The other day Lollipop .kdz files appeared for two versions of the LG G3, the F400S and D855. The latter handset now has a rooted Android Lollipop ROM available which can be installed by the traditional and more favourable TWRP .zip method.

.kdz files are installed through PC based flashing tools, meaning that you can’t easily use a recovery option to backup and restore older OS versions that contain all your favourite apps, messages, contracts, etc. Instead you are left to use factory reset images if you want to go back to an older OS version, not ideal if you just want to try something out.

Fortunately, XDA Forum member skin1980 has created a .zip file of Android Lollipop for the D855 version of the LG G3 that can be flashed through the tried and tested TWRP custom recovery. This method allows LG G3 owners to keep the old bootloader and move back to old KitKat based backups with ease, although users will need to remember to flash a modem file when switching back. If this wasn’t helpful enough, the ROM also has a kernel available that supports rooting.

The ROM is based on the latest v.20A LG build of Android Lollipop, meaning that it has a few extra bug fixes and patches applied compared with some of the .kdz files we reported on the other day. It’s not clear if this is the final build that LG intends to roll out in the coming weeks, but reports suggest that the build is stable.

The only requirement to try this out is ROM is that you’re running the international D855 version of the LG G3 (don’t try this on other carrier branded versions!) and that you have TWRP installed. The instructions and files can all be found in the source link below.