eBay.com (US site), since I've found some really good deals there (unlike on European eBay sites), but I'm afraid of carrier issues I may encounter, specially considering I live in Spain and most of these seem to be "unlocked" phones from the US that were once network connected or something along those lines. I really don't know anything about how these things work, what unlocked / IMEI / GSM / CDMA / whatever means, and we don't usually have carrier exclusive phones over here, so I'm kind of worried about it all. I'm also afraid of how this is going to affect updates, since I know LG is already pretty slow but I've heard US carriers add another layer of complications when it comes to that, though seeing as these are supposed to be unlocked this shouldn't be a problem? No idea really.
For example, right now I'm looking at this LG V35 ThinQ deal on eBay, great price, plus the seller allows returns, has really good reputations and feedback, even on the product itself. However, isn't the V35 supposed to be AT&T exclusive? It says it's unlocked, but I don't know what to make of it. Should I just try and find a deal on the V30 instead? Even some of those seem to be carrier connected somehow though, like I see there's different models of the V30, some are HXXXX, others VOXXXX, etc. I guess if I could choose I'd prefer the V35, but it's not even available on Europe, and that makes me even more wary.
Hopefully some of you can shed some light on this and tell me whether buying from eBay is a good idea in my case, or what I could do instead. Honestly coming from Apple all of these different models for the same phone are making things very confusing, but I really wanna make the switch, since both the LG V30 and the V35 seem to be really great phones (despite how huge they are... hope I can get used to it). And by the way, in case that helps, my network in Spain is Movistar.
Thanks, and have a good one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Spain you will need GSM/HPSA/LTE.
V30
For the V30, the US998 (which is officially carrier unlocked model) it has all those plus CMDA (which you don't need, but doesn't hurt). The US998 was designated to be the "universal" V30/V30+ for North America. I'm going to briefly discuss the others just so you sort of know the difference. Others like U.S T-mobile H932, are locked to T-mobile and have an extra LTE band 71, which only T-mobile uses and would not benefit you whatsoever. Others like Verizon VS996 are already unlocked, but often give you a nag screen when rebooting if a Verizon SIM card is not inserted; as if you didn't know. The Canada H931 is carrier unlocked. The Sprint LS998 is carrier locked to Sprint, and the only way to carrier unlock it is to "Frankenstein" convert it to US998 (or some other carrier unlocked model like Canada H931 or Verizon VS996). AT&T H931 is carrier locked, but can be carrier unlocked by Frankenstein converted to a carrier unlocked model. With Frankenstein, whatever North American V30 phone you are flashing BECOMES the other model. You will see some eBay dealers incorrectly saying the US998 is locked to U.S. Cellular (a carrier here in the U.S.); this comes from them not knowing what they are selling. Yes, SOME US998 were sold by U.S. Cellular, but the US998 was the designated "open market" carrier unlocked model for North America and no US998 is carrier locked whatsoever. LG also sold the US998 through authorized 3rd party retailers like B&H Photo. They were all carrier unlocked, designed to be used with any carrier.
The other caveat is some of these are 64GB (VS996, H931, H933) while others have 128GB available like the US998 V30+ and the LS998 V30+. US998 also comes in 64GB model, but you might as well buy the V30+ (128GB).
The reason I mention "Frankenstein" is because there was a huge glut of Sprint LS998 V30+ on the market, and we found you could buy one and easily convert it to US998 V30+. I bought two and did that. No longer locked to Sprint, has fastboot flash commands and easily rooted (you probably don't care about that), and much less money than "native" US998 V30+ at the time. Dealers quickly figured this out also. In fact, most "new" or "mint" US998 V30+ you see on eBay for very good price are probably former LS998 V30+. That's OK.
So, it's no longer necessary to buy an LS998 V30+ to convert to US998 V30+, as the dealers have probably done it for you (or at least converted to the Nougat stage).
For your purposes, US998 (especially the V30+) is probably what you want of the North America V30 world. I have not mentioned the "European" H930 (64GB) or H930G (128GB) or the dual SIM H930DS (128GB), as importing those to U.S. for eBay sellers here make them more expensive.
http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US998-Unlocked-v30
US998 V30/v30+/V30S
CDMA: 800 MHz CDMA
2G GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS (HSPA):850/900/1900/2100 MHz
4G LTE Bands: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12(17)/13/20/25/66
UPDATES
You will probably have to manually update the phone through software known as LGUP. New firmware images called KDZ are posted publicly here and on other websites. Takes 5 minutes, whenever you want, and you simply choose "Upgrade" mode. LG releases updates every 2 or 3 months.
You will also hear about checking for updates via LG Bridge (another piece of LG software), but it's better to just download the KDZ you need and use LGUP than to constantly have to fire up LG Bridge and check.
If you bought a "native" US998 V30+, you possibly would receive OTA updates. However, between the three native US998 V30 & V30+ I own, I've only received ONE OTA update in 1.5 years, and that was early on. So, don't depend on that.
You probably don't care about bootloader unlock and rooting, but for those who do ALL V30/V30+/V30S variants can be bootloader unlocked and rooted. That cannot be said for V35.
________
V35
Basically 2018 updated version of the 2017 V30. Snapdragon 845 vs Snapdragon 835. Has 6GB RAM, while most of the V30 (except for the V30S) has 4GB RAM. However, I've owned several V30/V30+ and none are slow. Downside: comes in 64GB, whereas many V30 have 128GB internal memory. Yes, allegedly there is a V35+ (128GB) but I've only seen it mentioned on websites and can not actually buy one here in the U.S. or even over the internet.
The main U.S. V35 variant is sold by AT&T and is ostensibly locked to AT&T. Meaning that only AT&T network SIM cards will work. However, if the dealer says it's "unlocked", then mean they have entered the code to carrier unlock the phone, which AT&T allows when the phone is paid in full. You can usually buy with confidence these "unlocked" phones. One way or another, they have been unlocked. (Any "carrier unlocked" LS998 V30+ you see online means it's been converted to US998 to be carrier unlocked.)
While AT&T was the first to sell the LG V35, it's also now sold other places as well, like for Google Fi and some Latin American countries. So, it's no longer an AT&T exclusive and never was. AT&T was just the first. Having said that, the ones for the least price will probably be the AT&T V35 models. As long as it's advertised as "unlocked", you are OK.
UPDATES
For AT&T LG V35 (even if carrier unlocked) you can only get updates while connected to AT&T SIM card or through one AT&T-affiliated MVNO called Red Pocket. (If there are other AT&T-affiliated MVNOs that allow updates, it's not been confirmed.) This is the same situation if you buy an AT&T H931 V30. AT&T wants you to be their customer and they do not release KDZ to the general public, nor allow updates to be sent to non-AT&T customers.
