How do I install Stock Android on my LG G3?

[AC Question]

New to Android - Installing Stock Android on LG G3

Hey guys, I just got an LG G3 switching from Windows Phone to Android. I have a couple of questions on getting the stock android experience on my phone. I found some websites which provide instructions on how to root the device and install stock lollipop on the device, any particular methods you recommend I follow?

Would you recommend I follow this process? Furthermore I have a question about the stock android which would be installed. Is this considered the 'official' version of Android? I.e. will I be getting updates as soon as they roll out, similar to how it works on say a Nexus device? Or will I need to reinstall the whole OS everytime I need to update the OS?

I know some of these questions might be rudimentary to you guys, but I never used Android before this, having used BB and WP before this. Also, will the functionality on my phone remain the same? For example will the camera still make use of the laser autofocus? What functionality would be lost if I install stock? Would they be specific software features such as QMemo and knock code for example?

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Warren Sammut]

Re: New to Android - Installing Stock Android on LG G3

I posted the above question BTW, didn't realise I wasn't logged in.

 

[LeoRex]

Re: New to Android - Installing Stock Android on LG G3

"Stock" Android on an LG G3 is basically a version of AOSP (Android Open Source Project... the base of all versions from the Nexus to Samsung's Touchwiz, etc).

Every 'stock' Android build for the LG G3 is developed, built and maintained by third party developers with no affiliation with either LG or Google. They are small teams, sometimes 1 person, building a version of Android that works on the device and then shares it with the community. Once you take that route, it is up to you to keep the device maintained.. in the sense that you kind of break away from LG and their OTA updates no longer apply to your phone. Some custom ROMs have their own, built-in OTA capability, but those are still coming from the 3rd party, not LG.

For the LG G3.. the best method depends on the model.. There are several different models of the G3, based on location and carrier... they all have different software, so it is critical that you only load the versions compatible with your model. Head on over to the LG G3 forums over at XDA Developers. There you will be able to find the EXACT method you should be using, as well as the builds of the various different versions of Android. Some are based on the stock LG Optimus, others on AOSP... there are quite a few and all have their own particular feature set.

I suggest you do a fair bit of reading first.... I own a G3 and there are a few little quirks about going custom that you want to pay attention to.... from making sure you have the software and tools necessary to go back to LG's stock release (if things go wrong) to what you should and should not do.

Also keep in mind that there will be some compromises... Some of the features and functions of the LG G3 are proprietary and custom ROM developers are not able or allowed to include them in their releases... Something as simple as the stock LG camera (which is an EXCELLENT camera by the way) will not be there for AOSP versions (though, there may be some ports by this point). The laser autofocus... I am still trying to find out if that is working 100%... I know the laser fires, but I am not sure if it is used at all. I've even reached out to the developer that first got the G3 camera working in AOSP (the early versions did not have a working camera)... haven't heard back.

QMemo will not be available (it is LG proprietary)... and the knock code will be limited. You will be able to get the 'double tap to wake' features for most of the ROMs... and the tap to sleep will require a third party launcher, like Nova Launcher Prime, to work.