OnePlus Root Guide

Root OnePlus devices with straightforward bootloader unlock. Covers OxygenOS and ColorOS, OnePlus 12, 11, 10, 9, Nord series, and legacy devices.

Quick Navigation

• Supported Devices
• Prerequisites
• Bootloader Unlock
• Root Installation
• Troubleshooting

Related Guides:

• Main Rooting Guide - Universal rooting concepts
• Bootloader Unlocking - Detailed unlock guide
• Magisk Guide - Complete Magisk documentation

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Supported Devices

Click to expand device list

OnePlus Flagship Series

OnePlus 12 (2024):

• ColorOS/OxygenOS 14
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Uses init_boot.img
• Active development

OnePlus 11 (2023):

• OxygenOS 13
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
• Uses init_boot.img
• Excellent support

OnePlus 10 Pro/10T (2022):

• ColorOS-based OxygenOS
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/+
• Transition to OPPO codebase
• Good community support

OnePlus 9 Series (2021):

• OnePlus 9 Pro / 9 / 9R
• OxygenOS 11/12
• Excellent custom ROM options
• Strong TWRP support

OnePlus 8 Series (2020):

• OnePlus 8 Pro / 8 / 8T
• Mature rooting support
• Many ROMs available
• Stable TWRP

Older Flagships:

• OnePlus 7/7 Pro/7T
• OnePlus 6/6T
• OnePlus 5/5T
• OnePlus 3/3T
• Full custom ROM support

OnePlus Nord Series

Nord 3/2T/2 (2023-2022):

• Mid-range with good support
• ColorOS-based
• Growing development

Nord CE 3/2/1 (Various):

• Budget-friendly
• Basic root support
• Limited ROMs

Nord N Series:

• Entry-level OnePlus
• Varies by region
• Check XDA for support

Regional Variants

Global/International:

• Best developer support
• Easiest to root
• Most ROMs available

T-Mobile (US):

• Some models locked
• Verify unlock capability
• May require SIM unlock

China/India:

• Different firmware
• May need conversion
• Check compatibility

Prerequisites

Critical Requirements

BEFORE YOU START

Data Wipe: Unlocking bootloader erases everything including internal storage.

Backup Everything: Photos, contacts, messages, app data, authenticator codes.

No Waiting Period: Unlike Xiaomi, OnePlus unlock is immediate once enabled.

OEM Unlocking: Must be available in Developer Options. Some T-Mobile models cannot unlock.

Hardware Requirements

• OnePlus device (any supported model)
• Quality USB-C cable
• Computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
• 50%+ battery charge

Software Requirements

On Computer:

1. Platform Tools (ADB/Fastboot)

   • Download: Android Platform Tools
   • Extract to easy location

2. OnePlus USB Drivers (Windows)

   • Usually auto-install with ADB
   • Or download from OnePlus site

3. Stock Firmware (for recovery)

   • Download from OnePlus Downloads
   • Or XDA Forums

On Device:

1. Magisk APK

   • Download: Magisk GitHub
   • Latest stable version

2. File Manager

   • OxygenOS Files app
   • Or any from Play Store

Device Preparation

Step 1: Enable Developer Options

1. Settings > About device
2. Tap "Build number" 7 times
3. Enter PIN/password
4. "Developer options unlocked" appears

Step 2: Enable Required Settings

Settings > System > Developer options:

• OEM unlocking: Enable (critical)
• USB debugging: Enable
• Advanced reboot: Enable (optional)

Step 3: Verify ADB Connection

adb devices
# Accept USB debugging prompt on device
# Should show device with "device" status

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Unlock Bootloader

OnePlus has one of simplest unlock processes.

Step 1: Enter Fastboot Mode

Method 1: ADB Command

adb reboot bootloader

Method 2: Hardware Keys

1. Power off device
2. Hold Volume Up + Volume Down + Power
3. Release when fastboot screen appears

Step 2: Verify Fastboot Connection

fastboot devices
# Should show device serial number

Step 3: Unlock Bootloader

fastboot oem unlock

On Device:

1. Warning screen appears
2. Use Volume keys to navigate
3. Select "UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER"
4. Press Power to confirm
5. Device automatically wipes and reboots

INSTANT UNLOCK

Unlike Xiaomi, OnePlus unlock is immediate. No waiting period!