However, this is only true if you keep the AT&T firmware (AWM). For V35, you can cross-flash to the OTHER V35 firmware (ULM) and be up to date. This would again use LGUP. I just bought an AT&T V35 and the previous owner (who still uses V30+ as his daily phone and is active in this forum) cross flashed it to non-AT&T firmware to debloat it and to update it. I will continue to use my own (rooted) US998 V30+ as my daily phone, but this V35 looks interesting.
For others who may be reading this, right now (end of March 2019) the only way to bootloader unlock and root the V35 is to buy one from China with that already done. However there is no TWRP yet for V35. @runningnak3d is working on all that.
Here are the frequencies you will get with the LG 35 Google Fi version. I assume if you cross flash the AT&T V35 you will receive all these bands if you don't have all these bands? I'm asking in the V35 forum to confirm this assumption... With the V30, when you cross flash North America variants to Frankenstein them, it converts them totally to the other variant.
LG V35 Google Fi bands
https://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-V350ULM-Google-Fi-v35-thinq
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz;
UMTS (HSPA): 850/900/1700/2100 MHz;
LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/66
__________
CONCLUSION
I'm more comfortable recommending the US998 V30+ (128GB) to you right now, but an "unlocked" AT&T V35 (64GB) (especially if cross flashed to Google Fi firmware) would work well for you -- if the 64GB storage size (plus microSD card) fits your lifestyle and you don't care about bootloader unlocking/rooting (at least right now).
* With US998, you will have to update via LGUP using "Upgrade" mode once you download the KDZ. That's not hard.
* With AT&T V35, if you want updates, you will have to cross flash to different firmware first, then continue to update via LGUP using "Upgrade" mode. That's not hard either, but it depends on how comfortable you are doing stuff like that.
schwinn8 said:
ChazzMatt is a wealth of knowledge on these matters, but I will tell you what I think. I did a check here for the US998 (V30) on your carrier in Spain: https://www.frequencycheck.com/carr...SV/lg-us998-v30-td-lte-lg-joan/movistar-spain
From what it says, the US998 will work on your carrier without issue. This means you have the choice of getting many variants (eg LS998, VS996, etc) that Chazz showed on the WTF thread (see post 193 here https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76584629&postcount=193 ), hack that phone to US998 (via Frankenstein method) and it will work great. Note, as noted there, don't get an H932 as it's different... in reality, you may be able to get that to work as well these days, but I found it was easier to get LS998 or US998. That's what I did for our two phones - I got 2 US998s. (I converted mine to VS996 for other reasons - you won't need to.)
V35 by itself doesn't tell us enough - you need to know the model number. Please be careful when talking any phones, as the model number is what's most important! Some V35s are apparently V30+, others are different and won't work with any of the steps here... so again, be careful.
I'd say, stick to US998 or LS998, and you should be fine, but let the expert confirm!
Oh yeah, and congrats for leaving the Crapple world! Needless to say I'm not a fan, for many good/real reasons. Many of my friends have switched when they learned how much better things can be on Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply, kinda been busy with things and didn't want to just write a short reply, and thanks a lot for the "Frequency Check" website link, didn't know that was a thing I could use. I do worry about the message below the page though, saying "A matching frequency band does not guarantee coverage. There may be additional network or device software restrictions that prevent a device from connecting on a certain frequency. Additionally, certain bands may only be available regionally within a country." Does that mean I can't really be to sure it'll work even if it's supposed to be compatible? I wouldn't really want to take the risk it if that's the case.
Also, I've checked the LG V35 with my carrier Movistar, since preferably I'd choose it over the V30, and if I'm not selecting the wrong model (the eBay listing I'm looking at says model number is LM-V350A on the title, then V350AWM in the details, guessing that's the LMV350AWMH model from the Frequency Check website? Not one model number matches exactly for some reason), it says it only supports GSM, not UMTS or LTE. I don't know if this is any relevant, but whenever I used data on my old phone, the top side of the screen where you see the network name, Wi-Fi connection, etc. (at least on iOS not sure about Android) usually said LTE (or 3G if there wasn't any 4G connection available), so I'm guessing that means the LG V35 won't work well with my carrier Movistar. Kind of a bummer to be honest. Maybe I'm just getting confused at what all of these things actually mean, but if I understand correctly, if my carrier uses LTE and the V35 doesn't support any of its LTE bands that just means I wouldn't be able to use data, right? I don't really understand why these type of restrictions need to be put in place, if the phone is capable of 4G connection it should just work in every country with whichever carrier.
ChazzMatt said:
In Spain you will need GSM/HPSA/LTE.
V30
For the V30, the US998 (which is officially carrier unlocked model) it has all those plus CMDA (which you don't need, but doesn't hurt). The US998 was designated to be the "universal" V30/V30+ for North America. I'm going to briefly discuss the others just so you sort of know the difference. Others like U.S T-mobile H932, are locked to T-mobile and have an extra LTE band 71, which only T-mobile uses and would not benefit you whatsoever. Others like Verizon VS996 are already unlocked, but often give you a nag screen when rebooting if a Verizon SIM card is not inserted; as if you didn't know. The Canada H931 is carrier unlocked. The Sprint LS998 is carrier locked to Sprint, and the only way to carrier unlock it is to "Frankenstein" convert it to US998 (or some other carrier unlocked model like Canada H931 or Verizon VS996). AT&T H931 is carrier locked, but can be carrier unlocked by Frankenstein converted to a carrier unlocked model. With Frankenstein, whatever North American V30 phone you are flashing BECOMES the other model. You will see some eBay dealers incorrectly saying the US998 is locked to U.S. Cellular (a carrier here in the U.S.); this comes from them not knowing what they are selling. Yes, SOME US998 were sold by U.S. Cellular, but the US998 was the designated "open market" carrier unlocked model for North America and no US998 is carrier locked whatsoever. LG also sold the US998 through authorized 3rd party retailers like B&H Photo. They were all carrier unlocked, designed to be used with any carrier.
The other caveat is some of these are 64GB (VS996, H931, H933) while others have 128GB available like the US998 V30+ and the LS998 V30+. US998 also comes in 64GB model, but you might as well buy the V30+ (128GB).
The reason I mention "Frankenstein" is because there was a huge glut of Sprint LS998 V30+ on the market, and we found you could buy one and easily convert it to US998 V30+. I bought two and did that. No longer locked to Sprint, has fastboot flash commands and easily rooted (you probably don't care about that), and much less money than "native" US998 V30+ at the time. Dealers quickly figured this out also. In fact, most "new" or "mint" US998 V30+ you see on eBay for very good price are probably former LS998 V30+. That's OK.
