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HAVING TROUBLE GETTING MY LGQ70 INTO BOOTLOADER MODE

Troubleshooting LG Q70 Bootloader Mode Access and Rooting Preparation

We understand the specific challenges you are encountering with your LG Q70 when attempting to enter bootloader mode (often referred to as fastboot mode). For users who are new to the rooting and Android modification scene, the initial steps of unlocking the bootloader are frequently the most daunting. It is a common scenario to find that standard key combinations found on other Android devices do not yield the expected results on LG smartphones. The behavior you described—where the device reboots normally via ADB or displays a Firmware Update screen with a stalled progress bar—is a classic indication of how LG implements their low-level modes.

This guide is designed to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough to help you navigate these hurdles. We will dissect the specificities of the LG Q70 architecture, explain the nuances of the Firmware Update screen, and detail the exact procedures required to achieve bootloader access. Since your goal is to root the device for educational purposes, we will also discuss the implications of the KDZ flashing process you alluded to, ensuring you have a safe pathway to your goal. While your primary resource for rooting modifications will eventually be the Magisk Modules repository and the Magisk Module Repository, the prerequisite for using those tools is successfully gaining control at the bootloader level.

Understanding the LG Q70 Bootloader and Fastboot Landscape

To solve the problem, we must first understand the architecture of the LG Q70 (model number LM-Q720). Unlike many mainstream Android manufacturers like Google, OnePlus, or Xiaomi, which utilize a standard Fastboot Mode for low-level flashing, LG has historically utilized a proprietary protocol.

The Distinction Between Fastboot and LG QFIL/Download Mode

When you run the command adb reboot bootloader, you are asking the Android OS to reboot into a specific partition state that listens for Fastboot protocol commands. However, on many LG devices, this command often defaults to what is known as Download Mode (or Emergency Mode). This mode is designed for factory flashing using LG’s proprietary tools, such as the LG UP (LG Flash Tool) or QPST (Qualcomm Flash Image Loader).

The screen you described, asking for a “Firmware Update” with a percentage bar that remains at 0%, is the user interface for Download Mode. It is waiting for a connection to a computer running the specific LG flashing software to send a KDZ (Kernet Data Zone) or TOT (The One Thing) firmware file. Without the correct software handshake, the bar will never move, and the device will eventually time out or remain stuck.

Why Standard Button Combinations Fail

You mentioned trying various button combinations. On the LG Q70, the standard method to force this mode is usually Volume Up + USB Cable connection. However, if the device is already booted into Android, the OS may intercept the input. If the device has a locked bootloader (which it almost certainly does, as it is an unmodified older device), the system partitions are verified, and the pathway to a truly unlocked Fastboot Mode (where you can run fastboot oem unlock) is often blocked by LG’s implementation of ABL (Advanced Bootloader).

We need to bypass the standard Android boot chain to access the low-level interface. The confusion arises because “Bootloader Mode” and “Fastboot Mode” are often used interchangeably, but for the LG Q70, they refer to different software states.

Diagnosing the “Firmware Update” Screen

The screen you encountered is the key to solving this. It is not an error; it is an invitation to flash stock firmware.

What is the 0% Progress Bar?

When the device shows the Firmware Update screen, it is in a state waiting for a specific Qualcomm Sahara protocol connection. The phone acts as a server, and the computer must act as a client with the correct authentication handshake (QPST). If you are simply plugging the phone into a standard PC without the Qualcomm drivers and QPST software, the phone waits indefinitely, resulting in the 0% hang.

Is Flashing a ROM Necessary?

You asked if you need to flash a ROM to bypass this. The answer is nuanced.

  1. If your goal is simply to enter Fastboot Mode: You do not need to flash a full ROM. You simply need to trigger the correct mode.
  2. If your device is currently stuck in this mode and cannot boot to Android: You will need to flash a stock KDZ using LG UP to restore the device.
  3. If you want to root the device: You generally need an unlocked bootloader. On LG devices, unlocking the bootloader via standard commands (fastboot flashing unlock) is often not supported in the traditional sense. Instead, the rooting process for older LG devices often involves flashing a TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) image directly via the Download Mode (QFIL).

Therefore, the “Firmware Update” screen is actually the correct mode to be in if you plan to use the Qualcomm method to flash a custom recovery, which is the gateway to rooting with Magisk.

Step-by-Step Guide to Entering Download/Bootloader Mode

We will now outline the precise steps to force your LG Q70 into the necessary state. We will treat the “Firmware Update” screen as the target state, as it is the most reliable way to interface with the device’s bootloader for rooting purposes.

Prerequisites

Before attempting these steps, ensure you have the following ready:

Method 1: The Hardware Key Combination (Cold Boot)

This method works best when the device is completely powered off.

