How to Unlock Bootloader on LG G5 Install TWRP and Root

Good news comes to the LG G5 H850 European variant as the bootloader unlock procedure is now available for the device. This means that you can now setup a custom recovery like TWRP and eventually flash available or compatible custom ROM. For instance, stock based custom ROMS, CM 12, or flash CM 13 based ROMs and get your device to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with lots of features and functionality. Although there arenโ€™t many ROMS or development available for the LG G5 device currently as the device is still new, but as the bootloader can be unlocked, the development has already started. Courtesy of XDA forum member autoprime, an exploit is available for the LG G5 for the European variant. This is a simple procedure any yes, you need to register on the manufacturerโ€™s website to receive the unlock code. Once you have the code, you are all set to unlock the bootloader using ADB and Fastboot. The procedure has been tested working by some of the G5 users and is only for the H850 variant (European) and comes from LG officially under LG Developer Site page. However, here we have listed additional steps to install TWRP and root your device. The TWRP is the latest versionย 3.0.2-0 and as the device comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out od the box, you will need to flash the latest SuperSU version compatible with Marshmallow.

Summary: First you need to signup for LGโ€™s official Bootloader Unlock program and receive a code. To sign up for the program, you will need your device IMEI number. This 15-digit code can be found on your box, or from About Phone>Settings,the back of the phone or by dialing *#06# via dialler. Secondly, setup or install ADB and Fastboot environment onto a Windows, Linux or Mac machine. Install latest USB drivers for LG. Enter the commands listed in the tutorial and unlock the bootloader. Wait for the phone to reboot. Download and Flash TWRP 2.8.5 via commands in the tutorial. Then download and Flash SuperSU using TWRP (reboot phone and enter recovery mode. hold power, vol up and home) Also, keep a copy of the latest stock firmware available for your device just in case anything goes wrong.

Download Bootloaderย Unlock, TWRP, and Root Files forย LG G5

  • Officialย TWRP for LG G5 H850ย โ†’ Download | File: twrp-3.0.2-0-b3-h850.img [17 MB]
  • Latest SuperSU v65+ โ†’ Download | File:ย UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.65-20151226141550.zip
  • LG USB Driversย โ†’ Windows | Mac

Disclaimer:ย Unlocking the bootloader, rooting or installing a custom recovery will all void your warranty. Even though this has been tested on other LG devices, we wonโ€™t be responsible for anything you do with this. You will lose data, apps, etc., hence backup. Readerโ€™s discretion is advised.

How to Unlock Bootloader onย LG G5 H850

Before yo proceed, go toย LG developers unlock site, register and fill out the unlock bootloader form to generate a bootloader unlock bin file for your device. It will ask you your device ID. Generate it using the following tutorial.

Prerequisites

1.ย Enable USB Debugging on your device. To do so, go to Settings>About Phone> Tap on the Build Number several times until you get a newย Developer Options in theSettings.ย Openย Developer Options and enable USB Debugging from there. Trust the connection by allowing it when you connect it to your PC for the first time.

2. For ADB and Fastbootย download the quick ADB and Fastboot Installer fromย hereย for Windows users or easily setup ADB and Fastboot on Mac OS, Linux or Chrome OS from here. You may also like Universal ADB drivers, Naked ADB drivers.

3.ย Enable OEM unlock on your phone. Activating the โ€œEnable OEM unlockโ€ is necessary for the bootloader unlock. To enable OEM unlock, go to Settings >> Developer options and check Enable OEM unlock.

4.ย Verify your device for compatibility. Also, make sure you have latest device drivers setup on your PC for a better connection. Get it from the official pageย of your device manufacturer.

Installation Instructions

Step 1: Make sure you setup ADB and Fastboot on your PC. Connect your Android device to the PC and trust the connection- tap Yes on โ€œAlways allow from this computerโ€ when you plug in the device into PC for the first time.

Step 2:ย If you have installed the quick ADB installer, launch a command prompt or terminal window anywhere. To do so, just click the address bar and type cmd and press Enter key or hold the shift key on the keyboard and right-click on an empty space and select โ€œOpen command window hereโ€ option to launch a cmd window. [If you use the minimal ADB package, then navigate to the location where you have setup ADB and Fastboot and launch a command prompt or terminal window there]

Step 3: Nowย reboot into the bootloader, issue the following commands. (If ADB does not detect your device try switching your phoneโ€™s USB mode from Charging to MTP or PTP.)

adb reboot bootloader

Step 4: Once in the bootloader, issue the following fastboot command to obtain Device ID :

fastboot oem device-id

Step 5: Fastboot command will return a string. This is the Device ID which is needed to generate your unique unlock key. It should look something like this:

$ fastboot oem device-id
(bootloader)-----------------------------------------------------------------
(bootloader) Device-ID
(bootloader) CD58B679A38D6B613ED518F37A05E013
(bootloader) F93190BD558261DBBC5584E8EF8789B1
(bootloader)-----------------------------------------------------------------

Note: To generate your unlock key, you will need to paste together the 2 lines of output into one continuous string without โ€œ(bootloader)โ€ or white spaces. In the example above, the Device ID would be:

CD58B679A38D6B613ED518F37A05E013F93190BD558261DBBC 5584E8EF8789B1

Step 6: Copy Device ID and IMEI into the LG developers unlock site and hit the confirm button. In a few minutes, the unlock.bin will be emailed to you. Download unlock.bin to your computer.

Step 7:ย While the phone is still in fastboot mode and connected to your PC, go to the location where you have placed the unlock.bin and enter the following command to unlock the bootloader using terminal/cmd. Make sure your terminal points to the location of the file. (This will unlock your phone AND factory reset your device wiping all data!)

fastboot flash unlock unlock.bin

Step 8:ย Thatโ€™s it. Reboot the phone and boot into your unlocked device. Use command:

fastboot reboot

Make sure your device is unlocked properly. You can use the command โ€œfastboot unlock-infoโ€. It should give out โ€œTrueโ€. Once done, you may proceed with TWRP and root procedure.

How to Install TWRP and Root LG G5

Make sure your device is unlocked properly or you may risk brick. Again, go through all the pre-requisites in the above method and connect your device to PC and open a terminal. Download the latest TWRP for your LG G5 H850 and open command prompt where the recovery file is located. Now reboot into bootloader:

adb reboot bootloader

Now flash the TWRP recovery. Use:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.0.2-0-b3-h850.img

For successful TWRP setup, you must first boot directly into TWRP and not back into Android, until after flashing the SuperSU zip file. After flashing TWRP unplug the USB cable and pull the battery. Plug battery back in then boot into recovery which should hopefully load TWRP. To boot into recovery, power off your device completely, press and hold Volume Down key + Power key at the same time for a few seconds. You should see a new TWRP logo.

Update:ย For a detailed TWRP installation tutorial, go to this page.

Once into the TWRP, Flash SuperSU using TWRP (reboot phone and enter recovery mode. hold power, vol up and home) Tap Install and flash. Thatโ€™s it. Like and share us on social media. If you need any help with your device, then comment down below or leave a message in the forums.


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