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Verizon LG G4 Release Botched with Missing Features

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The impressive new LG G4 is available around the globe and from all five major carriers in the United States. On June 4th it arrived at Verizon, but we’ve quickly learned that multiple key features are surprisingly missing on the Verizon LG G4.

LG’s latest smartphone is a very capable large 5.5-inch device with one of the best cameras on any smartphone, runs the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop, and more. Even on Verizon Wireless the LG G4 is still one of the best Android phones available today, but for some reason many features are missing.

Read: LG G4 Release: Everything You Need to Know

On April 28th the LG G4 was announced, and last week it was released by AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint and US Cellular. Now that owners are getting the device, we’re getting a lot of questions, as well as plenty of complaints from those on Verizon.

LG G4 Back Camera

Before we start, it’s worth noting that everything mentioned below is software related, and nothing about the main core experience of the LG G4 is missing. It still has a great 5.5-inch screen, a stunning camera, 32GB of storage with a micro-SD slot with a removable battery, and more.

Users who run out and grab the Verizon LG G4 will love all it has to offer, just as we’re loving our unit which we reviewed in full, available at the link below. That said, read on to lean about the software Verizon stripped from the G4, features that are available from other carrier versions.

Read: LG G4 Review

There are actually six main features missing on the Verizon LG G4, and maybe more as we keep digging. These are features we have on our international version and on the AT&T model I’ve been using the past two weeks. The biggest one is multi-user mode, which Google announced with Android 4.4 KitKat.

Verizon LG G4 Missing Features

  • Multi-user Accounts
  • Smart Settings
  • Themes
  • Customizable Lockscreen
  • LG Smartworld
  • FM Radio

As you can see above the Verizon LG G4 is missing six features that almost every other LG G4 user will be able to enjoy. A few aren’t too important, while others are something I use on a daily basis. I received countless complaints from users in multiple emails, and more complaints have been spotted in the AndroidCentral forums. The lockscreen can still be slightly customized, but many of the options and controls are missing.

Multiple user accounts and Smart Settings are two things I use daily on my LG G4. Having one account for myself, another for work, and a third for kids is extremely useful and has been available since Android 4.4 KitKat on Android. For whatever reason, this is missing from the Verizon LG G4. Then, smart settings, which lets you automate and turn on or off certain features like location, WiFi, Bluetooth and more based on location or your habits, is also missing. We loved Smart Settings in our LG G4 review, and that’s sadly missing too.

G4-missingfeatures

It’s worth noting that SmartWorld can be installed if you find the app online, but then users are required to download and sideload an APK which could cause harm to the device. Then, the FM radio is missing in favor of Verizon wanting owners to use its own music services. While this isn’t too big of a deal, it could be a concern in emergency situations, or simply for those who still enjoy using the FM radio on their Android smartphone.

Read: 30 LG G4 Tips & Tricks

So far we’re still looking through the LG G4 on Verizon to see what all is has to offer, what’s missing, and will report back as we find more. Verizon’s G4 is still a great device with a powerful 6-core processor, beautiful leather materials around back and more. For whatever reason Verizon found it necessary to remove a few key features, which is something worth knowing before prospective buyers run out and sign a new 2-year contract and get the latest and greatest device from LG and Verizon Wireless.

Some of these may return in future updates, but we’ll have to wait and see. Of course, you can still get a free 32GB micro-SD card and an extra 3,000 mAh battery from LG by heading to this promotional website, and the free accessories will ship within 4-6 weeks. Any other Verizon LG G4 complaints? Drop us a comment below.

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. Jerry Miner

    06/09/2015 at 9:14 am

    It is almost as if Verizon does not want to sell this phone. Been a Verizon customer forever and this is the worst product launch I have ever seen from them. They know nothing of the LG promo. They do not know much about the phone.

    • [email protected]

      07/11/2015 at 2:43 am

      Verizon didn’t want to pay for those key features from LG. I’m assuming it’s because they want to sell it cheaper than the Galaxy or Iphone because they think it won’t sell as good at an equal price to those phones, so they don’t pay for key features which LG forces carriers to pay. It’s both LG and Verizon’s fault. LG shouldn’t be greedy forcing carriers to cherry pick software included in their builds. Apple doesn’t do that. Verizon shouldn’t be so greedy in worrying about their profit margins on phones by omitting these paid features since they make enough on monthly billing.

