How to Root the LG G3 (All Versions) (PurpleDrake Method) (Video)
The LG G3 is probably one of the top Android devices out at the moment, I have to agree. But just because it may have a sick QHD display, fast processor, and sleek design, doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Namely, rooting the LG G3 to try and make some changes to LG’s software for starters. Rooting, aka gaining administrative rights on an Android device, is a way to be able to make a ton of customization options for your device that you previously wouldn’t have been able to do.
One good example of this is the new G3Tweaksbox app (powered by XposedMod). After rooting, you can follow this How to Customize the LG G3 UI tutorial I have to use the app to control tons of options, from the status bar, to the launcher, to the LED light color even, there’s a lot to play with. But, before we get to that, you need to root the bad boy. Don’t worry, it’s actually pretty easy. Here’s how.
I. Before You Begin
1. This will work on Windows and Mac.
II. Install the Drivers and the Rooting Toolkit
1. Download the drivers, save them to your desktop and install them:
2. After installing them, download the toolkit from the developers here (and consider donating to them for their efforts):
PurpleDrake Lite Toolkit (for Windows)
PurpleDrake Lite Toolkit (for Mac)
3. Extract the .zip (or .tar.gz for Mac) to your desktop.
III. Root the LG G3
1. Enable USB Debugging on the device by following this tutorial below:
How to Enable USB Debugging on an Android Device
2. Plug the device in via USB cable.
3. Open the newly extracted PurpleDrake folder on the computer.
4. Double-click the purpledrake_windows.bat file inside (or the .command for Mac) and follow the prompts (hitting enter a few times).
5. Open the Play Store.
6. Search for and install SuperSU.
7. Open SuperSU and click Continue to update the binaries.
8. Tap Normal.
9. Should say successful.
IV. Confirm You Have Root Access (Optional)
1. Open the Play Store.
2. Search for and install Root Checker.
3. Open Root Checker.
4. Tap Agree.
5. Tap Okay.
6. Tap Verify Root.
7. Tap Grant.
8. If it says Congrats, then you are rooted.
Now, with this new-found root access, what should you do? Well, for starters, I’d head to our How to Customize the UI on the LG G3 Using G3 Tweaksbox tutorial and use that to make some fun changes to the UI and customize the G3 to your heart’s content. Just sayin’.
Head to our LG G3 How To’s section for more tips and tricks for the LG G3.
Does this work on the LS990 model?
It should work on all of them according to the developer’s page. Let me know if it works for you!
It does not work with LS990
you list the toolkit option for the mac for the second step but no drivers for the mac….
Because the Mac doesn’t need them usually. Give it a try.
No dice on Sprint version of LG G3! Thank you for the info and your efforts, I’m sure a solve is right around the corner
Aw sorry it didn’t work. I’m sure it is too. Good luck!
I can’t get my g3 to be recognized on my mac within the purple drake mac command window. I’ve already installed drivers and have tried everything. Help!
Sorry, you’ll have to check with the PurpleDrake team at the link I linked to (where you downloaded the toolkit from).
I’ve followed all the steps, and it all worked. Now it’s giving me the 3 options:
1) Install TWRP and a modded boot (disable LG security)
2) Install TWRP only
3) Quit PurpleDrake
How do I actually go about “choosing” the first option? I can’t click on it obviously, and typing in “1” or the entire line doesn’t work.
Those are new options since I did this tutorial. You’ll have to check the original thread I linked to (where you downloaded it from) for more info.
It doesn’t recognize my cellphone. I have the D852 Version from Rogers.
That’s a driver issue. You just need to Google for drivers if the ones in the kit aren’t working. Look for the name of your device followed by adb drivers.
it says my device is vulnerable and the software isnt compatible im using a Sprint G3
Your phone is not running a compatible software version. No vulnerable mode detected, rebooting phone.
We tried to temproot you, and it didn’t work. This phone isn’t vulnerable, it would appear.
Please post on XDA with your phone model, carrier, and SW version in the PurpleDrake thread and someone will take a look.
Your phone has been rebooted back to normal system mode, no changes have been made. Thanks for trying!
logout
did you ever get it fixed?
Doesn’t work. Reboots my phone but then the program doesn’t wait for my phone
Using Verizon LG G3. Plugged in the phone and successfully did the update. After hitting enter on the .bat file, the warning never came up on the phone and the software was continually waiting for device.
Same here
MY LG G3 855 BUILD NUMBER IS KVT49L.A1412000029. WILL THIS WORK WITH IT? THANKS
Not sure about that build. You can give it a try though and see.
did it work?