So, it's no longer necessary to buy an LS998 V30+ to convert to US998 V30+, as the dealers have probably done it for you (or at least converted to the Nougat stage).
For your purposes, US998 (especially the V30+) is probably what you want of the North America V30 world. I have not mentioned the "European" H930 (64GB) or H930G (128GB) or the dual SIM H930DS (128GB), as importing those to U.S. for eBay sellers here make them more expensive.
http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US998-Unlocked-v30
US998 V30/v30+/V30S
CDMA: 800 MHz CDMA
2G GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS (HSPA):850/900/1900/2100 MHz
4G LTE Bands: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12(17)/13/20/25/66
UPDATES
You will probably have to manually update the phone through software known as LGUP. New firmware images called KDZ are posted publicly here and on other websites. Takes 5 minutes, whenever you want, and you simply choose "Upgrade" mode. LG releases updates every 2 or 3 months.
You will also hear about checking for updates via LG Bridge (another piece of LG software), but it's better to just download the KDZ you need and use LGUP than to constantly have to fire up LG Bridge and check.
If you bought a "native" US998 V30+, you possibly would receive OTA updates. However, between the three native US998 V30 & V30+ I own, I've only received ONE OTA update in 1.5 years, and that was early on. So, don't depend on that.
You probably don't care about bootloader unlock and rooting, but for those who do ALL V30/V30+/V30S variants can be bootloader unlocked and rooted. That cannot be said for V35.
________
V35
Basically 2018 updated version of the 2017 V30. Snapdragon 845 vs Snapdragon 835. Has 6GB RAM, while most of the V30 (except for the V30S) has 4GB RAM. However, I've owned several V30/V30+ and none are slow. Downside: comes in 64GB, whereas many V30 have 128GB internal memory. Yes, allegedly there is a V35+ (128GB) but I've only seen it mentioned on websites and can not actually buy one here in the U.S. or even over the internet.
The main U.S. V35 variant is sold by AT&T and is ostensibly locked to AT&T. Meaning that only AT&T network SIM cards will work. However, if the dealer says it's "unlocked", then mean they have entered the code to carrier unlock the phone, which AT&T allows when the phone is paid in full. You can usually buy with confidence these "unlocked" phones. One way or another, they have been unlocked. (Any "carrier unlocked" LS998 V30+ you see online means it's been converted to US998 to be carrier unlocked.)
While AT&T was the first to sell the LG V35, it's also now sold other places as well, like for Google Fi and some Latin American countries. So, it's no longer an AT&T exclusive and never was. AT&T was just the first. Having said that, the ones for the least price will probably be the AT&T V35 models. As long as it's advertised as "unlocked", you are OK.
UPDATES
For AT&T LG V35 (even if carrier unlocked) you can only get updates while connected to AT&T SIM card or through one AT&T-affiliated MVNO called Red Pocket. (If there are other AT&T-affiliated MVNOs that allow updates, it's not been confirmed.) This is the same situation if you buy an AT&T H931 V30. AT&T wants you to be their customer and they do not release KDZ to the general public, nor allow updates to be sent to non-AT&T customers.
However, this is only true if you keep the AT&T firmware (AWM). For V35, you can cross-flash to the OTHER V35 firmware (ULM) and be up to date. This would again use LGUP. I just bought an AT&T V35 and the previous owner (who still uses V30+ as his daily phone and is active in this forum) cross flashed it to non-AT&T firmware to debloat it and to update it. I will continue to use my own (rooted) US998 V30+ as my daily phone, but this V35 looks interesting.
For others who may be reading this, right now (end of March 2019) the only way to bootloader unlock and root the V35 is to buy one from China with that already done. However there is no TWRP yet for V35. @runningnak3d is working on all that.
Here are the frequencies you will get with the LG 35 Google Fi version. I assume if you cross flash the AT&T V35 you will receive all these bands if you don't have all these bands? I'm asking in the V35 forum to confirm this assumption... With the V30, when you cross flash North America variants to Frankenstein them, it converts them totally to the other variant.
LG V35 Google Fi bands
https://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-V350ULM-Google-Fi-v35-thinq
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz;
UMTS (HSPA): 850/900/1700/2100 MHz;
LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/66
__________
CONCLUSION
I'm more comfortable recommending the US998 V30+ (128GB) to you right now, but an "unlocked" AT&T V35 (64GB) (especially if cross flashed to Google Fi firmware) would work well for you -- if the 64GB storage size (plus microSD card) fits your lifestyle and you don't care about bootloader unlocking/rooting (at least right now).
* With US998, you will have to update via LGUP using "Upgrade" mode once you download the KDZ. That's not hard.
* With AT&T V35, if you want updates, you will have to cross flash to different firmware first, then continue to update via LGUP using "Upgrade" mode. That's not hard either, but it depends on how comfortable you are doing stuff like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK wow, you really do know your stuff, sorry for the late reply but I've been busy and there's a lot here to take in, and I've still got more than a few questions if that's OK, not that you haven't explained a lot already but your post arose new questions. First of all, you say if a seller says the phone is unlocked (either carrier or factory unlocked, right? Same thing I'm guessing), then I can buy it confidently, does that mean I don't need to worry about different bands being compatible with the specific model I'm buying, since it's unlocked anyway? Or does that just mean that the phone can work with another carrier's SIM card, but data might not work then? As I've said, if I can choose I'd prefer the V35 over the V30 (don't care about the storage since I can use an SD card anyway, processor and RAM are my priority), but it seems like that one has more issues with compatibility, both in terms of updates and also after having checked the Frequency Check website schwinn8 recommended, though again, I assume if the phone is unlocked none of the bands compatibility issue matter. In any case, I'll send you a private message with a link to the seller page for the V35 deal I'm looking at right now, since I'm new in the forum and it won't let me post links like that on here, and hopefully you could help me figure out if that could work with Movistar's data connection and its LTE bands, if that's not too much to ask. I also need to say that I'm planning on buying the phone while in the US, since I'm taking a long trip there starting next month and was planning of taking advantage of that so I don't have to pay for the massive shipping costs to Spain. However, that means that basically I won't be able to make sure data works using the phone in Spain until I come back, and by then the 30-Day Return period will have ended, so I just need to know for sure that it'll work, that's why I'm asking about the whole unlocked thing and what it actually means.
