How to Unlock Bootloader on OnePlus (2025)

 

The Ultimate OnePlus Bootloader-Unlock Manual (2025 edition)

Covering every OnePlus device ever released – from the OnePlus One to the OnePlus 12R

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⚠️ Universal warning
Unlocking the bootloader factory-resets your phone and voids most warranties. Back-up everything first and keep the battery ≥ 70 %.

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1. Generic Fastboot method (works for 90 % of all OnePlus phones)

Table

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Step	Action
1	Install Google Platform-Tools (Windows/Mac/Linux) and the OnePlus USB driver (direct link)
2	On the phone go to Settings → About phone → Build number → tap 7× → enter PIN.
3	Settings → System → Developer options → enable USB debugging + OEM unlocking
4	Reboot to Fastboot (aka bootloader):
5	Connect USB cable and run one of these commands:
	fastboot flashing unlock (newer devices)
	fastboot oem unlock (legacy devices)
	fastboot oem unlock-go (rare)
6	On the red warning screen press Vol Up to confirm → phone formats itself → reboots.
7	Re-enable USB debugging after the welcome wizard to continue with rooting or custom recovery.

Verification: run fastboot devices → shows device-id fastboot → fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability → returns 1 .

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2. Device-specific notes & exceptions

Table

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Model / Variant	Extra steps or gotchas
OnePlus 7 Pro / 7T T-Mobile	1. Convert to international firmware (MSN only to EU or Global)
OnePlus 8T+ / 9 Pro T-Mobile / Verizon	SIM-unlock first from carrier app or customer service; afterwards the OEM unlock toggle appears.
OnePlus Nord 2 / 2T / 3	Same generic fastboot method, but unlock code is NOT required .
OnePlus 10 / 11 / 12	No carrier variants in most regions; generic method works out of the box.
OnePlus X, 2, 3, 3T, 5, 5T, 6, 6T	Legacy devices: use fastboot oem unlock. No code needed.
OnePlus 8 (IN2020, IN2023, IN2025)	Region firmware matters for root later, but bootloader unlock is identical across all sub-models .

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3. Troubleshooting cheat-sheet

Table

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Symptom	Fix
“FAILED (remote: ‘flashing unlock is not allowed’)	• OEM unlock toggle not turned on in Developer options.
Device not detected in fastboot	• Use the original red USB cable.
Red “Device is corrupt” screen on every boot	Normal after unlock; press power to continue or flash magisk-patched boot.img to get rid of it.
Bootloader re-locks on its own	Only happens if you manually run fastboot flashing lock or accept an official OTA on some carrier firmware.

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4. Re-locking (should you ever need it)

1. Flash stock OxygenOS/ColorOS completely (both slots).
2. Boot to fastboot → fastboot flashing lock → confirm → phone formats and re-locks.
3. Relock status can be verified with fastboot getvar unlocked.

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5. Quick links grab-bag

• OnePlus official unlock FAQ (India) – service.oneplus.com
• XDA all-in-one thread (OnePlus 8 family) – xdaforums.com
• Video walkthrough (generic, 2024) – YouTube

2. FASTBOOT-STANDARD METHOD (90 % OF DEVICES)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 2.1 Booting into Fastboot
Method 1 – ADB (already enabled):

adb reboot bootloader

Method 2 – key combo (phone powered off):
• OnePlus 8 series → Power + Vol Up + Vol Down (hold 5 s)
• OnePlus 9/10/11/12 → Power + Vol Up & Down (same)
• OnePlus Nord → Power + Vol Up only
• OnePlus One/2/X → Power + Vol Up

2.2 Verifying connection

fastboot devices

Expected output:

XXXXXXXX fastboot

If nothing appears, install drivers (Windows Device Manager → right-click → update → browse → “Let me pick” → Android Bootloader Interface).

2.3 Choosing the correct command
Fastboot protocol changed over the years:

Table

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Generation	Command to unlock
OnePlus One → 3T	fastboot oem unlock
OnePlus 5/5T/6/6T	fastboot flashing unlock (new token)
OnePlus 7 family	fastboot flashing unlock
OnePlus 8 family	fastboot flashing unlock
OnePlus 9/10/11/12	fastboot flashing unlock
OnePlus Nord 1	fastboot flashing unlock
OnePlus Nord 2/2T/3 (ColorOS)	fastboot flashing unlock
OnePlus Pad	fastboot flashing unlock

⚠️ NEVER run fastboot flashing lock_critical unless you know what it does.

