Getting root on LG devices has always been trickier and when you’re on a AT&T or Verizon variant of a LG device things are forever tough to break.

But thanks to user me2151 and several other developers over at xda, getting root on the Verizon and AT&T variants of LG V20 is now possible. The rooting process is pretty involved but if you’re someone like us, you’ll probably enjoy it.

The process starts with replacing the current bootloader with a debug bootloader on your LG V20. This gets you an unlocked bootloader, but beware that trying to lock a debug bootloader may brick your device. Plus, there’s currently no way to go back to stock once you’re on a debug bootloader.

Important note: If you follow the instructions below to root your Verizon or AT&T LG V20, know that there’s no coming back to stock. Currently, there’s NO WAY to get back to the stock factory firmware once you’ve installed the debug bootloader.

Also there are certain issues with this root method. You should be aware of these issues before you go forward. Take a look at the list below:

Bugs/Issues with Verizon and AT&T LG V20 Root

  • AM & FM Radio doesn’t work
  • Higher Boot time
  • No way to revert to stock
  • YouTube app will not work if you update it. If you do, go to Settings » Apps » YouTube and uninstall the update.

If you’re comfortable with the risks involved in rooting Verizon and AT&T LG V20 with a debug bootloader method, go ahead and follow the instructions carefully and to the letter.

Let get started..

Downloads

You’ll need the following files to successfully root your LG V20 on AT&T and Verizon. Download them to your PC first and we’ll then transfer the required files to the device as well when needed.

Since getting root on AT&T and Verizon LG V20 is a lengthy process, we’ll break it into multiple parts. First, we’ll unlock the bootloader, then install TWRP and then finally flash the SuperSU zip to get root access.

How to Unlock bootloader on AT&T and Verizon LG V20

  1. Setup ADB and Fastboot on your PC.
  2. Enable Developer options and USB debugging on your V20.
  3. Download/install a Terminal Emulator app on your V20 from the Play Store.
  4. Connect your LG V20 to the PC. If prompted to allow USB debugging, accept/allow it.
  5. Download the LG V20 root files from the downloads section above and extract/unzip the file to a separate folder on your PC.
  6. Double-click/Run the RUNMEFIRST.bat file. Do NOT close the log window that opens when you run this file.
  7. Double-click/Run the Step1.bat file. This will open another command window with some automated commands starting off right away.
    └ You might get a permission denied error for 2 files: Flatland and Flatland64. This is okay, do not worry about it.
  8. Once you get a shell prompt on the Step1.bat command window, issue the following commands: 
    run-as con
chmod 0777 /storage/emulated/0/*
  9. Now pick up your LG V20, open the Terminal emulator app and issue the following command: 
    id
  10. You should get context=u:r:untrusted_app somewhere in-between the returned values.
    └ If you did not get the untrusted_app context, then you need to start over Step 6 again.
  11. Issue the following command in the terminal emulator app: 
    applypatch /system/bin/atd /storage/emulated/0/dirtysanta
  12. Now watch LOG scroll in the first command window that we opened with RUNMEFIRST dialogue. And wait until it tells you to run the Step2.bat file.
  13. Once told to run Step2.bat file, double-click/run the Step2.bat file from the files we extracted earlier.
  14. Once Step2.bat is done with its job, your V20 will be bootloader unlocked and will automatically boot into bootloader mode.
    └ Verizon LG V20 might vibrate constantly, do not worry about it.

Once bootloader is unlocked on your AT&T or Verizon LG V20, and your device is in bootloader mode, proceed with the TWRP recovery installation instructions below.

How To Install TWRP on AT&T and Verizon LG V20

  1. Make sure your LG V20 is connected to the PC while in bootloader mode.
  2. Double-click/Run the Step3.bat file from the files we extracted in the step-by-step guide above.
    └ This will install/flash the TWRP recovery on your LG V20 and a working boot.img to fix screen issue.
  3. Once TWRP is installed, your device will automatically boot into system.

How to Root LG V20 on AT&T and Verizon with SuperSU

  1. Download and transfer the SuperSU zip from the downloads section above to your LG V20’s internal storage.
  2. Connect your V20 to the PC, open a command window on the PC and issue the following command to boot into recovery mode to access TWRP recovery: 
    adb reboot recovery
  3. Once you boot into TWRP recovery, you’ll be asked for a password, select CANCEL.
  4. Swipe to Allow system modifications.
  5. From TWRP main menu, tap on Install and then select the SuperSU zip file that you transferred to your device in Step 1.
  6. After selecting the .zip file, do Swipe to Confirm Flash on the bottom of screen to begin the flashing process.
    └ Make sure you untick the automatically reboot checkbox while flashing the file.
  7. Once SuperSU zip is flashed, go back TWRP main menu » select Wipe » Format data » type Yes to confirm.
  8. Go back to TWRP main menu, select Wipe » Advanced » tick Dalvik, Data and Cache » and then Slide to confirm wipe.
  9. Reboot phone.

That’s all. Your Verizon or AT&T LG V20 should be rooted now. To verify, download/install any root checker app from the Play Store.

via xda