Apart from that, I kinda need to ask about differences between a few other things you commented on. Basically, I don't understand much about what cross flashing, the Frankenstein method, or bootloader unlocking/rooting consist in. I don't know what the risk associated with each of this processes is or what each is looking to accomplish (I do understand Frankenstein allows you to unlock the V30, and change it so it becomes a US998, so to say, as you well explained, but that's about it), but I do know I wouldn't want to do anything that could brick my phone, I had a friend with a Nexus phone who had that happen to him (think he was rooting, not sure though) and I wouldn't trust myself any more than him to do anything that involves that type of risk, since I'd probably mess it up. So please keep that in mind, I understand you might find these type of things somewhat easy to do since you're way more experienced in them, but I'm quite wary about them. So, that being said, in case I end up buying a V35, I would definitely want to cross flash, since I do wish for updates, is that too difficult or risky? If it is I could just buy the V30, hopefully with the Frankenstein method done to it already, so I don't have to change anything myself.
That's pretty much everything I needed to ask, thanks a lot again for your reply, it's much appreciated, especially given my position as a newbie in the Android world.
JayKiddo said:
First of all, you say if a seller says the phone is unlocked (either carrier or factory unlocked, right? Same thing I'm guessing), then I can buy it confidently, does that mean I don't need to worry about different bands being compatible with the specific model I'm buying, since it's unlocked anyway? Or does that just mean that the phone can work with another carrier's SIM card, but data might not work then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier unlocked/SIM card unlocked/network unlocked all mean the same thing. It means you can stick in some other SIM card from some other carrier and the phone will work, IF the phone has that carrier's bands. Many carriers like Sprint or AT&T lock their phones to their networks. They couldn't care less about people who are not their customers, especially people living in other countries. They are not really making money on hardware sales but on monthly phone bills. Carrier unlock removes that restriction of using it on a specific network, but the phone still has to have the necessary bands for the different carrier.
A V30/V30+ converted to US998 WILL be carrier unlocked and I listed the bands above and should work on Spain Movistar.
A V35 the seller CLAIMS is carrier unlocked should also work on Spain Movistar. (Although I just answered a question from someone who was sold an "unlocked" AT&T V30 phone and apparently it was not carrier unlocked after all. So, they will have to Frankenstein it themselves.)
JayKiddo said:
In any case, I'll send you a private message with a link to the seller page for the V35 deal I'm looking at right now, since I'm new in the forum and it won't let me post links like that on here, and hopefully you could help me figure out if that could work with Movistar's data connection and its LTE bands, if that's not too much to ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This site says Movistar uses LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 20:
https://www.imei.info/carriers/spain/movistar/
IMEI.info: LTE bands
B1 (2100)
B3 (1800+)
B7 (2600)
B20 (800 DD)
So, US998 V30/V30+ and carrier unlocked V35 should all work.
JayKiddo said:
Apart from that, I kinda need to ask about differences between a few other things you commented on. Basically, I don't understand much about what cross flashing, the Frankenstein method, or bootloader unlocking/rooting consist in. I don't know what the risk associated with each of this processes is or what each is looking to accomplish (I do understand Frankenstein allows you to unlock the V30, and change it so it becomes a US998, so to say, as you well explained, but that's about it), but I do know I wouldn't want to do anything that could brick my phone.
So, that being said, in case I end up buying a V35, I would definitely want to cross flash, since I do wish for updates, is that too difficult or risky? If it is I could just buy the V30, hopefully with the Frankenstein method done to it already, so I don't have to change anything myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If a V30/V30+ was already cross flashed to US998, you would not NEED to do anything. It will work. However, to get updates at some point in the future, you would want to learn the simple steps to use "Upgrade" mode in LGUP. It doesn't wipe data, it's like manually flashing an OTA.
The US998 KDZ are posted here in the XDA forum and you can also find them on other websites. No one is quite laying out the instructions or posting KDZ like that for the V35 yet.
For the V35, if carrier unlocked, then you would not NEED to do anything. It should work. However, to get updates at some point in the future, you would want to learn how to cross flash to the Google Fi firmware (which will wipe your data at that step), then learn the simple steps to use "Upgrade" mode in LGUP (which will not wipe your date going forward). You would have to download future Google Fi firmware and flash it.
If you buy the V35 here in the U.S. during your visit, you can check if it is carrier unlocked by using a non-AT&T carrier SIM card.
I have a free government phone that uses a Sprint SIM, I almost always have LTE coverage with it, I recently purchased the V30 and it should be here soon. The seller described it as GSM unlocked and I'm aware Sprint isn't GSM, but unfortunately forgot about these things until after I purchased.
Is there any way I'll be able to use the SIM in the V30?
And if it requires any changes, if I need to return the V30 will those changes be noticeable or reversible if so?
Any help is extremely appreciated, thanks!
ResidentKaga said:
I have a free government phone that uses a Sprint SIM, I almost always have LTE coverage with it, I recently purchased the V30 and it should be here soon. The seller described it as GSM unlocked and I'm aware Sprint isn't GSM, but unfortunately forgot about these things until after I purchased.
Is there any way I'll be able to use the SIM in the V30?
And if it requires any changes, if I need to return the V30 will those changes be noticeable or reversible if so?
Any help is extremely appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you cannot use T-mobile H932 with Sprint SIM card. Sprint still uses CDMA bands and has some extra LTE bands not on the H932. You cannot convert the T-mobile H932 to any other variant.
You need to return it and get Sprint LS998 instead. Cool thing about that is all LS998 are actually V30+ (128GB internal memory), while most T-mobile H932 are only V30 (64GB) -- although there are some T-mobile H932 V30+ in existence, which was sold for limited time by T-Mobile.
ChazzMatt said:
No, you cannot use T-mobile H932 with Sprint SIM card. Sprint still uses CDMA bands and has some extra LTE bands not on the H932. You cannot convert the T-mobile H932 to any other variant.
You need to return it and get Sprint LS998 instead. Cool thing about that is most (if not all) LS998 are actually V30+ (128GB internal memory), while most T-mobile H932 are only V30 (64GB) -- although there are some T-mobile H932 V30+ in existence, which was sold for limited time.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
ResidentKaga said:
Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My answer stands.
You may not have that one LTE band in your area or elsewhere, you will need CDMA for some stuff, and Sprint won't accept a T-Mobile H932 on their Network.
You're trying to make this difficult, when I already answered your question.
For other reasons I don't want to go into here, the only people who should get the T-Mobile H932 are actual T-Mobile customers. No matter how much allegedly "SIM card unlocked". One reason being that when updating to new OS firmware, that carrier unlocking is sometimes canceled, and then you have totally useless phone (if you are not a T-Mobile customer).
There's other reasons too.
ChazzMatt said:
My answer stands.
You may not have that LTE band in your area, you will need CDMA for some stuff, and Sprint won't accept a T-Mobile h932 on their Network.