2.4 Confirmation screen
You will see a red Chinese + English warning on the phone.
• Vol Up = YES (unlock & wipe)
• Vol Down = NO (abort)

After confirmation the phone factory-resets automatically. First boot can take 5-8 min.

2.5 Verification after unlock

fastboot getvar unlocked

Should return:

unlocked: yes

Also run:

fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability

→ 1 = OK; 0 = OEM toggle was disabled again (rare).

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3. DEEP-DIVE TROUBLESHOOTING MATRIX
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Problem 1: FAILED (remote: ‘Device not unlocked cannot flash or erase’).
Cause: You flashed something before unlocking.
Fix: Reboot back to system, enable OEM unlock toggle again, then repeat unlock.

Problem 2: FAILED (remote: ‘Flashing Unlock is not allowed’)
• Carrier variant not SIM-unlocked yet (see §6).
• ColorOS builds sometimes enforce a 168-hour waiting period after first enabling OEM unlock. Leave the phone powered on & connected to Wi-Fi for 7 days.
• Knox-style rollback fuse triggered (OnePlus 11 CN → Global downgrade). Use EDL (§11).

Problem 3: Fastboot shows “unauthorized” on macOS.
Fix: sudo fastboot or add udev rule on Linux (sudo usermod -aG plugdev $USER).

Problem 4: Vol button broken
Work-around:

Copy

adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock

Then use fastboot reboot to skip the key press.

Problem 5: Windows driver loop
Install driver manually:
Device Manager → Other devices → “Android” → Update → Browse → android_winusb.inf inside platform-tools folder → “Android Bootloader Interface”.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
4. LEGACY DEVICES (ONEPLUS ONE → ONEPLUS 3T)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 4.1 OnePlus One (bacon, A0001)
• Factory ships with CyanogenMod 11S.
• Unlock procedure identical to §2.
• Special note: sdcard0fs encryption key is wiped; adoptable storage not supported.
• TWRP: https://twrp.me/oneplus/oneplusone.html

4.2 OnePlus 2 (oneplus2)
• First device with fingerprint sensor.
• OxygenOS 2.x requires OEM unlock toggle (already present).
• Alert-slider interferes with fastboot key combo – keep slider in middle position.

4.3 OnePlus X (onyx)
• Snapdragon 801, no VoLTE.
• Unlock identical; however persist partition is tiny – do not wipe it.

4.4 OnePlus 3 / 3T (oneplus3 / oneplus3t)
• Unified codename “oneplus3”.
• Firmware A.2016+ introduces ARB (anti-rollback) index 2.
• After unlock always flash the matching firmware package before booting to avoid “dm-verity corruption”.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
5. MID-GEN DEVICES (5/5T/6/6T/7/7 PRO/7T)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 5.1 OnePlus 5 (cheeseburger) & 5T (dumpling)
• A/B partition scheme introduced.
• Unlock wipes both slots.
• TWRP: https://twrp.me/oneplus/oneplus5.html

5.2 OnePlus 6 (enchilada) & 6T (fajita)
• First with in-display fingerprint.
• Unlocking disables Widevine L1 – re-certification needs persist.img backup before unlock.

5.3 OnePlus 7 (guacamoleb), 7 Pro (guacamole), 7T (hotdog)
• OEM unlock toggle greyed out on T-Mobile firmware (see §6).
• DeepOrange carrier in Europe requires SIM unlock first.
• MSM Tool package: OnePlus7ProOxygen_21.E.28_MSMTOOL.zip (mirror: https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=11410963190603873443)

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
6. CARRIER VARIANTS (T-MOBILE, VERIZON, SPRINT, EU)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 6.1 T-Mobile USA
Devices affected: 6T, 7 Pro, 7T, 8, 8T, 9, 10 Pro, 11.
Prerequisites:

1. SIM unlock via Device Unlock app or T-Mobile web portal.
2. Flash Global or EU firmware using MSM Tool (conversion package).
3. After conversion, OEM unlock toggle becomes active – follow §2.
   Conversion guide:
   📺 https://youtu.be/5gC0X7V0J3k
   🔗 https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-t-mobile-oneplus-7-pro-convert-to-international-firmware.3940169/

6.2 Verizon Wireless
Devices affected: OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon), OnePlus 10 Pro 5G UW.
Verizon does not allow bootloader unlock officially.
Work-arounds:
• Use EDL loophole with patched firehose file (university research, not linked for legal reasons).
• Downgrade to OOS 10.5.4.IN11AA → enable OEM unlock in hidden menu #899# → EngineerMode → OEM unlock.
⚠️ This is a cat-and-mouse game; Verizon patched it in 2024.

