Install TWRP Recovery on LG G5 and Root it on Android Nougat

LG G5 was one of the very first Android smartphones updated to Android 7.0 Nougat. LG G5 has been enjoying all the Nougat goodies for a long while now. The device has seen a lot of improvements on the Nougat firmware. A plethora of MODs has also landed in for the LG G5 running on Android 7.0 Nougat.

LG G5 running stock Nougat in the hands of an Android power user is something that doesn’t sound good. G5 has got a lot of potential that you cannot unearth while you are using the untouched/stock firmware. To go beyond the boundaries and check out what your device is capable of, it is very important to root it and also to install a custom recovery like the TWRP recovery.

Rooting your LG G5 on Android Nougat is fairly easy. The method involves traditional steps of flashing a TWRP recovery using ADB and Fastboot and then flashing SuperSU to root the device. TWRP 3.1.0-0 is available for the LG G5. While root access will give you additional features by means of third party applications, the TWRP will let you backup your device and perform other important operations like wiping cache, dalvik cache and do a lot more.

For the method to work, your LG G5 must be running Android 7.0 Nougat. That’s the only main requirement for this procedure to work. The TWRP recovery is available for LG G5 H850 and the H830 variant at the moment. If you own one of these variants, you can jump up to the procedure to install TWRP recovery on LG G5 and root it on Android Nougat.

Install TWRP Recovery on LG G5 and Root it on Android Nougat

Preparations

• This guide is intended for LG G5 H850 and H830 only. Do not try this on any other variant of the LG G5 or else you will result in bricking your device. Check your device’s model number in Settings > About device.
• Charge your LG G5 up to 50% to ensure power backup during flashing process.
• Backup your important contacts, sms messages, call logs and also copy your media content to your PC.
• Enable OEM Unlocking on your LG G5. Also, enable USB debugging on your phone as well.
• Use OEM data cable to establish connection between your PC and your phone.
• Download and install Minimal ADB and Fastboot drivers.
• Download and install LG USB drivers on your computer.
• Unlock the bootloader of your LG G5 by following the instructions on LG’s official bootloader unlock page.

How to install TWRP Recovery and Root the LG G5 on Nougat now

1. Make sure that you’ve unlocked the bootloader of your LG G5.
2. Now download the TWRP Recovery.img [H850] or the TWRP Recovery.img [H830] file and rename it as twrp.img only.
3. Copy the renamed twrp recovery.img file to the Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder that you’ve got in your Windows installation drive
4. Download SuperSU.zip file and copy it to your LG G5’s external storage.
5. Enable OEM unlocking and allow USB debugging on your phone.
6. Now connect your LG G5 to your PC and open the Minimal ADB and Fastboot.exe from your desktop or open the command window using the instructions listed in the Minimal ADB and Fastboot guide.
7. Now in the command window, enter the following commands one by one.

   1. adb reboot bootloader

   2. fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

8. Now disconnect your phone from your PC and plug out the battery.
9. Put the battery back in your phone and boot into recovery mode directly. To do so, Press and hold Volume down + Power button.
10. As soon as you find the LG logo on you the screen, leave the power button and quickly press it again. Do not leave the Volume down button during this step.
11. Keep holding the Volume Down and Power key unless you see the Factory Reset option on the screen.
12. Follow on-screen instructions and perform a factory reset now.
13. Once done, you’re all set to flash SuperSU.zip in TWRP. As you’ve copied SuperSU.zip into external SD card, you will first need to mount your external SD card by using mount option in TWRP. Once you’ve mounted external SD card, get back to the main menu in TWRP and tap “Install > Locate the SuperSU.zip file in external storage and flash it.
14. Once SuperSU has been flashed, you can safely boot into the system now as TWRP will also stick here.