You're trying to make this difficult, when I already answered your question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that I want to make things difficult, I don't want that at all really, it's that I was clinging on to any last piece of hope since I'm in a very time and money sensitive situation currently where I need a better phone to relieve significant issues I have using my current (really bad) I use phone for work, it's holding me back big time. If there truly is nothing I can do I'll have to not only wait for the phone to come, but also need to do what's required to ship the phone back to the ebay seller and wait for my refund, all things I was really trying to avoid.
Hopefully that's more understandable why I replied the way I did, the last thing I wanted to do was burden you as I really do appreciate your advice. I have a couple more questions but it's understandable if you prefer not to assist anymore in this thread Chazz.
I wanted to know what was meant by "You'll need CDMA for some stuff", and about Sprint not accepting the phone. I already have active Sprint service with the SIM I currently use, was hoping to only need to take the SIM out of my current phone, and put it into the H932.
ResidentKaga said:
Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The site is absolutely correct. It may work....in a very limited fashion.
Carriers don't deploy every frequency at every tower, partly for practicality reasons (e.g. out in the middle of nowhere it makes most sense to use CDMA+band 26 to eke the most range possible out of the tower and adding more radios to the tower is a waste of money) and partly licensing (they may own band 25 in one area but not another).
You might very well have a band 41 tower near your house, and it would appear to work properly (maybe even with VoLTE, if Sprint has that and the T-Mobile ROM will connect it). But if you head to work, and the tower nearest there only has band 25, then you're SOL; technically there's "Sprint" coverage, just not what your extremely limited cross-compatibility needs.
When @ChazzMatt was saying that you'll need CDMA for some stuff, it's because carrier models tend to only support their own VoLTE implementation out of the box, and need some work to get it working otherwise. It may not work at all without running the Sprint ROM; same with wifi calling if Sprint supports that.
Without those two, you'll have no voice and texting services, because those are what the CDMA connection is for. Without VoLTE, your LTE band is strictly data-only (though you COULD use IM and voice apps like Google Voice, since those use a data connection).
I think CDMA carriers are still running whitelists anyway, regardless of what the phone supports --- and Sprint is probably taking it a step further by only allowing Sprint and (possibly) Unlocked phones.
Because of the whitelist BS, you ideally need a Sprint model (as the whitelist goes by IMEI, not what software is flashed, although non-Sprint software may have issues with the initial activation so do that before flashing anything). If you're on Sprint itself rather than an MVNO, you might be able to get away with just swapping the SIM into a CDMA-capable phone, but it really depends on how the network is set up.
To summarize:
Because it only supports one band (a data-only band, even), your coverage will be extremely limited
In the same vein as above, unless you can get either VoLTE working over that single band, or wifi calling to connect, you'll have no native voice/text services due to lack of CDMA
Sprint will absolutely not freshly activate a non-Sprint (as indicated by IMEI) phone on their network, maybe not the unlocked US998 model either (however this probably won't stop you from swapping your SIM in)
Ideal course of action is to return your H932 (and eat any return cost, unfortunately...), obtain an LS998, get it activated, then flash whatever ROM you like (if desired)
-
If you're curious as to why anyone would want an H932, given it being harder to unlock and root and being limited strictly to T-Mobile bands: it's the only model that supports band 71, TMO's new-in-2017 long-range band --- the US998 both lacks the band out of the box and is unable to activate it in software for whatever reason.
At a guess, this was due to an exclusivity agreement between LG and TMO in order to sell more carrier models...which is utterly moronic because b71 support was nearly useless in Q4 2017 (barely any sites deployed). But hey, what do I know, I'm just a random consumer and certainly don't know better than LG's fantastic marketing department.
(that last bit was sarcasm, if it wasn't obvious, LG's marketing is a joke/worst-in-industry)
@Septfox Thank you for the thorough and very helpful answer!
Incorrect and Useless information...
I'm making this post because this was not BOLDLY Stated to me. For some this is most definitely common knowledge and shouldn't be regarded as much, However I'm not sure where to attain this type of information without prior understanding of carriers and bands (just something brief for the people who start with a "BAD model" just so they understand it clearly so they don't have to live with BAD coverage especially after they've already rooted and don't know what to do because they don't have a ear to ask , that would be nice )
Here's the site I'll be referencing:
https://www.techwalls.com/lg-v30-model-number-differences/
To start, My phone was a US998 on a Sprint carrier. Which if you don't know what that means let me explain...
*In simple terms it means that your data coverage kinda sucks in certain areas and there's a way to fix it.
If you take a look at the link, you'll see a list of carrier bands and Models!
As you can see US998 is NOT Sprint, it's U.S. Cellular(Which Is actually a carrier! not some dumb Overall phrase)
However US998 was deemed "Close Enough" by some jerkwad in a Best Buy somewhere because it's Only missing 4 bands
The Missing Bands are (if you cared):
CDMA800 (BC10)
LTE900 (B8) LTE700 (B12) LTE850 (B26)
So why does it matter?
Those 3 LTE Bands Gave Me 100% LTE Coverage in my area, The best coverage of my life blah blah blah
So how do I fix It?
Well... I'm not the person to explain that to you yet but here's a link also using a different LS998 rom I assume works, I intend on trying it.
In April Sprint might be going away, so this Might be Useless Information but at least I learned something. :silly:
Is it better or worse that I posted in the wrong thread?
US998 does have B12 (and B17) and CDMA800 (BC0, although not BC10). But the others you mention are indeed missing.
Instructions exist here on XDA how to flash LS998 radio (or maybe it's the entire Sprint ROM) using a dump from an LS998.
Drawd3lle said:
I'm making this post because this was not BOLDLY Stated to me. For some this is most definitely common knowledge and shouldn't be regarded as much, However I'm not sure where to attain this type of information without prior understanding of carriers and bands (just something brief for the people who start with a "BAD model" just so they understand it clearly so they don't have to live with BAD coverage especially after they've already rooted and don't know what to do because they don't have a ear to ask , that would be nice )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was not BOLDY stated to you?
If you are already rooted and don't know this, then you failed to read the WTF Instructions thoroughly. Blame only yourself? See WTF Section 9: EXTRAS - MODEMS, RESTORING VARIANT FIRMWARE, UPDATES TO LATEST FIRMWARE. That section headline is pretty BOLD.
Also see attached screenshot.
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"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
What do you think all Sprint users do after rooting? They use @JohnFawkes TWRP-flashable zip (stock ROM) to go back to Sprint firmware and get back Sprint bands.
