The kinda-official LG G4 bootloop thread

[AlexApger]

My phone after 6 months today randomly bricked also

 

[Mike Dee]

I also did the IMEI LG warranty check just being curious and it said my phone was 11 days old. I am in UK

That saved me..... just did a check on an IMEI number on Ebay and it comes up as 505 serial

 

[Mike Dee]

Are 506 series suspect as well?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Mike Dee]

Everyone mentions H815 model... What is a VS986

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Mooncatt]

Everyone mentions H815 model... What is a VS986

It's the Verizon branded version of the G4

Are 506 series suspect as well?

I would suspect all of them at this point, but 505-508 series was the most affected.

 

[Scottie15]

My phone also bricked today. Verizon version bought in July 2015. I am pretty pissed about it. At this point, I won't ever purchase another LG product again. Just trying to weight out my options. What would be the different between sending it to LG to fix it or having Verizon send a refurb? Will I still keep my contacts/pics if I send it to LG to fix it?

 

[fonejacker77]

My G4 is currently making its way back to me after being repaired. I've been told the main board has been replaced and it's passed all the checks. Can't wait, my daughter's xperia Z3 compact just seems slow and small (battery life is far better though). Does anyone know of a good fast charger for the G4 in the UK that doesn't cost loads?

 

[Bigboldbri]

Now been 14 days since my LG G4 was taken away for repair following a Boot loop death.

Purchased a Motorola G (2015 - 16gb) two days ago as fed up being phone less. The Motorola cost me about a third of the amount I paid for the LG G4 8 months ago. I am struggling to justify why the LG G4 cost so much. The Motorola G is way better than I expected. Sure, on paper the specs of the Motorola G are no match for the LG, but in practice the G does everything for which I use a smartphone (primarily Runkeeper, Whatsapp, Pocketcasts) equally as well as the LG G4. Battery life seems, possibly slightly better. I use Nova Launcher for the desktop, so little difference there. The settings and especially the notifications work better on the Motorola G and bluetooth seems more stable, especially in regards to switching seamlessly between BT devices - such as headphones to car stereo. Even the screen where I expected most compromise on the Motorola is perfectly clear to my eyes. Responsiveness seems equally fluid on both phones, I never had any problems with stuttering on the LG G4.

When the LG G4 finally returns I am considering selling it and keeping the Motorola. Not an outcome i expected

G4 delivered back today, so took 18 days to be returned.

I have a new IMEI number and the serial number now begins 603 (it was 505).
It is the same body as the screen protector is still attached and I recognise the marks.

 

[Mooncatt]

What would be the different between sending it to LG to fix it or having Verizon send a refurb? Will I still keep my contacts/pics if I send it to LG to fix it?

If you send it to LG or even a local shop for any repair, I'd back everything up and be prepared to get it back completely wiped/reset. This isn't specific to the boot loop issue, but my opinion for any problem that may come up. The reason is because when they get it, there's no telling how extensive the repair will be. So this is just a best practices type suggestion before you send it off.

I'm no fan of refurbish roulette. The good thing about going through Verizon is they'll send you a replacement phone in a couple days or so, minimizing your down time. You're also getting a used phone and I've had more than my fair share of problems when going this route. Going through LG directly, you're probably looking at least a two week turn around. Some people were reporting longer times due to the amount of repairs being handled. I've also seen a few people on here say they got it back from LG and they still had issues

In terms of reliability, it's almost a crap shoot. I'd normally lean towards getting mine repaired so I don't risk getting someone else's problems. Guess it just comes down to if you're willing to wait that long to have yours repaired.

 

[tardus]

If you send it to LG or even a local shop for any repair, I'd back everything up and be prepared to get it back completely wiped/reset. This isn't specific to the boot loop issue, but my opinion for any problem that may come up. The reason is because when they get it, there's no telling how extensive the repair will be. So this is just a best practices type suggestion before you send it off.

I'm no fan of refurbish roulette. The good thing about going through Verizon is they'll send you a replacement phone in a couple days or so, minimizing your down time. You're also getting a used phone and I've had more than my fair share of problems when going this route. Going through LG directly, you're probably looking at least a two week turn around. Some people were reporting longer times due to the amount of repairs being handled. I've also seen a few people on here say they got it back from LG and they still had issues

In terms of reliability, it's almost a crap shoot. I'd normally lean towards getting mine repaired so I don't risk getting someone else's problems. Guess it just comes down to if you're willing to wait that long to have yours repaired.

Does anyone have an expectation that they would ever get their data back when sending in a phone for repair? There's also the privacy and security issues - good to wipe the phone's data if at all possible.

In the US LG has upped their game in regards to turnaround time. Some here have reported quick turnaround times, but I agree carriers are faster, and are more likely to upgrade to expedited shipping. My 505 is still going strong, so no first hand experience with repair.

 

[Mikey47]

Does anyone have an expectation that they would ever get their data back when sending in a phone for repair? There's also the privacy and security issues - good to wipe the phone's data if at all possible.

In the US LG has upped their game in regards to turnaround time. Some here have reported quick turnaround times, but I agree carriers are faster, and are more likely to upgrade to expedited shipping. My 505 is still going strong, so no first hand experience with repair.

When you send the phone to LG you have to sign a form acknowledging that the phone will be completely wiped, so when you get your phone back it is like it was a completely new phone (as far as what is loaded on it). I was able to successfully get LG Backups of my data from both phones and was able to restore rather easily.