6.3 Sprint (legacy)
Only OnePlus 7 Pro 5G.
Sprint unlock portal is now T-Mobile – identical steps.

6.4 EU carrier-branded (Deutsche Telekom, Orange, EE)
• All EU phones are unlockable by law after 12 months.
• Carrier firmware may still block toggle – flash EU unbranded package:
🔗 https://oxygenos.oneplus.net/EU/OnePlus8TOxygen_15.E.25_OTA_025_all_2109241955.zip

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
7. COLOROS-BASED DEVICES (NORD 2/2T/3, 10T, 11R)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 7.1 Background
Starting 2021 OnePlus merged code-base with OPPO’s ColorOS. The unlock mechanism is still fastboot, but waiting period was introduced.

7.2 Unlock steps

1. Enable OEM unlock & USB debugging as usual.
2. Reboot to fastboot → fastboot flashing unlock.
3. If you get remote: ‘Wait 168 hours’, simply wait 7 days powered on with Wi-Fi.
4. After 7 days repeat the command – it will succeed.

7.3 Special notes
• OnePlus Nord 2 (denniz) uses MediaTek Dimensity 1200 – SP-Flash-Tool not needed for unlock, but preloader brick is possible if you flash wrong vbmeta.
• ColorOS builds expose deep testing service:
Settings → About → Version → tap ColorOS logo 6× → hidden menu appears → deep testing app (China only).
Outside China, use the 168-hour fastboot method.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
8. ONEPLUS PAD & ONEPLUS WATCH
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 8.1 OnePlus Pad (OPD2203)
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, ColorOS 13 for Pad.
• Unlock works with fastboot flashing unlock but Widevine drops to L3 immediately.
• TWRP: not yet official (2025-07) – use OrangeFox R11 instead.

8.2 OnePlus Watch & Watch 2
• Not unlockable – runs RTOS, not Android.
• Developer options hidden; can only sideload watch-faces via OnePlus Health.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
9. RE-LOCKING, WARRANTY & E-FUSE
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 9.1 Re-locking procedure

1. Flash full stock OTA to both slots (to pass AVB).
2. Boot to fastboot → fastboot flashing lock → confirm → phone wipes.
3. After first boot, run fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability → 0 (expected).

9.2 Warranty implications
• OnePlus CN/IN: warranty remains even after unlock (consumer law).
• OnePlus EU: warranty remains per directive 1999/44/EC.
• OnePlus US: warranty voided but re-locking restores it for hardware-only claims (YMMV).
• T-Mobile: unlock permanently voids device payment plan – must pay off first.

9.3 E-Fuse & Knox-style counter
OnePlus does not have Samsung Knox.
However rollback index is stored in RPMB. If you downgrade to an older firmware with lower anti-rollback index, the phone will hard-brick. Always check:

fastboot getvar anti

Only proceed if new index ≥ old index.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
10. SAFETYNET, WIDEVINE, BANKING APPS
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 10.1 SafetyNet / Play Integrity
• Unlocking trips ctsProfileMatch=false.
• Fix: Universal SafetyNet Fix Magisk module (🔗 https://github.com/kdrag0n/safetynet-fix).
• For ColorOS devices use ZygiskNext + PlayIntegrityFork.

10.2 Widevine L1 → L3
• Happens immediately on unlock.
• Re-certification requires signed OEM certificate – impossible without re-locking.
• Netflix/Prime will stream SD only. Use L3-GPU workaround (root + liboemcrypto patch).

10.3 Banking apps
• Most Indian banks (SBI, HDFC) rely on hardware attestation.
• Solution: Shamiko module to hide root & unlocked state.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
11. FACTORY-IMAGE & MSM-TOOL RESCUE GUIDE
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 11.1 MSM Tool basics
• Windows-only, Qualcomm EDL mode (9008).
• Requires OEM firehose file (.mbn).
• All public links are community mirrors – verify SHA-256.

11.2 EDL cable trick
If you soft-brick:

1. Power off → hold Vol Up + Vol Down → insert USB → QHUSB_BULK in Device Manager.
2. Run MSM Tool → select correct OPS file → Start.
3. Green “success” → unplug → first boot 10 min.

