LG G4 (Questions, Help) - Buying Soon!

[Broth3rz]

I bought a G4 from Verizon and ended up returning it just now because of the missing features and bloatware.

I'd like a G4 that has no carrier bloatware (carrier unlocked?) have all my features that the phone SHOULD come with and has the boot loader unlocked.

I don't think any version of the G4 has the BL unlocked, unless I'm wrong?

Since the whole Verison thing happened I know I really don't want the VS986 version. So which version should I get? I hear that the T-Mobile H811 is a good version where you can actually uninstall their bloatware and I hear the BL isn't locked on their phones, not sure if this is true...

I hear a lot of talk about the H815, but I know it has many versions. And it has a international version.

What I want is the G4, no bloatware from ANY carrier, which I guess means it would be carrier unlocked, and ALL the features the phone comes with, FM Radio, Themes, etc. Oh course it needs to work with 4G Cricket and Verizon.

I'm told you can change the network mode and the APN (forget what its called) I think its called to work with ANY carrier.

Is there ANY model of the G4 that has it's boot loader unlocked?
If so, which ones?
If not, are we able to unlock them manually yet?
Which carrier disable features, just Verizon?
Do all carriers have their own bloatware on the G4 or just Verizon?
Whats different from the US to the International version or the H815?

As long as I have no bloat, works with Cricket, I'd be happy with that, but unlocked BL would be amazing.

So which model is best to go with? Should I snatch up this H815? I heard the H811 is good? What model should I get?

Once this thread helps me choose which one to buy, I'm going to buy it like now. Just wanting to buy the best one. Thanks!!

 

[anon(782252)]

Only two models with boatloader unlocked...T-Mobile H811 and the international H815. However there are different H815's so you would have to get the correct one.

Do you want an unlocked boatloader to flash roms and have custom recovery?

If you just need to remove bloatware, being rooted can do that for you and all major carrier versions have been rooted, plus just about every other model of G4.

 

[Broth3rz]

I originally wanted to root my G4 to get rid of all the Verizon and Google bloatware. I was going to uninstall it all or just install a custom ROM. Then I was told that to root my device I'd have to get the BL unlocked.

When I tried to do anything root wise or uninstall lets say something from Amazon, it said I didn't have root access. I heard something about turning the phone off and holding volume up and power but I never got to try it. Your saying that they are all rooted but this wasn't my case and it seems everyone is trying to root and BL unlock them.

As long as I can get a G4 with NO carrier bloatware and works with 4G from Cricket, I'm happy. I called T-Mobile and they said you can actually uninstall all their bloatware, not just disable it, I'm guessing that's because their BL is unlocked. But if I buy from them I have to have their service for like 40 days or something before they will carrier unlock it so I can go to cricket, even if I buy the phone outright.

It would be awesome if I could just like download Android 5.1 and reinstall it into the phone like PC and Windows so I'd have no bloat. I'm not sure which model to get really but it sounds like you can't uninstall bloatware unless the BL is unlocked so that leaves the 2 versions you listed. So which of the other 2 should I get?

Just not sure what to do. Hm.. Shouldn't all G4's work with Cricket? Cricket uses ATT services now and I know you can change the Network Mode and APN, so I'm sure all G4's would work and receive 4G, right?

I really wanna buy it but just so unsure since there are so many different versions, but it seems it's down to these 2, which would be better?

 

[anon(782252)]

Ugh...the forum app just dumped my reply.

The international is probably your best bet if all bands work on cricket.

You don't need boatloader unlock to get root.

The root thread to follow is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3164765

It's the currently only known exploit.

You can remove or freeze any app with root.

 

[anon(782252)]

Also, I'm not sure how much you can disable on T-Mobile without root. I'm on Sprint and was able to use Debloater Tool to pretty much disable everything I needed.

 

[Broth3rz]

Well, I wanna use Cricket Wireless. The G4's should work with them. Only reason I'd wanna do TM is to get the phone that's has the BL unlocked.

The man at TM said you can disable their bloatware but you can actually uninstall it also, and since you said it has the BL unlocked I'm guessing that's why you can uninstall them off the bat.

What does the H815 have over the H811? I guess since the H815 is unlocked carrier wise and I can go straight to Cricket instead of waiting 1-2 months to get it carrier unlocked from TM? Is that the only benefit? Not sure what the International part does to differ from the H811?

 

[RedOctobyr]

From what I understand, an international model will not work on Verizon's network. So the take-away, to me, is to not simply assume that all current-generation phones can work on all networks. I don't know about AT&T vs Cricket. But I'd find out for sure, vs making assumptions and buying an incompatible device.

To remove bloatware, I believe you simply need root, not an unlocked BL. Root is available currently for many models, and does not require an unlocked bootloader:
[ROOT] TMO/VZW/ATT/SPRINT/INTL Root your LG … | LG G4 | XDA Forums

You can disable (not fully-remove) most bloatware using the Debloater tool, even without root:
Bloatware Tool | LG G4 | XDA Forums

The TMobile version sounds like it's ahead of most carrier-specific models, with the unlocked bootloader, and the ability to use TWRP (I don't really know yet what that is, since it's not available yet with my Verizon model ). This should presumably make custom ROMs easier. Once released, those might be able to get you closer to a "clean", debloated experience.