      • oneranger2013

        07/11/2015 at 8:46 am

        I’m not buying that. after many years of smartphones, this is the first time I’ve heard that the manufacturer (LG) charges for it’s built-in features? I don’t think so. Verizon just drops the features that they can replace with their own money-making features., like the FM radio. Do you have any proof to back that up?

  2. D. A. Vader

    06/09/2015 at 11:55 am

    Multiuser accounts are also missing on my AT&T LG G4, received on 6/4/2015.

  3. Ryan

    06/13/2015 at 6:04 am

    Also, the Verizon variant is ineligible for the free 100gbs for two years through Google Drive.

  4. Carlos

    06/14/2015 at 8:49 am

    Call auto reject feature missing

    • zalekBloom

      09/18/2015 at 12:38 pm

      I just spend 1 hour with Verizon Tech support – they didn’t find it, but promised to email me when this feature will be available. And meantime I am receiving plenty of sales calls.

  5. mrbigdog2u

    06/19/2015 at 1:58 pm

    I tried to find the auto-reject feature as well. I found a number of references to it on-line but my phone does not have the feature on it. Not sure if this is a Verizon specific oversight or what but I want it back.

    • Jess

      06/23/2015 at 9:46 pm

      I had the sprint version first then switched to Verizon so I could actually have service to use it. I don’t know if I found the send calls to voicemail on the sprint version but do have it on the Verizon. I found it by going to the contact details for a specific contact > three dots in the upper right > bottom of the list there’s “Send all calls to voicemail”

      However I’d much rather trade some of Verizon’s stupid built in apps to have access to all the things that made me not hate this phone when I had the sprint version….

  6. Jami Ffrench-Parker

    06/22/2015 at 10:11 am

    Very disappointing to see a feature as useful as smart settings online, search my phone for 20 mins trying to find it, then search and find out my carrier removed it from the device. I switched to Verzon at the same time i got this phone a week ago. If I’d known i would’ve gone to AT&T and gotten the full featured device. Still love the phone though.

  7. oneranger2013

    07/03/2015 at 8:52 pm

    I have a verizon LG G4 and it has a customizable lock screen on it. What are you talking about? I also downloaded the LG Smartworld from LG site and it has themes on it, so that takes care of two of the things you said were missing. I found a download for Smart Settings but haven’t installed it yet. the only thing I haven’t found a download for is the FM radio and the multiple user accounts, two things I’d never use anyway.

  8. bobby jones

    11/15/2015 at 7:53 am

    Us cellular g4 doesnt have smart world or themes either

  9. Corinne Cervantes

    01/09/2016 at 6:10 am

    I have Verizon LG4: after 1 yr 2mos my screen fades out and I can’t access phone files. I tried using connection to pc but the screen doesn’t stay active long enough to connect to pc. I have downloads, notebook notes that I need to access. What can I do? Verizon claims screen is not working and there’s nothing they can do and referred me to the insurance claim. Any suggestions? There is also a purple/blue color notification light that is blinking. I’m having to use an alternate phone and want to try every possibility to retrieve files before my phone is sent to never- never land with insurance claim.

  10. tesoritrovati4800

    01/13/2016 at 10:21 am

    No way to reject calls or block numbers with the LG G4 US Cellular. That is the one and only feature that I miss from my iPhone 5s. All the online tutorials and videos on using something called ‘Call Reject’ don’t apply to my phone. The options they show don’t even exist on my phone! I find it ridiculous that the phones are not the same no matter what carrier you are with!

  11. Kristy

    02/13/2016 at 1:32 pm

    Still trying to figure out a way to reject calls/block numbers. I can’t believe this isn’t available. I’m a Verizon subscriber. All the instructions I find don’t apply to my phone. There is no call reject option – which is what is referred to on all the instructions I find. Wondering if Verizon wants me to pay for their service. Very frustrating. My Samsung phones all have had this option. Will never get an LG again if this continues to be a problem.

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