Step 4: Verify Unlock Status

After automatic factory reset:

adb reboot bootloader
fastboot getvar unlocked
# Should return: yes

Or check on device boot:

• "The bootloader is unlocked" warning (normal)

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Root Installation

Determine Correct Image

Device	Android Version	Image to Patch	Notes
OnePlus 12	Android 14	init_boot.img	ColorOS base
OnePlus 11	Android 13	init_boot.img	OxygenOS 13
OnePlus 10 series	Android 12/13	init_boot.img	ColorOS transition
OnePlus 9 series	Android 11+	boot.img or init_boot.img	Check Magisk app
OnePlus 8 series	Android 10/11	boot.img	OxygenOS 11
Older OnePlus	Android 10 and below	boot.img	Legacy OxygenOS

Quick Check in Magisk:

• Install Magisk app first
• Check "Ramdisk" field
• "Yes" = boot.img, "No" = init_boot.img

Method 1: Boot Image Patching (Recommended)

Step 1: Download Stock Firmware

For OxygenOS:

1. Visit OnePlus Downloads
2. Find your model
3. Download OxygenOS ROM (Full Package)
4. Extract payload.bin

For ColorOS:

1. Visit OnePlus Downloads or XDA
2. Download matching firmware
3. Extract payload.bin

Step 2: Extract Boot Image

Use payload-dumper-go:

# Download payload-dumper-go
# Extract images
./payload-dumper-go -o extracted payload.bin

# Find boot.img or init_boot.img in extracted/

Step 3: Transfer to Device

# For newer devices (OnePlus 10+)
adb push init_boot.img /sdcard/Download/

# For older devices
adb push boot.img /sdcard/Download/

Step 4: Install Magisk and Patch

# Install Magisk APK
adb install Magisk-v27.0.apk

On device:

1. Open Magisk app
2. Tap "Install" next to Magisk
3. Select "Select and Patch a File"
4. Choose boot.img or init_boot.img
5. Wait for patching

Output: magisk_patched_[random].img

Step 5: Transfer Patched Image

adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched_xxxxx.img ./

Step 6: Flash Patched Image

# Boot to fastboot
adb reboot bootloader

# Verify connection
fastboot devices

# For newer devices (init_boot)
fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched_xxxxx.img

# For older devices (boot)
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_xxxxx.img

# Reboot
fastboot reboot

Step 7: Verify Root

1. First boot takes 2-5 minutes
2. Open Magisk app
3. Should show:
   • Magisk: Installed (version)
   • App: Latest (version)

Test root:

adb shell
su
id
# Should return: uid=0(root)

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Method 2: TWRP Recovery (Older Devices)

For OnePlus 8 series and older with TWRP:

Step 1: Download TWRP

1. Visit TWRP OnePlus
2. Find your device
3. Download TWRP image

Step 2: Boot TWRP

fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 3: Flash Magisk

1. Download Magisk ZIP
2. Push to device:

adb push Magisk-v27.0.zip /sdcard/

3. In TWRP: Install > Select ZIP
4. Swipe to flash
5. Reboot system

Note: OnePlus 10+ devices generally lack TWRP support.

