Last Updated on July 22, 2022 by Mathew Diekhake

If you want a new smartphone with a big display, high-resolution camera, lots of RAM, Quad core processor, NFC and fast 4G mobile data support, the G Vista is a fantastic option for you. Presumably you know all that and are looking for a way to further enhance what you can do with the OS. That’s where rooting a phone comes into play. After we unchain the operating system we are able to install custom ROMs, download and install other apps from the Play Store and even run custom firmware that brings your device to a newer version of an Android software. That’s not always available, and we don’t know there’s any in place for the vista to upgrade. However, a common reason for the following is updating the software to run a custom version that’s above where the official stock version sits. For example, you might have a custom version of 5.0 Lollipop available from CyanogenMod where your official stock software only sits on KitKat and there’s nothing you can do but wait for the OTA.

The Verizon LG G Vista, otherwise known as LG VS880, LG G Pro 2 Lite and LG D631, is finding a new rooting method using ADB and fastboot. Therefore, you must have Android SDK setup to apply this way of unlocking the system internals from the factory restrictions put in place by the Life’s Good company. Many smartphones have different ways of opening up the internal hardware so if that’s something you don’t have experience with, it’s a great idea to look elsewhere or find a friend who can help you. Many guides need SDK to work including the Google Nexus range, so it’s something you may wish to learn for future occasions.

Verizon G Vista

The G Vista is available from Verizon and AT&T phone carrier networks. You must only apply the following for the Big red model and not the AT&T edition. You see, each different phone network has their own unique model number you can check out by stopping over at Settings > About Device. As I mentioned before, in this instance it’s the VS880. That’s the code you’ll find from the menu.

Details of Note

  • You want to back up the data before starting the steps to make sure you don’t lose anything important such as phone contacts, EFS folder, videos, pictures of your loved ones, music you have on the device and more. Helium helps backup the text messages, market apps existing on your smartphone and syncing the contacts. You can back up to the internal storage on the phone because applying resets only wipes the ROM and nothing stored internally. You don’t need the SD card for making copies of the data. However, since the Vista only gives a maximum storage space of just over 3 GB’s you may wish to invest in one. They have the SD cards available up to 64 GB’s of extra space. Moreover, Google Drive offer a cloud service that gives a limited amount of free storage space. You can store data in the cloud.
  • Use Easy Backup if you must make copies of the calendars and call logs.
  • Understand that you shouldn’t lose data after the steps unless something goes wrong. Often the way out of trouble is applying the factory reset option which essentially returns the device back to the way it was after you opened it out of the box. It’s like wiping everything as if you were handing your phone over to a friend for keeps.
  • You ought to save at least 50% battery power before starting. We are connecting to a computer for most of the guide so USB charging will take care of most of the battery. If USB charging isn’t working you must check the battery icon from the status bar and don’t start the steps unless there’s over 50% left. The % is loosely based on how old your device is and how we perceive the battery condition. However, only you know your device so plan carefully. If you think you should reserve more power you can do that.
  • Enable USB Debugging Mode from the Developer Options menu. You find it directly from the Settings menu.
  • Furthermore, you want to have the latest USB Drivers available for connecting to mobile to the computer.
  • The following is for advanced Android users only; those without experience in installing and using ADB should look away and come back after you know what you are doing.
  • You can’t use the guide unless you have Android SDK. SDK is available for Windows, Linux and Apple Mac. However, each requires a unique guide. In trying to make this guide as short as possible we aren’t running through the steps for each process. We will, however, run you through the commands you need.

How to root the G Vista By LG

  1. Turn on the computer and log in to your user account.
  2. Download the package here.
    – do not unzip the folder. We are transferring it direct.
  3. Connect the mobile to the computer with the USB wire.
  4. Transfer the zip file to the root of the SD card.
  5. Open the command prompt.
  6. Type: “adb reboot recovery.”
  7. Wait as the mobile boots into recovery mode.
  8. Navigate to “apply update zip from external SD card.”
  9. Confirm the process using the Power on button.
  10. Wait for the flashing.
  11. Go back and select reboot system now from recovery.

If you get stuck in a boot loop you must boot into the stock recovery once more. Now select “wipe data factory reset” and “wipe cache partition.” Additionally, you may wish to download the Root checker and Unroot Pro. Handy for those wishing to revert back to the stock software and return the smartphone back to normal.