How to Root an LG Optimus

Gingerbreak

1. Turn on the LG Optimus phone. Return your phone to the home screen if it currently has an application or menu open. Press 'Menu' on the phone. Tap 'Settings' and 'Applications.' Enter the 'Development' submenu, and toggle on 'USB Debugging.'

2. Connect the LG Optimus to your computer. Open 'Notifications' on the phone. Tap 'USB Connected' and switch your connection method to only charge if another option is currently selected.

3. Go to the computer. Open a Web browser. Type 'shortfuse.org' and click 'SuperOneClick.' If the download is not currently up on the developer's site, click the link to the XDA-Developers.com link for an alternative download host. Download the SuperOneClick application to your computer, and launch it when the download ends.

4. Click 'Root' in the Universal tab of SuperOneClick. You do not need to interact any further with the program or your Optimus for the rest of this process. Once SuperOneClick is done, you have root access.

Z4root

5. Go to your computer. Download the 'Z4root' application from TheUnlockr.com or a similar site hosting the APK file. Z4root, as of publication, is not currently available in the Android Market so you'll need to download the APK file from a third-party site.

6. Connect the LG Optimus to your computer. Click 'Start.' Click 'Computer.' Double-click your Optimus. Drag the 'Z4root' APK file to the Optimus folder. Disconnect the Optimus once the file transfer completes.

7. Open the file manager application on your Optimus. Tap the APK file, and tap 'Install.' Go to the Optimus application page, and tap 'Z4root' to launch the program.

8. Tap the 'Root' button to root the Optimus. Reboot the phone after Z4root finishes running.

Universal Androot

9. Open Addictivetips.com on your Web browser, and search for 'Universal Androot.' Download the Universal Androot APK file from this website or a similar download site.

10. Hook up the LG Optimus to the computer with the data cable. Click 'Start' and 'Computer.' Double-click the Optimus drive once the computer detects it.

11. Copy and paste the Universal Androot APK file to the Optimus. You can move the APK file to subfolders on the Optimus if desired.

12. Remove the data cable from the Optimus and launch the file manager. Tap the Universal Androot APK file. Tap 'Install.' Launch the program after it is installed.

13. Tap 'Root' to add the root access to your LG Optimus.