_______________
Drawd3lle said:
As you can see US998 is NOT Sprint, it's U.S. Cellular(Which Is actually a carrier! not some dumb Overall phrase)
However US998 was deemed "Close Enough" by some jerkwad in a Best Buy somewhere because it's Only missing 4 bands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WRONG. US998 is LG official North American Open Market. Just like G6 US997, etc. U.S. Cellular was also allowed to sell US998 -- instead of a dedicated model, and the "Open Market" US998 variants were sold by LG through authorized 3rd party retailers -- supplied directly by LG. B&H Photo and Best Buy, among others back in early 2017 and 2018. Had NOTHING to do with U.S. Cellular carrier. However, what's being sold at Best Buy and Wal-Mart right now is probably not native US998. I'll explain that in a minute...
Please do NOT spread misinformation. US998 is NOT (only) "U.S. Cellular". It can be U.S. Cellular. But you need to check your IMEI online -- it will tell you whether you have U.S. Cellular or Open Market -- or something else! All US998 have the same bands and are carrier unlocked. Two US998 variants were sold by U.S. Cellular, but US998 is also the official Open Market variant sold by other retailers -- supplied straight from LG.
The Open Market variants were released MONTHS after the U.S. Cellular variants. The Techwalls article you link was written PRIOR to the US998 Open Market variants being released. While it's a decent resource, it's outdated.
ALSO many US998 V30+ -- even those bought in big box stores like Walmart and Best Buy -- are ACTUALLY former Sprint LS998 V30+. They were surplus LS998 V30+ bought by wholesalers and converted to US998, now sold by Big Box stores. They were NEVER NEVER sold by U.S. Cellular nor were even official Open Market US998. Again, check your IMEI online to see. I bought a US998 V30+ from Wal-Mart a year ago and it was fomer LS998 V30+. All packaged nice and new. The info on outside of the box said LS998 but the firmware inside was US998 Nougat -- and it was being sold by Wal-Mart.com as "US998".
CHECK IMEI
https://swappa.com/esn
Whereas, all US998 (native or converted) are carrier unlocked, but LS998 firmware is locked to Sprint.
There are several US998 variants. For instance, US998 V30S was NOT sold by U.S. Cellular -- was only designated Open Market. The Open Market 64GB US998 can obtain the official LG bootloader unlock code, but the U.S. Cellular variants cannot. (Doesn't matter, we have WTF bootloder lock exploit.)
For Nougat and Oreo all the US998 actually ran the same firmware -- but for Pie there is a difference between U.S. Cellular firmware and the not-yet-released Open Market Pie KDZ firmware. That's why the current US998 Pie 30b is so wonky.
_______________
Drawd3lle said:
The Missing Bands are (if you cared):
CDMA800 (BC10)
LTE900 (B8) LTE700 (B12) LTE850 (B26)
So why does it matter?
Those 3 LTE Bands Gave Me 100% LTE Coverage in my area, The best coverage of my life blah blah blah
So how do I fix It?
Well... I'm not the person to explain that to you yet but here's a link also using a different LS998 rom I assume works, I intend on trying it.
In April Sprint might be going away, so this Might be Useless Information but at least I learned something. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is all explained in the WTF instructions, how to get the Sprint LTE bands back. You are repeating two year old news. If you are rooted, then you failed to thoroughly read the WTF instructions?
_____________
TheDannemand said:
US998 does have B12 (and B17) and CDMA800 (BC0, although not BC10). But the others you mention are indeed missing.
Instructions exist here on XDA how to flash LS998 radio (or maybe it's the entire Sprint ROM) using a dump from an LS998.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He just failed to read information already written in this forum, especially if he's rooted through the WTF method. Section 9 tells how to return to carrier firmware of your choice -- with affiliated LTE bands.
Plus it irks me when people claim US998 is "U.S. Cellular". LG merely let U.S. Cellular sell some US998 instead of having a dedicated model for them (like Verizon VS996, Sprint LS998 or AT&T H931). They are a regional carrier (not even in all 50 states) and it was cheap way to let them think they are important.
Reporters who reviewed the LG V30 -- PRIOR TO OFFICIAL RELEASE -- were given the Open Market US998 by LG. They weren't given "U.S. Cellular" phones. They were given phones that work on all carriers. US998 Open Market variants. Yet, LG then let the carriers have 3 months of uninterrupted sales before releasing the Open Market US998 in Q4 2017.
If the Open Market US998 is missing some Sprint bands, blame LG. But US998 owners can get those Sprint bands back. It's specifically mentioned in the WTF Instructions... Which I wrote TWO YEARS ago and keep updated. Sprint users have to TEMPORARILY convert LS998 to US998 for bootloader unlock and root. They I supply links instructions on how to convert back to Sprint firmware/bands if that's what they want. Or if you have an US998, you can CONVERT to LS998. See attached screenshot straight from WTF Instructions. Sprint US998 owners who never had LS998 also use that method to get LS998 LTE bands on native US998.
TheDannemand said:
US998 does have B12 (and B17) and CDMA800 (BC0, although not BC10). But the others you mention are indeed missing.
Instructions exist here on XDA how to flash LS998 radio (or maybe it's the entire Sprint ROM) using a dump from an LS998.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoops... Well apparently all of it was bad so yeah..
ChazzMatt said:
Was not BOLDY stated to you?
If you are already rooted and don't know this, then you failed to read the WTF Instructions thoroughly. Blame only yourself. See WTF Section 9: EXTRAS - MODEMS, RESTORING VARIANT FIRMWARE, UPDATES TO LATEST FIRMWARE. That section headline is pretty BOLD...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm an idiot here, and I'm not helping anyone. I have no idea how to do any of the work you guys are doing and I'm sorry. I honor you guys and I shouldn't of said anything and should've asked for help instead of ignorantly posting some crap on the internet and probably dis-credited myself completely because I couldn't follow the work neatly laid out in-front of my sleep deprived self who isn't qualified to do anything (Insomnia) .
It was called [Dumbly Expained], I ironically find it quite annoying and should've just went to bed.
I had no reason to post but I'm a bipolar manic, and I hate it.
Sorry.
Drawd3lle said:
I'm an idiot here, and I'm not helping anyone. I have no idea how to do any of the work you guys are doing and I'm sorry. I honor you guys and I shouldn't of said anything and should've asked for help instead of ignorantly posting some crap on the internet and probably dis-credited myself completely because I couldn't follow the work neatly laid out in-front of my sleep deprived self who isn't qualified to do anything (Insomnia) .
It was called [Dumbly Expained], I ironically find it quite annoying and should've just went to bed.
I had no reason to post but I'm a bipolar manic, and I hate it.
Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I was just upset you called US998 as "U.S. Cellular" when it's more accurately the "North Open Market" variant which was also sold by U.S. Cellular. Some US998 -- like V30S -- were ONLY North American Open Market model, and never sold by U.S. Cellular. All the other major carriers got their own models (Verizon VS996, AT&T H931, Sprint LS998, Canadian carriers had to share the H933). So, minor player U.S. Cellular got to pretend they had their own variant -- the US998, then three months later LG released it to authorized 3rd party retailers as the North American Open Market variant. Plus later they released the US998 V30S which was NEVER sold by U.S. Cellular.
