How to Root the LG G3

Rooting a phone can open up a new word of possibilities, including installing a custom recovery, custom ROM, removing bloatware, and so much more. LG's flagship phone, the G3, has been finicky for developers to root, but it has been accomplished. This article will show you how to root it for your particular device and carrier.


Image titled File_cabinent.png

This article has been marked as historical.


The topic of this article is no longer active, no longer ongoing, or does not exist. (Posted 2020-08-20).


Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

For Verizon Phones Patched Below 10F

  1. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 1
    1
    Download the LG Drivers for the phone. This will allow ADB to function.
  2. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 2
    2
    Enable USB Debugging from the Developer Menu. If you don't already have the Developer Menu enabled, tap Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Mode.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 3
    3
    Download IOroot. You can get it by either Googling it or heading to XDA Developers.
  4. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 4
    4
    Extract the archive to your computer. You should have a folder labeled "ioroot" on your hard disk.
  5. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 5
    5
    Run the corresponding IOroot file for your OS. This will bring you into IOroot.
  6. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 6
    6
    Accept the RSA fingerprint prompt on your phone. This will allow the ADB process to connect.
  7. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 7
    7
    Follow IOroot's instructions. It will automatically complete the root process and will reboot your phone.
  8. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 8
    8
    Download and install SuperSU from the Play Store. This is necessary as it will install su into the /bin folder. After installation, it'll ask you to reboot. Do so.
  9. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 9
    9
    Download a root checker application to verify root access is granted.
    10. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

For AT&T, Korean, and International Versions

  1. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 10
    1
    Download Towelroot. It is an APK file so just simply download it to your phone.
  2. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 11
    2
    Enable Installation from Unknown Sources. This will be under Settings -> Security.
  3. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 12
    3
    Install the Towelroot APK.
  4. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 13
    4
    Run the TowelRoot APK and click "make it ra1n". It should successfully root your phone.
  5. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 14
    5
    Reboot your phone and confirm that it successfully reboots.
  6. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 15
    6
    Download and install SuperSU from the Play Store. This is necessary as Towelroot simply installs the root binaries. After installation, it'll ask you to reboot again. Do so.
  7. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 16
    7
    Download a root checker application to verify root access is granted.
    8. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

For T-Mobile, Sprint, and All Others Below 10R

  1. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 17
    1
    Download the LG Drivers for the phone. This will allow ADB to function.
  2. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 18
    2
    Enable USB Debugging from the Developer Menu. If you don't already have the Developer Menu enabled, tap Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Mode.
  3. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 19
    3
    Connect your phone to your computer.
  4. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 20
    4
    Download PurpleDrake. It will download a zip file. Extract this and open it.
  5. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 21
    5
    Run the PurpleDrake executable. For Linux, don't forget to chmod +x purpledrake_linux.sh.
  6. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 22
    6
    Follow the on-screen prompts. Your phone will ask you to allow a connection with a RSA fingerprint. Click OK on your phone and PurpleDrake will continue.
  7. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 23
    7
    Download and install SuperSU from the Play Store. This is necessary as PurpleDrake doesn't come with it. After installation, it'll ask you to reboot. Do so.
  8. Image titled Root the LG G3 Step 24
    8
    Download a root checker application to verify root access is granted.
    9. Advertisement

Warnings

  • Make sure to make a complete backup of your phone (known as a nandroid backup) before attempting this. There is always the possibility something can go wrong, so you'll want to make sure you can go back to a working version of your ROM in case something goes awry.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Rooting your phone voids any and all warranties associated with your device and/or carrier.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • It is wise to make sure your Version is matched (Below 10F for Verizon phones and below 10R for T-Mobile and Sprint phones). Using these tools on newer versions or mismatched versions can brick your phone and/or cause the rooting method to fail.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • This only works for Android 4.4.x and below. There are different methods for rooting Android 5.x and 6.0.x.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • IOroot (For Verizon versions of the G3)
  • TowelRoot (For AT&T version, Korean model, and international version)
  • PurpleDrake (For all others, including T-Mobile and Sprint)
  • LG Drivers for your PC (If you use Verizon, download the Verizon drivers)

You Might Also Like

Hide Apps on Android
How to
Hide Apps on Android
Remove the Emergency Call Button on Android
How to
Remove the Emergency Call Button on Android
Best Tachiyomi Manga ExtensionsHow to Find the 9 Best Manga Extensions for Tachiyomi
Change Number of Rings on Android
How to
Change Number of Rings on Android
Unlock an Android Tablet
How to
Unlock an Android Tablet
Find Your Phone Number on Android
How to
Find Your Phone Number on Android
See if Someone Read Your Text on Android
How to
See if Someone Read Your Text on Android
Disable Parental Controls on Android
How to
Disable Parental Controls on Android
Check the RAM on Android
How to
Check the RAM on Android
Change the Screen Resolution on Your Android
How to
Change the Screen Resolution on Your Android
Connect Android Phone to Computer
How to
Connect Android Phone to Computer
Fix Insufficient Storage Available Error in Android6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
Access a Shared Folder on Android
How to
Access a Shared Folder on Android
Unroot Android
How to
Unroot Android
Advertisement

References

  1. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2776198
  2. http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-lg-g3/development/root-twrp-root-twrp-tmo-lg-g3-t2821005

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 16,345 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 5
Updated: August 20, 2020
Views: 16,345
Categories: Android
Advertisement