Rooting and installing Marshmallow AOSP on LG GPad 8.3

[AustinAggie]

Until recently, I'd been pretty happy with my GPad. I also had a Droid Maxx as a phone and preferred the closer to stock Android, but the GPad worked well enough - good size and great screen. Then I got a Nexus 6p. I found out Marshmallow is amazing.. especially Doze, which would mean my Gpad, which is infrequently used compared to my phone, could hang around without needing a charge for days. since the Gpad is still on KitKat.. and no upgrade to anything in sight.. time to root.

This was my first time rooting a device, and I had to piece together several steps from different places on the web, so I figured I'd share the steps that worked for me. As always, YMMV.. I am not responsible if your device is bricked. Also, I did no programming whatsoever - if you like this, please donate to those on XDA who made it happen.

Device: LG Gpad 8.3 V500 (wifi only, not purchased from a carrier)
Android version: started from KitKat 4.4.2 (I think)
LG SW Version: xxxxx20F

Step 1. Root your device

1. Follow the steps in stage 1 (and stage 1 ONLY) in this post on rooting in the AC Gpad forums - http://forums.androidcentral.com/lg-g-pad-8-3-rooting-roms-hacks/480571-rooting-installing-lollipop-aosp-your-lg-g-pad-8-3-a.html.
2. I actually had to do this step twice to get it to work. You will know if it worked in step 3 when you install TWRP - it will complain on launch if your device is not rooted.

Step 2. Download AOSP marshmallow image to device

1. Download the ROM to your computer from this thread on XDA - [ROM][v500][AOSP] Android 6.0 Marshmallow - … | LG G Pad 8.3.
2. Connect the tablet to your computer as a media device.
3. Copy the ROM to the downloads folder

Note: I like to do this step before installing TWRP just in case something goes wrong - the AOSP image is already on the device. Alternatively, I think putting onto a microSD card will also work.

Step 3. Install TWRP Custom Recovery

1. Install TWRP Manager by Jmz software from Google Play on your tablet.
2. Select the Gpad V500 from the devices menu.
3. Select TWRP image 2.8.7.1.
4. Install the custom recovery.
5. Reboot.
6. Note: I listed these steps from memory, I may not have them exactly right.. please edit/clarify as warranted.

Step 4: Boot into recovery and flash the AOSP ROM

1. Boot into recovery mode. Use ADB like in step 1 - adb reboot recovery.
2. You are now in TWRP Recovery. Install the ROM - location should default to download folder.
3. Wipe cache/dalvik.
4. Reboot.
5. You should see a an Android logo, and then you will see the standard "upgrading application x of y dialog" on first boot.
6. If you get this far, you are done!

Note that in step 4 I actually got stuck on the booting Android logo. I had to repeat step 4 a 2 or 3 times times to get it to work. If you are stuck on that boot screen, follow these steps to "unbrick" - [Recovery, Button combo] Booting into recove… | LG G Pad 8.3. Click through the warnings about a factory reset - it will not reset your device.

Hope this helps..

Edit: Do NOT download the TWRP image linked from the Lollipop thread in Step 1. It has a ton of malware.. took me a few days to clean it all off.

 

[smarlie]

I was stuck at step 4, android animation hanging, tried several times without luck.

update: [solved] wipe first before flash the ROM

 

[JIMMM18]

Thanks! Had the same problem and that fixed it for me too!