I've done this twice for the boot loop issue (mine and my wife's G4s). From the day I sent mine in (a Sunday), I had it back to me a 10 days later and my wife had hers back 8 days later. The biggest problem in the US is that LG warranty repair is shipped via FedEx Ground (which is all they will pay for). I assume if you overnighted it, you'd get it back even faster.

As for a refurbished phone, there is no guarantee that the motherboard has been replaced and you may be opening yourself to the boot loop all over again.

 

[Scottie15]

When you send the phone to LG you have to sign a form acknowledging that the phone will be completely wiped, so when you get your phone back it is like it was a completely new phone (as far as what is loaded on it). I was able to successfully get LG Backups of my data from both phones and was able to restore rather easily.

I've done this twice for the boot loop issue (mine and my wife's G4s). From the day I sent mine in (a Sunday), I had it back to me a 10 days later and my wife had hers back 8 days later. The biggest problem in the US is that LG warranty repair is shipped via FedEx Ground (which is all they will pay for). I assume if you overnighted it, you'd get it back even faster.

As for a refurbished phone, there is no guarantee that the motherboard has been replaced and you may be opening yourself to the boot loop all over again.

Quick question: how were you,able to backup all of your information, more importantly, your contacts? I was able to get a majority of my photos off via Google photos as I knew this would happen eventually. However, can't find a way to get my contacts off and I'm not sure I can have the fun running long enough to do it. Any suggestions?

 

[Mooncatt]

Your Google contacts should automatically sync when you log in to a new/reset phone. If not, go to your account on the Google website. Doesn't matter if you're on a phone or computer, it'll give you an option to download your contact list if you need.

 

[Mikey47]

Quick question: how were you,able to backup all of your information, more importantly, your contacts? I was able to get a majority of my photos off via Google photos as I knew this would happen eventually. However, can't find a way to get my contacts off and I'm not sure I can have the fun running long enough to do it. Any suggestions?

Your Google contacts should automatically sync when you log in to a new/reset phone. If not, go to your account on the Google website. Doesn't matter if you're on a phone or computer, it'll give you an option to download your contact list if you need.

Luckily before our two phones completely gave up the ghost, I was able to perform backups. Mine I was able to do by running with just the back cover off. My wife's I had to resort to the "phone in the freezer" trick.

Hopefully when you created your contacts you created them as Google contacts so they sync with your Google account (and you can use the procedures Mooncat mentioned).

If not, there are apps in the Play Store to backup your contacts, just do a quick search. Make sure when you re import them you make them Google contacts and you won't have to worry about that again.

For everything else, use LG Backup, it does an amazing job. Just make sure you copy the backup to an SD card or off to a computer. When you get your phone back, don't restore your apps from the Play Store, just restore your full LG Backup.

 

[gendo667]

Luckily before our two phones completely gave up the ghost, I was able to perform backups. Mine I was able to do by running with just the back cover off. My wife's I had to resort to the "phone in the freezer" trick.

Hopefully when you created your contacts you created them as Google contacts so they sync with your Google account (and you can use the procedures Mooncat mentioned).

If not, there are apps in the Play Store to backup your contacts, just do a quick search. Make sure when you re import them you make them Google contacts and you won't have to worry about that again.

For everything else, use LG Backup, it does an amazing job. Just make sure you copy the backup to an SD card or off to a computer. When you get your phone back, don't restore your apps from the Play Store, just restore your full LG Backup.

This! All of this! I've performed God knows how many factory resets (cause I'm a dork) on a number of devices. I second all of this.

I just got off work. I've wanted to post this stuff all day. Never found the time/never got back to it. Thanks Mikey!

 

[Guatiao]

Are you by any chance having any troubles streaming music via Bluetooth?

 

[Scottie15]

Welp, I contacted Verizon. But only after i put the phone in the freezer and got it running long enough to extract my contacts on to an SD Card. Verizon is overnighting me a refurb. I asked if they can guarantee the refurb won't have the bootloop issue. They claimed all refurbs are thoroughly inspected by the manufacturer. I just need a phone. I can't go 2 weeks without one. My job depends on it. If my refurb takes a ****, then I'll send it in to LG. One thing I know for sure, I will never purchase another LG products ever again

 

[utahclock]

Well it turns out sprint sent my phone in for repair. Instead of a replacement like i was told. According to shipping information i have lg received it today now to wait even more..

 

[Mikey47]

Welp, I contacted Verizon. But only after i put the phone in the freezer and got it running long enough to extract my contacts on to an SD Card. Verizon is overnighting me a refurb. I asked if they can guarantee the refurb won't have the bootloop issue. They claimed all refurbs are thoroughly inspected by the manufacturer. I just need a phone. I can't go 2 weeks without one. My job depends on it. If my refurb takes a ****, then I'll send it in to LG. One thing I know for sure, I will never purchase another LG products ever again

I wish there was a way to determine if the motherboard was replaced (the fix for the boot loop issue), but as far as I know there is no way to know other than to use it and see if you run into the issue.

One thing I've learned is to run the LG Backup to an SD card every couple of days/once a week just in case.

Regarding not buying an LG phone again, I'll have to think long and hard about it before I do it again. LG sure could have handled this situation much better.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Is it me, or has this thread gained in popularity day after day?