How to Root the LG G4 on Marshmallow Easily

Before you continue with the steps listed in this guide; you acknowledge and accept that any damage to your phone caused by your attempts to root your phone is your own responsibility. Appuals, the (author) and our affiliates will not be responsible for a bricked device, dead SD Card, or anything to do with your phone. If you don’t know what you’re doing; please research and If you do not feel comfortable with the steps, then DO NOT PROCEED.

A lot of root guides on the internet offer help for rooting, but they usually miss out a lot of set up steps that are vital for the rooting process. This guide will help you learn how to root the LG G4 on Marshmallow easily, from factory default to rooted and ready to roll in under an hour. There’s a lot to cover so let’s get right into it! Make sure to follow each step precisely as explained below and you shouldn’t run into any problems.

Step 1 – Find Out Your LG G4 Software Version

For this first step you will need to locate your software version so that you can download the correct kernel. To do this on your G4, head to settings, then ‘About Phone’, then ‘Software Info.’

In the LG G4 we used for this guide, we had a software version of ‘V20d-EUR-XX.’ Make note of this.

Ollie-Software-Version

Whilst you’re here, tap the Build Number option 7 times. This will enable developer options in the settings menu, which will be needed in the following steps

Step 2 – Download The Corresponding ROM

Next, take your software version and take the first two numbers and following letter. In our example(V20d-EUR-XX), it would be 20d.

Your version may be 20a, 20b, 20c or 20d. Follow the link to the correct custom ROM below.

Version 20A

Version 20B

Version 20C

Version 20D

Step 3 – Install ADB and Fastboot

For this step, you will need to install ADB and Fastboot onto your PC.

First though, grab your LG G4, head to settings, then visit the developer options (under system). Ensure developer options is turned on and check the USB debugging box. Press OK to the pop-up prompt.

Ollie-USB-Debugging

First, connect the LG G4 to your PC via USB

Accept the prompt on your LG G4 to download the PC drivers if you haven’t done so already

Once installed, or if already installed, accept the next prompt to allow USB debugging

Ollie-USB-Debugging-2

Next, download Minimal ADB and Fastboot here

Go through the installation Wizard and install in an easy-to-access location

Tick ‘Launch Minimal ADB and Fastboot’ on the last step of the installation

A command prompt will open up as shown below

Ollie-ADB-CMD

Next, type ‘adb devices’ into the command prompt. You should see your device like below if you have correctly followed the steps above. If it did not appear, try repeating the steps above and ensure you have installed the LG PC drivers.

Ollie-Device-ID

Step 4 – Unlock Your Bootloader

For the next step, you will need to unlock your bootloader. This is so that you can install TWRP later and flash the ROM file.

To unlock the bootloader, you will need to visit the LG developer website and create an account.

Head to the bottom of the screen and click ‘Starting Unlocking the bootloader’

Ollie-Unlock-Bootloader

Next, create an account on this page.

Ollie-Register

To register, follow these steps:

Click LGE Developer Member Registration

Accept terms & Privacy

Hit OK

On the next page, fill in the details with a valid email address

Finish the sign-up process & confirm your email

Next, log-in to the LG website

Visit this link again

Scroll to the bottom and click ‘Starting Unlocking the bootloader

For this next step, you will need two pieces of information. The first can be found within the Minimal ADB and fastboot tool.

Ensure your LG G4 is still connected via USB

Open up the ADB and fastboot cmd window and type ‘adb reboot bootloader

Your LG G4 will reset

Once your G4 has reset, type ‘fastboot oem device-id

Right click, mark and highlight the two strings under Device-ID.

Press Ctrl + C and then paste the two strings into a notepad

You should end up with one long single string of numbers and letters.

Type ‘fastboot reboot’ to finish this process

Ollie-CMD-2

Next, when your LG G4 has rebooted, grab your LG G4

Head to Settings > About phone > Status

Make note of your IMEI.

Then, enter the IMEI and device ID into the corresponding boxes on the LG developer website

Select the correct model number for your LG G4.

Click confirm

Ollie-LG-Dev

Visit your email address and download the provided unlock.bin file

Place the unlock.bin file in the directory that contains the fastboot and ADB files

Now open up Minimal ADB and fastboot again

Ensure your LG G4 is still connected by typing ‘adb devices

If connected, type ‘adb reboot bootloader

Your LG G4 will restart

Once restarted, type ‘fastboot flash unlock unlock.bin

Your bootloader will become unlocked and all internal files will be deleted!

Step 4 – Install TWRP & Flash The ROM

Next we will install TWRP for flashing the rooted ROM onto your LG G4.

Visit this link

Download twrp-3.0.2-0-h815

Save the file in the directory that contains ADB and fastboot

Now open cmd prompt and type ‘fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.0.2-0-h815.img

Wait for the cmd prompt to flash the file

Next, type fastboot reboot to reboot your LG G4

Disconnect the LG G4 from the PC

Go through the initial setup process on the device

Head into Settings > About phone

Tap build number 7 times to re-activate developer options

Enable USB debugging

Reconnect the LG G4 to your PC

Transfer the previously downloaded ROM file from step 2 to your LG G4 internal memory

Now open ADB and fastboot once more

In the cmd prompt, type ‘adb reboot recovery

Your LG G4 will now boot into the recovery screen.

From here, tap install, then locate the ROM file you previously moved over. Next, swipe to confirm the flash.

Your device will now install the ROM and will become rooted. To check root access is successful, install the SuperSU application from the Google Play Store and go through the setup process.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.