LG G3 gets a Software update (V10L) – fixes UI lag issue

Ever since LG G3 hit the market there have been reports of a nagging lag in the UI thanks to the custom LG firmware. Despite having flagship-specs (Snapdragon 801, quad-core 2.5GHz Krait 400

CPU, 3GB RAM, Android KitKat), this lag marred the overall user experience. Although LG has drastically cut down the bloatware (proprietary apps) and avoided heavy customization of UI in LG G3, still they somehow did not get everything right. Since the launch of G3, LG has rolled out 2-3 (variable depending upon the market variant) firmware updates to iron out various issues. But unfortunately the lag was too stubborn to vanish. To tackle it once again, LG is seeding another software update for G3 (based on same KitKat v4.4.2) in some regions including India, Thailand and some European countries. We have got an Indian variant LG G3 D855 in our office and noticed this update when checked via LG Mobile Support Tool. However, there was no OTA update notification when checked via Update Center app. Some LG G3 users at XDA forums reported that they have updated their phone after getting OTA notification of this update (OTA update stands at around 174MB). As usual almost all variants are going to get it sooner or later. As usual there is no official word on the update or its change-log but we have noticed two changes after the update – a faster, lag-free UI and much improved battery performance. As seen in the screenshot above, the Software Build for our LG G3 now shows as “V10l-IND-XX” while the previous Build was “V10j-IND-XX”.

How to update LG smartphones using LG Mobile Support Tool?

In case you are not familiar with the use of LG Mobile Support Tool, here is a simple guide to help you in this matter. The problem with LGS Tool is that it downloads the whole firmware rather than the update only, in contrast to OTA process which download and install the update only. So be patient as the whole process will take quite some time.

Warning – Before you go ahead with the update process with LG Mobile Support Tool, make sure to

Back-up your important data first as there is always a possibility of data loss during update (less likely by OTA process)

Also phone battery should preferably be charged to at least half the full mark

Do not touch the phone or USB cable during the process as any connection interruption may brick your device and render it unusable. Also avoid any computer related issue which may interrupt the update process like sudden shut down due to any cause (like power interruption or virus infection), computer freeze etc.

LG Support Tool requires at least 8-9 GB of free space in Windows drive (usually C drive) to work properly (otherwise it will give “failed to extract/expand KDZ archive” error). So check and ensure it before update process

LG Mobile Support Tool is a Windows software, so download and install it in your PC (available free at the LG website). After installation, open Support Tool (right click on its icon and select “Run as administrator”) – it will take some time to launch – now connect your LG G3 (or any other LG samrtphone) with computer via USB cable – LG Support Tool will detect the phone – first install phone drivers by clicking on “Install USB Drivers” tab – when drivers are installed Support Tool will show phone’s software information and inform if software update is available – click on the “Start Upgrade” button on the top left to begin with the update process – after initial check for connection and phone settings LGS Tool will start downloading the new software – usually the firmware is in GBs so it will take time (depending upon your internet connection speed) – in our case LGS Tool downloaded 1.19GB – after download completes phone will restart and Support Tool will start the update process (after firmware download, Support Tool took only few minutes to update our G3) – when finished phone will restart and done – now you can disconnect your phone from computer.