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Post-Root Setup

Configure Magisk

Step 1: Basic Settings

Magisk > Settings:

• Zygisk: Enable
• Enforce DenyList: Enable
• Hide Magisk app: Recommended for banking

Step 2: Configure DenyList

Add to DenyList:

• Google Play Services (all)
• Google Play Store
• Banking apps
• Payment apps (Google Pay, etc.)
• SafetyNet-sensitive apps

Step 3: Install Essential Modules

Recommended for OnePlus:

• Universal SafetyNet Fix - Banking compatibility
• Shamiko - Enhanced root hiding
• LSPosed (Zygisk) - Framework
• Systemless Hosts - Ad blocking

OxygenOS/ColorOS Optimization

Battery Optimization:

1. Settings > Battery > Battery optimization
2. Find Magisk and root apps
3. Set to "Don't optimize"

Autostart Permission:

1. Settings > Apps > Manage apps
2. Magisk and root apps
3. Enable "Autostart"

Background Restrictions:

1. Settings > Apps > Manage apps
2. Magisk and root apps
3. Disable "Restrict background activity"

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OTA Handling

For A/B Devices (All Modern OnePlus)

Step 1: Download OTA

Settings > System > System update

Download update but DO NOT reboot

Step 2: Install with Magisk

1. Open Magisk app
2. Tap "Install" next to Magisk
3. Select "Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA)"
4. Wait for installation
5. Tap "Reboot" when prompted

Step 3: Verify After Update

• System boots to updated version
• Magisk still installed
• Root preserved

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Troubleshooting

Click to expand troubleshooting tips

Bootloader Issues

"OEM Unlocking" Greyed Out

Causes:

• Device protection active
• Carrier-locked (T-Mobile)
• Account lock

Solutions:

1. Remove all accounts
2. Factory reset device
3. Wait 24 hours after setup
4. Try again

If still grey: Device may be carrier-locked

Fastboot Not Detecting

Solutions:

• Update Platform Tools
• Try USB 2.0 port
• Different USB cable
• Reinstall drivers (Windows)
• Try different computer

Installation Issues

Magisk Shows "N/A"

Causes:

• Wrong image patched
• Wrong partition flashed

Solutions:

1. Verify correct image (boot vs init_boot)
2. Check Android version
3. Re-extract and patch correct image
4. Flash to correct partition

Device Bootloop

Solutions:

# Flash stock image
fastboot flash boot stock_boot.img
# Or
fastboot flash init_boot stock_init_boot.img
fastboot reboot

Root Access Issues

Apps Not Getting Root

Solutions:

1. Open Magisk, check status
2. Grant root to shell: adb shell su
3. Reinstall via Direct Install
4. Clear Magisk app data

SafetyNet Fails

Solutions:

1. Enable Zygisk
2. Configure DenyList
3. Hide Magisk app
4. Install SafetyNet Fix module
5. Clear Google Play Services
6. Reboot

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Unroot and Restore

Remove Root Only

# Magisk > Uninstall > Restore Images
# Root removed, bootloader still unlocked

Flash Stock Firmware

Method 1: Fastboot ROM

1. Download fastboot ROM
2. Extract and run flash script:

# Windows
flash-all.bat

# Linux/Mac
./flash-all.sh

Method 2: MSM Download Tool

For complete restore and unbrick:

1. Download MSM tool for your device (XDA)
2. Boot to EDL mode
3. Run MSM tool
4. Complete stock restoration

Relock Bootloader (Optional)

RELOCK WARNING

Only relock when completely stock. Relocking with modified system will brick!

fastboot oem lock

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Best Practices

Security

1. Hide Magisk for banking apps
2. Configure DenyList properly
3. Only install trusted modules
4. Keep Magisk updated
5. Backup stock images
6. Use strong device security (PIN, password, biometrics)

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Community Resources

Official OnePlus:

• OnePlus Downloads - Stock firmware
• OnePlus Forums - Official community

Developer Community:

• XDA OnePlus Forums - Device discussions
• Reddit r/OnePlus - Community help

Getting Help

When asking for help, provide:

• Exact OnePlus model
• OxygenOS/ColorOS version
• Android version
• Which image patched
• Exact error messages
• Steps attempted

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Next Steps

After Rooting Your OnePlus:

1. Essential apps:

   • Root Apps Collection - Curated list

2. Enhance experience:

   • Ad Blocking Guide - System-wide blocking
   • Debloating Guide - Remove bloat
   • LSPosed Guide - App modifications

3. Explore ROMs:

   • Custom ROM Guide - Installation guide
   • LineageOS for stability
   • Pixel Experience for clean look