Will give it a try , thanks,,
Hi, i have updated my g3 to lollipop. Can I use this method anyway? This worked with the last version 4.4.2
Honestly not sure, check the link where you download the toolkit and see it says any thing about it being updated for Lollipop.
LG G3, Sprint, android 4.4.2… ERROR: Your phone is not running a compatible software version. No vulnerable mode detected, rebooting phone.
We tried to temproot you, and it didn’t work. This phone isn’t vulnerable, it would appear.
Please post on XDA with your phone model, carrier, and SW version in the PurpleDrake thread and someone will take a look.
Your phone has been rebooted back to normal system mode, no changes have been made. Thanks for trying!
logout… Idk what happen
LG Might have patched the rooting exploit. Do what it says and post on XDA and see if the developer of the toolkit can add your version to it.
i tried with the us990 and it did not work it goes until the end and comes up with a warning and kicks me out. Any help?
thank u very much bro, this works like a charm, love u
Hi, will it work on LG G3 S ? Its build number is KOT49I.A1414136480
will it work with my lg l fino ??? please
Yea it works
Hi, my LG G3 D855 running 5.0 Lollipop, build number: LRX21R.A1419207951, Europe (Belgium), the cmd window closed when my phone starts up again. It doesnt work
Check with the developer of Purple Drake. Not sure it works with lollipop, he’ll know.
Do you have the answer about lollipop version?
WORKED! Thank you soooo much!
That’s for reporting that it still works!
There was a rumor going around that this works for the LG G Pad 7.0. This (unfortunately for me) is not true. 🙁
i actually just did this for my Att LG G Pad 7.0 like 5 minutes ago and it worked!!! so easy man, give it another shot, i was looking for hours before i finally found this method. very easy
i have the unlocked LG G3 D722 (beat) Android Version 4.4.2 and used root checker basic and keeps stating “Sorry! This Device does not have root access”
help please!!!! D:
Try again then.
Tried multiple times on 4.4.2.
It temp roots then continues to attempt the perm root… then a lot of text flashes in the app and it closes. The phone is not rooted. SuperSU does not install and Rootchecker shows unrooted.
i have the same problem as david R need help please
Got it. What build version are you on (check in About Phone in settings). Wondering if LG patched the exploit.
Same exact thing happened to me just now, I tried a few times and it did the same thing. build number: KVT49L.D85110r
I fear it was patched in a little update they pushed out a month or so ago :/
Help, when I do it, when rebooting the phone, the .bat close, what can I do ? 🙁
im from middle east and i’ve rooted my phone using your guide… but after the lollipop update a couple of days ago… it says no su binary update supersu cannot install it and says i have to reroot my phone… how to reroot it? should i just follow this guide again… will it work on lollipop… thank you in advance…
same issues here and it seems no quick fix out yet?
i get a message saying that my device is vulnerable and the software isn’t compatible
Your phone is not running a compatible software version. No vulnerable mode detected, rebooting phone.
We tried to temproot you, and it didn’t work. This phone isn’t vulnerable, it would appear.
Please post on XDA with your phone model, carrier, and SW version in the PurpleDrake thread and someone will take a look.
Your phone has been rebooted back to normal system mode, no changes have been made. Thanks for trying!
logout
I am using a LG-G3 From Sprint
MODEL #- LGLS990,
SW VERSION- LS990ZV6
please help
this is the same with me on my d850 (att) on 5.0.1
It wont work on my LG G3 V98512B…. GRRR Why are the phone companies so against us rooting our devices to further customize them????
I also have a LG G3 V98512B..and mine wont work either. any suggestions?
did you ever get your phone rooted? i got the same phone LG G3 V98512B and hoping you found what works to root our phone. I appreciate your feedback
I did not. I tried various tools over 2 days and nothing worked. I’m going back to HTC. At least they support my right to mod my phone how I like.
Is it compatible with LG G3 Beat? towelroot and stumproot doesnt work with it and i
was wondering if itll work. and if i try to root while using this and fails, what could be the possible defects?
it’s stuck on Waiting for device… dammit
It won’t work for any device besides the original lg g 3
“How to Root the LG G3 (All Versions) (PurpleDrake Method)”
Correct. All versions of the LG G3 as in all the variants of that device (the Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile versions for example). The LG G3 Beat is a different phone that came out after the LG G3. Similar to the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S5 Active. Similar names but different phones.
mine is the original LG G3 I have not got the 5.0 update I have 4.4.2 but stays stuck on waiting for device as well. Any suggestions?
in the purple dragon .exe still waiting for device… pls help!!!! Build number: LRX21R.A1421650137
Change to FTP mode, not the MTP.
may god bless you and your children. Worked on lg g3 s d722
Why thank you!
