[LG V30 Questions & Answers] ChazzMatt:
Posting this PM conversation here as I prefer to answer in threads so others with same issue in the future can also be helped.

GENERAL INFO

Yeah, most new and "mint" (like new) US998 V30+ on the market right now (eBay, even Wal-mart) are former LS998 which have been converted to US998 by 3rd party wholesalers trying to offload excess LS998 V30+ stock. Basically like our

Frankenstein

but probably done though Octopus box or some mass version of that.

I've noticed they often will convert to US998 but leave on Nougat for some reason. Maybe their Octopus box can't do Oreo for some reason? :confused: To me, that's a half-finished conversion! ;) When I do it, I go all the way to Oreo!

Sometimes they will actually claim "US998" in the listing -- while other times they will say "unlocked V30+" but then list the US998 bands (which are different from the Sprint LS998 bands), so you assume it's a US998. Neither is technically incorrect, nor lying. It IS now a US998, and it does now have US998 bands... The BEST way I have seen is where they claim "UNLOCKED LS998" -- and when you get it, it's of course converted to US998, as that's the only way to unlock an LS998. :)

Caveats with former LS998 converted to US998:

If you use Verizon you would run into issues ACTIVATING a new SIM card with a former Sprint phone. You would need an already-activated Verizon SIM card. That's the only quibble I have with the converted LS998, where the origin is not fully disclosed. It doesn't bother me as I use Prepaid AT&T, but I have to warn others.

Sprint customers can't use it on Sprint, as it's no longer really an LS998. Sprint won't allow US998 (even former LS998) on their network. But advertising an "unlocked" LS998 might be attractive to a Sprint user who is thinking of switching to another carrier in the future or to buy a phone that can easily be re-sold. They should be told upfront it's a FORMER Sprint LS998.

None of the sellers are lying; it's just a hard situation to describe if you're not familiar with the V30.

Recently in December, I wanted a new (original) US998 V30+ with warranty as a backup, as I had given away all my converted LS998 V30+ > US998 V30+. My wife and I have original US998 V30/V30+, but I alway like having a new backup in a box in case of emergency. So, I specifically bought NEW US998 V30+ from online Wal-mart. Or thought I did! When I picked it up at local Wal-mart I found it's new V30+ all right -- but converted from LS998.... I kept it anyway, as I know it will work fine. But this time I was specifically wanting an "original" US998, even though I had bought converted ones before and had converted two myself.

Anyway, the point to all this is yes, you have a former LS998 converted to US998. So, do several of my friends and my wife used one for awhile. They all work fine on AT&T network. Cricket runs on AT&T network, as it's an AT&T-owned MNVO.

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SOLUTION #1

What is possibly the issue is your Cricket APN. Go to your mobile settings and check your APN against this:

https://apn-settings.com/us/cricket-wireless-apn-settings/

You are still on Nougat, so you should be able to edit your APN settings. On Oreo that capability is locked out, but there are workarounds on Oreo and with root you can still edit APN on Oreo, I believe.

SOLUTION #2

Another option you can try is Master Reset. Sort of like a factory reset but more powerful.

With your device powered off, press and hold the Power button and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.

When the LG logo appears, quickly release and then re-hold the Power button while keep holding the Volume Down button.

Let go of the buttons when the onscreen menu appears.

When you see the option to Delete all user data (including LG and carrier apps) and reset all settings message prompt, press the Volume Down button to highlight Yes.

Then press the Power button to reset the device.

Wait until the reset is complete then reboot your device. If it’s able to boot up successfully, proceed with the initial setup.

SOLUTION #3

As far as the SMSC #, not sure why you can't view it, but

the US998 (which you have now) has Hidden Menu which lets you delve deep into various settings.

BE VERY CAREFUL in the Hidden Menu. You can mess up stuff, especially if you try to enable additional LTE bands. Don't do that. In the US998 that option doesn't really enable additional LTE bands, but instead locks you on ONE band (which may or may not work).

I've never had to view SMSC #. I stick in my SIM card and the phone works -- even former LS998 converted to US998. So, I'm not sure that's your issue. More likely the APN settings?

SOLUTION #4

Next, you are on very old version of Android. Nougat. At some point, you do need to update to Oreo as it brings lots of fixes and more features.

This thread below is where the stock KDZ are posted. You can use LGUP to update to newer firmware.

https://xdaforums.com/lg-v30/development/us998-lg-v30-us998-us99820a040330-kdz-t3786337

The other reason I am mentioning this is because instead of "upgrade", you can use an option called "refurbish". Refurbish re-builds EVERYTHING while also updating the firmware. It's possible whoever converted your LS998 to US998 botched something, which is why your SMS doesn't work. Using this refurbish option will lay the foundation again, totally rebuilding your firmware.

After you use that "refurbish" option, then in the future just choose "upgrade".

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Good luck!