  1. Power Off: Hold the power button and select “Power off” completely. Wait until the screen goes black.
  2. Prepare the Hand: Press and hold the Volume Up button. Do not let go yet.
  3. Connect USB: While holding Volume Up, plug the USB cable into the phone and connect it to your PC.
  4. Wait for Screen: As soon as you connect the cable, keep holding Volume Up until the Firmware Update screen appears.

If this does not work, try Volume Down instead of Volume Up. Some regional variants of the Q70 respond to different volume keys for the emergency download mode.

Method 2: Using ADB (If Previously Enabled)

Since you mentioned adb reboot bootloader failed, this confirms the device is not listening for Fastboot. However, you can try to force the Download Mode via ADB if USB Debugging was previously enabled on the device.

  1. Open your command prompt or terminal.
  2. Run the command: adb reboot edl (EDL stands for Emergency Download Mode).
  3. If this command is recognized, the screen will go black, and the device will enter the Qualcomm Download Mode (visible in Device Manager as QUSB_BULK).

Note: If USB Debugging is not enabled, this method will not work.

Method 3: The “Test Point” Method (Advanced)

If the button combinations fail and the device cannot boot to Android, you may need to resort to hardware-level access. This involves opening the device and shorting specific test points on the motherboard to force the CPU into the EDL (Emergency Download) state.

Assuming you have successfully achieved the Firmware Update screen, you are now in the correct state to attempt the root process. This is where the confusion usually settles in. You do not want to flash a full stock KDZ (which would wipe your data and leave you unrooted). You want to flash a TWRP recovery image.

Understanding the Process

Since the LG Q70 does not have a standard Fastboot interface to flash recovery, you must use QFIL (Qualcomm Flash Image Loader) to flash the TWRP image directly to the recovery partition.

  1. Download QFIL: Download and install QPST, which includes QFIL.
  2. Download TWRP: You need the specific TWRP image file for the LG Q70 (.img format).
  3. Launch QFIL: Open QFIL. It should detect your device in the “Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008” port.
  4. Select Flat Build: Choose “Flat Build” and browse to the TWRP .mbn or .elf file (you may need to convert the .img to .mbn or use a program that supports direct flashing).
  5. Flash Recovery: Select the Programmer Path (often prog_emmc_firehose_8953_ddr.mbn) and the Raw Programmer XML. Load the TWRP image into the “Select Image” path. Click Download.

This will flash TWRP to the recovery partition. Once flashed, you can boot directly into TWRP by holding Volume Down + Power (usually) immediately after the flash completes.

From Recovery to Root

Once inside TWRP:

  1. Wipe Data: You typically need to wipe the Data partition (format data) to decrypt the device.
  2. Install Magisk: Transfer the Magisk ZIP file to your device. Flash it via the TWRP “Install” menu.
  3. Reboot: Reboot the system. You should now have root access.

Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting

Driver Issues

The most common reason for failure is drivers.

Stuck on 0%

If you are in the Firmware Update screen and want to get out of it without flashing:

  1. Force Restart: Hold Volume Down + Power for roughly 10-15 seconds. This can sometimes force a reboot into the standard OS if the bootloader is not corrupted.
  2. Battery Drain: Let the battery drain completely, then charge it for 15 minutes (while off) and try the key combo again.

Verifying Bootloader Status

Before attempting to flash TWRP, it is crucial to know if the bootloader can be unlocked.

For the LG Q70, because it is a mid-range carrier-influenced device, the bootloader unlockability via official method is restricted. This is why the QFIL method (flashing TWRP via the “Firmware Update” screen) is the standard community workaround.

Moving Forward with Magisk and Modules

Once you have successfully bypassed the bootloader restrictions and installed Magisk, the world of the Magisk Module Repository opens up. Since you are learning, we recommend starting with benign modules that tweak system UI or audio, rather than modules that modify critical system binaries immediately.

We advise you to keep a backup of your stock boot.img. Since you are using the QFIL method, you likely flashed a patched boot image or are relying on Magisk to patch the boot image. Always ensure you have a way to restore the device to stock via a KDZ flash using LG UP if things go wrong. This safety net is essential for a beginner.

Summary of the Path to Root

  1. Identify Mode: The “Firmware Update” screen is the LG Qualcomm Download Mode.
  2. Enter Mode: Use Volume Up + USB connection to get there.
  3. Interface: Use QFIL (not Fastboot) to flash TWRP.
  4. Recover: Boot into TWRP.
  5. Root: Flash Magisk in TWRP.
  6. Verify: Check root with the Magisk app.

By understanding that the “Firmware Update” screen is a feature, not a bug, you can pivot your strategy from trying to avoid it to utilizing it as the entry point for your rooting adventure. We hope this detailed breakdown assists you in safely unlocking the potential of your LG Q70.

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