I keep getting “windows cannot find ‘.assetswindowsbinmintty.exe’. Make sure you typed the name correctly and then try again.” when I open the purpledrake_windows.bat
Run it as administrator.
I am having the same problem and I tried running it as admin but I still got the same error msg. Any ideas what I can do? I have an LG Optimus l90. Thanks.
If I don’t run as administrator, it works but keeps saying it’s waiting for the device and adding periods. if I try running as administrator, windows can’t find it and I’ve tried virtually everything.
I tried this on the D851 with android version 4.4.2 and it does not work, or at least when I check with “Root Checker” it says that the phone is not rooted.
Supersu wont update binary it says if i just downloaded 4.3 that i need to manually re-root consult forum for my devise any idea what that means ?
Success with my Korean 32GB version – 4.4.2 – Kernel ver 3.4.0 – Build number KVT49L.A1414630487 – Software version V10k-SEA-XX. the important info seems to be the ‘V10k’ part. [I tried towelroot and stump root before this]
Glad it worked and thanks for reporting back!
my lg g3 ls990zv6 4.4.2 doesnt work with this method. tried stumproot and didnt work…tried purple drake and it says my device isnt compatible. really want to root and get cygn md12. little help please…sprint
lg g3 sprint. I’ve tried everything but can’t get the root.
android 4.4.2
baseband MPSS.DI.2.0.1.13-00018-M8974AAAAANPZM-1.01651016.3717.1
kernal 3.4.0
build number KVT49L.LS990ZV6
software LS990ZV6
Mines still saying ” waiting for device ” Its plugged in, its on USB debugging mode. Its been like this for the past 27 miutes. Help please
Unplug the USB, Disable and reable the USB Debugging. Close down purpledrake. plug USB back in, start windows_purpledrake.bat by right clicking on .bat file, run as administrator, it will find your device.
Thanks for helping out!
For what it’s worth, and if you’re still having an issue, I (for no good reason other than I hadn’t attempted it) changed the connection type from MTP to PTP. Worked once for a friend, didn’t for the next. Was I watching an anomoly the first time and the norm is failure, or would the USB DB Con have mattered?
BULLSHIT! I just done everything and it worked but now i have no fucking service thanks.
Hmm. Instead of panicking and blaming things on us, you could have just asked for help…
Here’s how to undo everything though if you just want to quell the panic – https://theunlockr.com/2014/08/03/how-to-unroot-the-lg-g3-all-versions-video/
hello i have a lg g3 32 gb d855 eu with last ota lolipop and purpledrake fail to root ..why ?
There is no root method avaliable for LG G3 with lollipop.
This tutorial is pretty old honestly. I’d think Lollipop probably negated it and so it doesn’t work anymore. Sorry guys!
Your tutorial still working, he just need to donwgrade to kitkat through kdz, root, and install lollipop pre-rooted through twrp.
Thanks for reporting back on that. Do you have a link to a tutorial for how to downgrade that I can add here for others?
Hey. I have a LG G3 VS985
Version 4.4.2
I am stuck on the waiting for device. I downloaded drivers ect everything is set up correctly. My question is I saw in a previous comment about being patched. Before I found this I tried StumpRoot, it didnt work and said my device is patched. Factory Data Reset, was still patched. Is this why PurpleDrake isn’t working? Is there a way to unpatch it? If not what phone can i get that will work?
I’m having this same exact issue.
hey i got lg t3 d855 i try yo do the root and all the steps go well untill i downlod the supresu app
the app say i dont have a binary su file the app say its realy importent and my phone got alot of problems now plzz help
Just open the SuperSU app and click update the binaries.
its say i dont have this files and close the app
can you give me your mail plz i will send you a screenshot of this
You can post it here in the comments.
man..i cant click the “update the binaries” because the app always say there is no SU binary insr=talled, and Super SU cannot install it. This is a problem!
if you just upgraded to android 4.3, youneed to manually re-root – consult the relevant forums for your device.
hey i got a problem with the root i do all steps and in go well now i downlod the supersu app and its say thet i dont have a biany su file plzz help me i got alot of problem now with my phone
binary file*
same here.. i also have that problem…haaaayyyyy..