I have to refute that it's U.S. Cellular variant often and it gets tiring.
You can check IMEI online to see specifically what you have. Many US998 now sold online and in big box stores are actually former LS998. All US998 (native or converted) are carrier unlocked and have the same bands.
2) Also that the instructions in WTF Section 9 tell about this Sprint LTE bands, and how to get them back. It's not news. The Sprint TWRP flashable zips have been created forever by dev JohnFawkes who is a Sprint customer himself, down in the ROMs section.
I tell people to read the WTF instructions thoroughly, but few do.
3) This phone was released in 2017 and there's (almost) nothing we don't know about it. Most everything has been documented in this forum.
To get your LTE bands back, merely flash JohnFawkes 30A Sprint firmware:
LG V30 Sprint LS998-30A ROM
ChazzMatt said:
1) I was just upset you called US998 as "U.S. Cellular" when it's more accurately the "North Open Market" variant which was also sold by U.S. Cellular. Some US998 -- like V30S -- were ONLY North American Open Market model, and never sold by U.S. Cellular. All the other major...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was my fault, I deserved it. I really shouldn't have tried to 'outshine the master' on that one, it's kind of nice feeling like the idiot for once except maybe I got a shot at redemption.
I'm kinda interested in this field If you're curious...This is was what happened in my brain because
I did read The WTF! post entirely and saw:
"For Sprint customers ONLY, download and install @JohnFawkes's TWRP-flashable stock "ROM", based on latest LS998 firmware to get the extra Sprint LTE bands back."
And I was like "Pftt.. Why would I need that? my phone is working like normal on US998 like it's supposed to" Well I was wrong to think that because "back" actually meant Upgrade to me under my circumstances bc I started on US998 Not knowing that my Open Market US998 Stock phone had limited bands to begin with.. So Maybe it is a reasonable mistake? And maybe I was right, at least kinda
And this:
"You would want to use these carrier-branded stock firmware TWRP-flashable "ROMs" below if the variant you need has bands or features that the "converted" US998 phone does not."
Doesn't mean much for a user originating from a US998 phone because they'd be getting extra features by switching, so the only piece of information I had was the band numbers which I didn't understand and still don't completely. So once Again
BOLDLY Stated means explaining that for Originating US998 users, They Can Unlock extra bands by installing their Carrier's variant ROM, And I didn't get that Clearly stated to me so I don't feel so wrong anymore.. I'm sorry I'm a little giddy because I'm not a complete idiot and My argument Still holds value. I'm a little happy duckling and I would bite back if I didn't respect you so much. So what do you think? Am I wrong? I reread it like 3 times, I'm 90% sure that this specific circumstance which is indeed unique isn't so Clearly explained.. Sorry if I sounded witty, I didn't mean to but You know... It was supposed to be humorous in the first place because it is dumb you have to explain this complicated nonsense but it was useful just not accurately explained by me because I don't know any better. I'm a programmer with like 2-3 years experience I'm 18 and haven't explored this field much. I think it's cool, just I don't know where to start and making dumb post like this felt like something, but I got scolded for it because I'm not an expert. And maybe I should've stated that but idk.
Drawd3lle said:
It was my fault, I deserved it. I really shouldn't have tried to 'outshine the master' on that one, it's kind of nice feeling like the idiot for once except maybe I got a shot at redemption.
I'm kinda interested in this field If you're curious...This is was what happened in my brain because
I did read The WTF! post entirely and saw:
"For Sprint customers ONLY, download and install @JohnFawkes's TWRP-flashable stock "ROM", based on latest LS998 firmware to get the extra Sprint LTE bands back."
And I was like "Pftt.. Why would I need that? my phone is working like normal on US998 like it's supposed to" Well I was wrong to think that because "back" actually meant Upgrade to me under my circumstances bc I started on US998 Not knowing that my Open Market US998 Stock phone had limited bands to begin with.. So Maybe it is a reasonable mistake? And maybe I was right, at least kinda
And this:
"You would want to use these carrier-branded stock firmware TWRP-flashable "ROMs" below if the variant you need has bands or features that the "converted" US998 phone does not."
Doesn't mean much for a user originating from a US998 phone because they'd be getting extra features by switching, so the only piece of information I had was the band numbers which I didn't understand and still don't completely. So once Again
BOLDLY Stated means explaining that for Originating US998 users, They Can Unlock extra bands by installing their Carrier's variant ROM, And I didn't get that Clearly stated to me so I don't feel so wrong anymore.. I'm sorry I'm a little giddy because I'm not a complete idiot and My argument Still holds value. I'm a little happy duckling and I would bite back if I didn't respect you so much. So what do you think? Am I wrong? I reread it like 3 times, I'm 90% sure that this specific circumstance which is indeed unique isn't so Clearly explained.. Sorry if I sounded witty, I didn't mean to but You know... It was supposed to be humorous in the first place because it is dumb you have to explain this complicated nonsense but it was useful just not accurately explained by me because I don't know any better. I'm a programmer with like 2-3 years experience I'm 18 and haven't explored this field much. I think it's cool, just I don't know where to start and making dumb post like this felt like something, but I got scolded for it because I'm not an expert. And maybe I should've stated that but idk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have somewhat a point, if you are a brand new V30 owner who bought a US998 expecting it to work on Sprint.
1) Until relatively recently -- sometime last year, I don't have time to look it up now when we discovered the policy change -- you could NOT activate a US998 on Sprint network. Because of those missing LTE bands. Sprint would not allow US998 Open Market on their network, only LS998 (their own branded phone), in spite of the US998 Open Market V30/V30+/V30S ostensibly being made to work on all carriers in North America.
Yes, the US998 variants don't have "all" the bands of all the North American carriers, but US998 is supposed to have the major ones (CDMA, HSPA, LTE) to work on all U.S./Canada carriers.
There are three "minor" AT&T LTE bands missing. I have AT&T and don't notice.
LTE band 66 is missing for T-mobile; but the dev who rooted the T-mobile H932 now uses a US998 with no issues on T-mobile, etc.
Yet, for Sprint also missing three missing LTE bands is NOT minor...