But as far as 811 vs 815, I don't know, sorry. This thread may be worth a look:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/lg-g4/536640-h811-vs-h815-t-mobile.html

 

[anon(782252)]

Well, I wanna use Cricket Wireless. The G4's should work with them. Only reason I'd wanna do TM is to get the phone that's has the BL unlocked.

The man at TM said you can disable their bloatware but you can actually uninstall it also, and since you said it has the BL unlocked I'm guessing that's why you can uninstall them off the bat.

What does the H815 have over the H811? I guess since the H815 is unlocked carrier wise and I can go straight to Cricket instead of waiting 1-2 months to get it carrier unlocked from TM? Is that the only benefit? Not sure what the International part does to differ from the H811?

I can pretty much guarantee he wasn't telling you about boatloader unlock or root when talking about disabling apps. He was probably just saying that the tmobile apps aren't system apps and could be uninstalled. That I have no idea since I don't have T-Mobile.

 

[anon(782252)]

I originally wanted to root my G4 to get rid of all the Verizon and Google bloatware. I was going to uninstall it all or just install a custom ROM. Then I was told that to root my device I'd have to get the BL unlocked.

When I tried to do anything root wise or uninstall lets say something from Amazon, it said I didn't have root access. I heard something about turning the phone off and holding volume up and power but I never got to try it. Your saying that they are all rooted but this wasn't my case and it seems everyone is trying to root and BL unlock them.

As long as I can get a G4 with NO carrier bloatware and works with 4G from Cricket, I'm happy. I called T-Mobile and they said you can actually uninstall all their bloatware, not just disable it, I'm guessing that's because their BL is unlocked. But if I buy from them I have to have their service for like 40 days or something before they will carrier unlock it so I can go to cricket, even if I buy the phone outright.

It would be awesome if I could just like download Android 5.1 and reinstall it into the phone like PC and Windows so I'd have no bloat. I'm not sure which model to get really but it sounds like you can't uninstall bloatware unless the BL is unlocked so that leaves the 2 versions you listed. So which of the other 2 should I get?

Just not sure what to do. Hm.. Shouldn't all G4's work with Cricket? Cricket uses ATT services now and I know you can change the Network Mode and APN, so I'm sure all G4's would work and receive 4G, right?

I really wanna buy it but just so unsure since there are so many different versions, but it seems it's down to these 2, which would be better?

I'm just curious...did you actually attempt to root your device or just try to use an app that requires root to work?

 

[Broth3rz]

I did try the Low Effort Root method. And it got stuck on 90% and said not to turn phone off or unplug USB and it was scary so I didn't try the other main link you posted since I'm scared of screwing it up. But I downloaded some apps for task managing and trying to uninstall anything that was a "system" app, like Amazon MP3, etc. It said I needed root access. If something went wrong I don't have anyone to really help.

TM guy said you can actually uninstall the apps / bloatware. You say TM version has the BL unlocked so I was just guessing since the BL is unlocked, I'm able to actually uninstall the bloat?

Anyways, I'm not sure how to check with Cricket to see if the phone works, I've contacted them and asked what Bands and Frequencies they use and it seems to match up with what the G4 says.

The TM version I'd have to wait to get it unlocked where the H815 seems to be carrier unlocked so I can go straight to cricket, though I'm not sure to buy the US vs International. It's all just kinda confusing with these many models and no LG support. Every time I call LG I get someone from a third world country that I can't understand and refuse to let me talk to a manager and just wants to look stuff up and not send me to anyone who really knows about this phone.

I know I need it soon and it seems to be between these 2 versions I guess. Any other data you can give me would be great. I see the H815 allover eBay.

 

[anon(782252)]

Sounds like you got pretty lucky if it got stuck and you didn't end up with a brick.

You might try contacting LG USA on Twitter and see if they can help answer some questions. I've read countless issues about phone support from LG. As much as I love the G4 and my washer and dryer, I probably wouldn't ever bother calling them.

I'm not sure where or if you can buy the H815 where you could return it if it didn't work with all the bands on cricket.

At least with the H815 if it didn't work with all the bands you could sell it immediately and probably not be out to much money. With the H811 you would have to wait 45 days just to find out if it will work with cricket.

 

[Broth3rz]

Yeah, it kinda freaked me out since I don't have anyone really helping like on a messenger or anything like that, that would be devoted to really helping me. You've been the best one I've found that's trying to help.

It seems like either phone would be good to have since you said both the H811 and the H815 have unlocked boot loaders.

But as you said I've have to wait the 45 days to get the H811 carrier unlocked to try with Cricket. So I guess my best choice is the H815.

Now I heard there is a International and US version of the H815, not sure if this is true or the difference between them. I know there are many other versions like the H815T and such. But I'm sure those are for other countries. Now if we can find some good information on all the H815's so I can decide which one I need to buy and what's going on with the US and International versions, that would be amazing. So once I find out which one I need I guess my best bet is to go to eBay and buy the H815.

The sellers on Amazon for the H815 say they got their phone from ATT, Verison, but its carrier unlocked, not sure if they have bloat, so not sure whats going on there.

Worse comes to worse I can return the H815 if it don't work with Cricket though I believe it will.

Anyways if you know anymore information on the different version of the H815 please let me know! I need to do more research today and buy it ASAP!