V30+ smartworld themes

MrMalignance

 Has the v30+ version of LG smartworld cut off the device from themes? Usually there's at least 1 per week, but there hasn't been  new themes since before Valentine's day. I know that this device can't see all of the themes because it hasn't been updated to pie and also you told me that Sprint controls what LG can have one the smartworld app/store. 

LGModerator1

MrMalignance, the themes uploaded to Smartworld would come independent developers. Availability of these themes would be dependent on the devices compatibility.

MrMalignance

JamalofLg I know that the independent developers make the themes. What I'm saying is that for this device on Sprint, nothing is coming up since before Valentine's day. This means that your app is either excluding this device by marking it as incompatible (when there is zero reason why it would be) or it has become inhospitable to this device as a whole.
 I still haven't heard a logical reason why smartworld can't apply the theme to an older device that has supported themes before. I didn't think it would be an issue to have it apply the parts that work and leave out parts that don't (AoD pictures for example). 

LGModerator1

@MrMalignance, the Smartworld app would not exclude a device from downloading any themes, however, things such as resolution, screen size, and operating system of the device would play a role in what themes are available for download.  

MrMalignance

@JamalofLG So far the v30 seems to have a higher resolution than a good number of the devices that came after. I am not sure how the version of operating  system would affect a wallpaper and icon themes. Most themes seem to basically affect wallpaper and menu color. Is there something else that would prevent a theme marked for Android 9 fr working with 8?
 Also, I have multiple lg devices in this household. The g7 has themes that the v30+ doesn't have access to, the g8x has themes and personalization that neither the g7 or v30+ have access to. At multiple points some are overlapping in operating system version. Example v30+ and g7 running Android 8, but v30+ having less access. The screens differ: g7>v30+>g8x in ppi. The g8x has the largest screen, but the least dense ppi and has more themes and options in smartworld than either of the other phones. There are currently themes that run on all 3 devices with no problem. It's confusing that somehow the newest themes don't even show up on the smartworld app. 
 I'll level with you: I'm not trying to cause a problem or argue, I just don't get how lg has an issue scaling themes for various devices. It's not a ppi or screen size issue. The operating system angle works only if you ignore the fact that skins on an icon and wallpaper aren't exclusive to a particular operating system. I know that Samsung seems to have their theme store available to everyone that has a galaxy device and can use their theme store.  They don't remove access for people using Android 8 when most have moved to 9 or 9 to 10. I hope that you can help me with this, because so far no one seems to know why LG has such a hard time with the themes

LGModerator1

MrMalignance, at this point, I will a complaint regarding this for product improvement. However, I would not have an immediate answer that can resolve this or provide an ETA on when/if any changes can be made.

MrMalignance

@JamalofLG I appreciate your reply. The last update to themes for this device is on February 4th. I can't help but feel as though support for this device has been abandoned. No new themes, no pie update, no new security updates. This really leaves a bad impression

LGModerator1

No problem. Happy to help. Hopefully we can get a suitable resolution to this.

MrMalignance

@JamalofLG thank you. I do hope that you will be able to share some information about support as you receive it. Also, Sprint still seems to be blaming LG for lack of an update to the v30+. Considering 99.9% of carriers have it already, is there a way to make an update to allow us to update it ourselves? I mean Sprint is the only carrier that blocked this ability

LGModerator1

I will provide information as I'm updated. Also, are we talking about the software or the Smartworld app? 

MrMalignance

@JamalofLG: both, but the most importantly the software. For some reason Sprint abandoned this phone, and blames lg. I was suggesting perhaps lg would allow us to update via lg bridge like other devices? Sprint blocked that one this device.

LGModerator1

Will do. I'll provide more information as I'm updated.

MrMalignance

@JamalofLg just checking in to see if you've heard anything at all about an update for the Sprint Ls 998 varient, an ability to allow us to manually update the device, or an ability to receive new themes in the LG smartworld app? It still shows no new update since Feb 4th. There are new fonts, but not themes. It seems like an unwise decision to prevent customers from buying themes for their devices.

MrMalignance

@JamalofLG, I've been speaking with support. Apparently they claim that there will be no additional themes for my device due to it not running Android 9 (pie). They advised me to update to 9... This is insane because between Sprint and LG, they will not allow me to update to 9. Are you aware of any plans for an update to be released?   This is seriously unacceptable. There is zero actual and real reason why themes don't work across recent versions of the interface, and to place blame on me for "not updating" when they are directly responsible for the problem, is the essentially victim blaming.
 I hope you reply to this because, at this point, I'm feeling like support has no idea what they're talking about

SpriteBubbleGum

Im an Android user with AT&T service and unexpectedly an update for the LG v40 Thin Q came out May 14, 2020 and a lot of customization capabilities have been completely removed from LG SMART WORLD. 👎🏾

Once Android users have initiated the systems update and it has completed, all personalization users have chosen for their phone will be set to the NEW default LG has chosen for its user's instead. 

1. The update removes pretty much all Themes from LG SMART WORLD (there are only 5) Themes no longer change the chat boxes in texting and don't work across phone system apps.

2. The update removes the ability to change the background image in texting through the app settings (Only white background or dark mode available)

3.) Users cannot change their chat bubbles in texting through the app settings or LG SMART WORLD ( they are now an obnoxious default green) the recipients' is a grey and cannot be changed.

4.) Changing the Font options are reduced in number

5.) The update removes all Icons from LG SMART WORLD ( users have the choice between 3) none look good

Perhaps this new update was released too soon because it seems that none of the unique features LG usually offers are available anymore and all themes I had downloaded before this update were made INCOMPATIBLE and cannot be used!

MrMalignance

https://lgcommunity.us.com/discussion/comment/21724#Comment_21724

@SpriteBubbleGum: yes, this is exactly what i noticed. Apparently from what Jamal says, LG seems to take no responsibility for the themes breaking. Honestly, there is zero excuse why a qhd screen theme can't downscale to 1080. Plenty of wallpapers can, why can't LG wallpapers? Also the reason why it's so limited is that when the update happens, your phone ceases to be recognized by the smartworld app as the same device. There are no real answers forthcoming from LG. Even the developers seem to not know what LG is talking about. Sadly, they are updating, but smartworld is the one key component that ruins everything, as it decides who can use what theme.

I just wish LG would give us an official real answer as to how a theme would stop working. Given that the bulk of their devices are on a 1080 resolution screen, one would think they'd visually look the same. Also it seems weird that LG is the only company with issues involving themes and ui version