And as a result of that, from the very beginning Sprint would not allow US998 to be activated on their network. So, Sprint users would have to buy LS998 off eBay (or carrier store, but eBay was cheaper), activate it, THEN convert to US998 for bootloader unlock and root. The @JWnSC Sprint thread you link is also thread I link in WTF, besides the JohnFawkes Sprint firmware TWRP-flashable zip thread. Because until dev JohnFawkes (who happens to be a Sprint customer) started making those Sprint stock ROMS (it's magic, I tell you because Sprint doesn't publicly release KDZ) Sprint users had to flash back LTE bands using @JWnSC instructions onto their "converted" LS998 to US998. Now, they merely flash JohnFawkes stock ROM to get LS998 firmware, modem and LTE bands.
For those uses who didn't read carefully and converted to US998 first before "activating" their LS998 on Sprint, @JWnSC also made a "return for warranty" zip that also works as "return to LS998 for activation" zip. It flashes stock firmware and wipes out TWRP. (It doesn't re-lock the bootloader, but that's not necessary.) Users could then activate their native LS998 with Sprint, and then use WTF to reinstall TWRP and root again.
Besides Sprint firmware, you had to have native LS998, as Sprint checked both IMEI and firmware. US998 (or any other V30) was forbidden. If you peruse older threads, you will see lots of admonitions for Sprint users to buy ONLY LS998 and to make sure they activate first before going through the WTF instructions. THEN flash to JohnFawkes Sprint stock ROM (TWRP-flashable zip) to get the Sprint LTE bands back.
But 2nd half of 2019 (last year) sometime, now Sprint DOES allow native US998 to be activated on Sprint network.
2) I can't easily change WTF Instructions to reflect that change of status. I'm up again the character limit of one post. Anything I add, I have to delete something else. So, by saying Sprint users need to get those bands "back" I would hope that conveys to people they are missing something important -- even if they didn't start out with LS998 to begin with. I link to @JWnSC excellent thread and I link to JohnFawkes ROM thread, for them to read more. My advice also quotes a Sprint user about VoLTE -- which I think you need Sprint firmware for. You can tell me if this is true or not, but if you started with US998, to get Sprint VoLTE you may still need to flash the Sprint firmware? (I know that's true for AT&T, but I don't care about AT&T VoLTE. I stay on US998 firmware on purpose.)
I know WTF post seems very lengthy but believe me, every word and comma has been parsed a hundred times. I use URL shorteners and I offload sidebar instructions (like Frankenstein or downgrading to early Oreo) to other posts. Last summer, I had to re-write the WTF Instructions for Pie (if bootloader is already unlocked) and yet also still work for Oreo, so other explanatory verbiage had to be further condensed. I still leave my "intro" in, to compare V30 against other 2017/early 2018 phones, because that's my personal commentary against Samsung, OnePlus, and Google decisions at the time -- and how the V30 was the Best Phone of the Year -- and still pretty good even in 2020. People say I should cut that entirely, but it's my thoughts -- the only place I can share my views.
ChazzMatt said:
You have somewhat a point, if you are a brand new V30 owner who bought a US998 expecting it to work on Sprint.
1) Until relatively recently -- sometime last year, I don't have time to look it up now when we discovered the policy change -- you could NOT activate a US998 on Sprint network. Because of those missing LTE bands. Sprint would not allow US998 Open Market on their network, only LS998 (their own branded phone), in spite of the US998 Open Market V30/V30+/V30S ostensibly being made to work on all carriers in North America.
Yes, the US998 variants don't have "all" the bands of all the North American carriers, but US998 is supposed to have the major ones to work on all carriers. There are three "minor" AT&T LTE bands missing. I have AT&T and don't notice. LTE band 66 is missing for T-mobile; the dev who rooted the T-mobile H932 now uses US998 with no issues, etc.
Yet, for Sprint those three missing LTE bands are not minor... And as a result from the very beginning Sprint would not allow US998 to be activated on their network. So, Sprint users would have to buy LS998 off eBay (or carrier store, but eBay was cheaper), activate it, THEN convert to US998 for bootloader unlock and root. The @JWnSC Sprint thread you link is also thread I link in WTF, besides the JohnFawkes Sprint firmware TWRP-flashable zip thread. Because until dev JohnFawkes (who happens to be a Sprint customer) started making those Sprint stock ROMS (it's magic, I tell you because Sprint doesn't publicly release KDZ) Sprint users had to flash back LTE bands using @JWnSC instructions onto their "converted" LS998 to US998. Now, they merely flash JohnFawkes stock ROM to get LS998 firmware, modem and LTE bands.
For those uses who didn't read and converted to US998 first before "activating" their LS998 on Sprint, @JWnSC also made a "return for warranty" zip that also works as "return to LS998 for activation" zip. It flashes stock firmware and wipes out TWRP. (It doesn't re-lock the bootloader, but that's not necessary.) Users could then activate their LS998 with Sprint, and then use WTF to reinstall TWRP and root again.
Besides Sprint firmware, you had to have native LS998, as Sprint checked IMEI and firmware. US998 (or any other V30) was forbidden. If you peruse older threads, you will see lots of admonitions for Sprint users to buy ONLY LS998 and to make sure they activate first before going through the WTF instructions. THEN flash back to JohnFawkes Sprint stock ROM (TWRP-flashable zip) to get the Sprint LTE bands back.
But 2nd half of 2019 (last year) sometime, now Sprint DOES allow native US998 to be activated on Sprint network.
2) I can't easily change WTF Instructions to reflect that change of status. I'm up again the character limit of one post. Anything I add, I have to delete something else. So, by saying Sprint users need to get those bands "back" I would hope that conveys to people they are missing something important -- even if they didn't start out with LS998 to begin with. I link to @JWnSC excellent thread and I link to JohnFawkes ROM thread, for them to read more.
I know WTF post seems very lengthy but believe me, every word and comma has been parsed a hundred times. I use URL shorteners and I offload sidebar instructions to other posts. Last summer, I had to re-write the WTF Instructions for Pie (if bootloader is already unlocked) and yet also still work for Oreo, so other explanatory verbiage had to be condensed. I still leave the "intro" in, to compare V30 against other 2017/early 2018 phones, because that's my personal commentary against Samsung, OnePlus, and Google decisions at the time -- and how the V30 was the Best Phone of the Year -- and still pretty good even in 2020. People say I should cut that entirely, but it's my thoughts -- the only place I can share my views.
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It's so cool hearing this all and yes it was a minor detail and most people will figure it out especially if they have a little more background knowledge than I do, it was just something I got caught on being so late/new. I'm learning so much just hearing you lay it out in such a organized matter, you "guys" are legends to this community and I'm considering you Moses but better, you make JohnFawkes sound like he's God's work (because he is) and new discoveries are Amazing because they're thought to be impossible or too hard for others to figure out. I had an idea but to attempt but idk i guess it'd be something good if it's possible and attempt if not. It's Halium, unlocking that would allow non android based roms like Ubuntu touch.. You think it's worth a shot? Just for fun?