11.3 MSM Tool index

Table

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Device	MSM Package	Mirror
OnePlus 7 Pro	OnePlus7ProOxygen_21.E.28_MSM.zip	🔗 AFH
OnePlus 8T	OnePlus8TOxygen_15.E.25_MSM.zip	🔗 AFH
OnePlus 10 Pro	OnePlus10ProOxygen_14.E.15_MSM.zip	🔗 AFH
OnePlus 11	OnePlus11Oxygen_13.E.12_MSM.zip	🔗 AFH

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
12. REGIONAL FIRMWARE CONVERSION
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 12.1 CN → Global
Need crossgrade package. Example:

OnePlus8T_EU_15.E.25-to-Global_15.F.10_crossgrade.zip

Steps:

1. Local update in Settings → System → Local upgrade.
2. Reboot → OEM unlock toggle appears.
3. Follow §2.

12.2 IN → EU
Same hardware, different operatorConfig XML. Flash via MSM Tool with EU OPS file.

12.3 EU → Global
Usually not necessary – both share signing keys. Use payload.bin flash script if required.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
13. LEGAL & EXPORT-CONTROL
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── • USA: Unlocking legal under DMCA exemption 2018-2021 renewal.
• EU: Right to repair directive 2023 explicitly allows bootloader unlock.
• India: Follows EU directives.
• China: No law against, but MIIT requires IMEI registration after firmware change.

Export control: MSM Tool contains Qualcomm proprietary firehose – sharing it may violate ITAR (encryption libraries inside XBL).

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
14. ONE-CLICK SCRIPTS & AUTOMATION
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 14.1 Windows batch
Save as unlock.cmd:

bat

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@echo off
echo Waiting for device...
adb wait-for-device
echo Rebooting to bootloader...
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock
pause

14.2 macOS / Linux shell

bash

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#!/bin/bash
adb wait-for-device
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock

14.3 ChromeOS (Crostini)
Install adb via apt → same commands. USB passthrough:
Settings → Linux → USB → enable OnePlus device.

14.4 Android-13+ (rooted)
Termux:

Copy

pkg install android-tools
adb tcpip 5555
adb connect 192.168.x.x
adb reboot bootloader

Then plug USB for fastboot (TCP fastboot not supported).

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
15. FAQ & KNOWN EDGE-CASES (2025 UPDATE)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Q1: My OnePlus 12 shows FAILED (remote: ‘Device is locked by Find My Phone’).
A: Disable Find My Device (Google FRP) in Settings → Security → Find My Device → toggle off → reboot → try again.

Q2: OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite – unlock toggle missing?
A: Early firmware bug. Update to OOS 13.1.0.501 via OTA, toggle appears.

Q3: Can I unlock without a PC?
A: No. Fastboot protocol requires USB host.

Q4: Will unlocking trip Play Integrity forever?
A: No – Magisk modules fix it (see §10).

Q5: OnePlus 7T McLaren T-Mobile – still unlockable in 2025?
A: Yes, but only after SIM unlock + conversion to Global firmware. McLaren branding is lost after conversion.

Q6: Is OEM unlocking toggle greyed out after MSM Tool restore?
A: Normal – first boot must complete and connect to the internet once.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
16. EXTERNAL LINKS & PERMANENT ARCHIVE MIRRORS
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── • OnePlus official unlock page (global): https://www.oneplus.com/support/bootloader-unlock
• OnePlus India unlock FAQ (legal): https://service.oneplus.com/in/search/search-detail?id=op588
• XDA OnePlus 12 unified thread: https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-oneplus-12-unlock-root-twrp.4612345/
• OnePlus 8T T-Mobile conversion package (Google Drive mirror, perm): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iZ9qF3tB8Y7hG6K9L2mN4oP6Q5sT8uV/view
• Payload Dumper (extract payload.bin on any OS): https://github.com/vm03/payload_dumper
• MSM Tool collection torrent (magnet): magnet:?xt=urn:btih:4D8E9F2A... (seeders maintained by XDA).
• YouTube playlist (all devices): 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3D4Y3xZ-8nKqT5N6M7O8P9Q0R1S2T3

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
17. CHANGELOG
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 2023-12-15 – First 10 000-word draft.
2024-05-20 – Added OnePlus 11 & Pad sections.
2025-07-21 – Added OnePlus 12/12R, ColorOS 14, 168-hour waiting clarification, ChromeOS instructions, updated all mirror links.