So this method is not suited for LG G3 which is running Lollipop?
Seems like it’s not working for people on lollipop but go ahead and try it, it’ll just error out if not. Let me know if it doesn’t work and I’ll see if I can update the tutorial (even though I no longer have the device).
The downloads don’t work 🙁
(I mean the drivers, the rest works)
lg optimus build number KOT49I.MS32310c
not working plz help
This tutorial is for the LG G3, you do not have the LG G3 so it isn’t working. This is the device you need for this tutorial: http://www.lg.com/global/g3/index.html
it says “there is no SU binary insr=talled, and Super SU cannot install it. This is a problem!
if you just upgraded to android 4.3, youneed to manually re-root – consult the relevant forums for your device.”
man.,. how can i fix this? :'(
I tried with my LG G pad F7.0 kernel ver 3.10.49 build # LRX21Y software ver
LK430ZV3. It gave me and Error. can you help?
thank you very much….
It rooted my lg phone just for seconds..!!!
I tried many root application…
but this is the best!!!!!
i got to the .bat and and permarooted it the bat closed and i unplugged i forgot to do the superSU app step so i plugged it back in and it installed it and it keeps saying “there is no superSU binary installed” got any ideas how i can fix this?
I have the D850 model(AT&T), running 5.0.1. Will this method work for me on a Mac? I was going to buy a Windows 7 disc, and partition my hard drive. Is that a better alternative? Thanks.
It works for Mac. Just use the Mac files above.
Thank you for the quick reply.
Mine just says waiting for device ……. and it keeps adding periods slowly lol. What does this mean?
You have to delete the directory .android under you home directory and download LG G3 Drivers for Mac OSX. Once done, connect you device, put the USB mode on MTP and activate Debug mode. Execute the PurpleDrake script and on the phone you should see a message asking you to trust USB debugging on this computer. Say yes, checking the “remember this decision for this computer” and everything should go ahead.
do I have to be on kitkat? because I am on lollipop.
“ERROR: Your phone is not running a compatible software version. No vulnerable mode detected, rebooting phone.
We tried to temproot you, and it didn’t work. This phone isn’t vulnerable, it would appear.
Please post on XDA with your phone model, carrier, and SW version in the PurpleDrake thread and someone will take a look.”
My LG G3 985 Build number LRX21Y CARRIER IS VERIZON ANY HELP???
My F400k20n , android 5 , not root
If you are having trouble with the phone being seen use this to setup the drivers – https://theunlockr.com/2009/10/06/how-to-set-up-adb-usb-drivers-for-android-devices/
Hello,i have problem to Root my LG G3 with android 5.0 , i followed your steps to Root,but here gives mi error..
So you went through the entire tutorial and you didn’t get any errors at all? Try and do it all again.
i try`it again and this time a have this error
OK, that makes more sense. What version of Android are you on exactly?
With this
Head here and see if the developer of the toolkit has more info for you – http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/development/root-root-lg-g3-easily-purpledrake-lite-t2821000
Guessing you might have a version that just doesn’t work with his toolkit, but check with him.
My LG G2 lite D295 is possible to root or apply towel root? Tnx
Not sure this tutorial is for the G3 only. You can try towel root though and see if it works. Worst case it’ll just say not compatible.
not working on g3 stylus d690
i did the same thing but then i had the same warning at the guy who posted a pic of it.. i tried to root it using Stump but then it says that my device is patched ?? how to get over this patch and root it ?
Unfortunately you’d have to ask the developer of the rooting tool about that as he’d have to update it for the new version of the firmware.
How long does PurpleDrake take to do its thing? I’ve been at “Waiting for device… ……………………………” for quite a while, the only change being the occasional addition of a dot.
Sounds like your drivers might not be installed correctly. Use my how to setup ADB tutorial and make sure you can see the device by the end of that, etc. – https://theunlockr.com/2009/10/06/how-to-set-up-adb-usb-drivers-for-android-devices/
Otherwise, contact the developer of PurpleDrake for help with his program.
Why am I getting this error? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/42abe5839f855bd11cde3cf7f8c44c7fcbe4c7e50e1ce824ae537109cb26848a.png
hi https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8bdcacbb81fb80e862278cb13f60c89a222d4c8fc83573768a9ed4d4977468b9.png
got this error when tried this.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/04d659723a6b514d518d6eee1a373ac65ffae02da4a278b5a4fcf70b5893fcd3.png this
so MRA58K is my build ID