Awesome Android Root

OnePlus Root Guide

Root OnePlus devices with straightforward bootloader unlock. Covers OxygenOS and ColorOS, OnePlus 15, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, Nord series, and legacy devices.

Quick Navigation ​

Related Guides:

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.

Device Compatibility ​

Most OnePlus devices with unlockable bootloaders can be rooted. Check XDA Forums for your specific model.

INCOMPATIBLE DEVICES

  • T-Mobile and some carrier-branded models may have permanently locked bootloaders
  • Chinese-market models running ColorOS may have additional restrictions

💡 Locked bootloader? Temporary root exists

On several OnePlus/OPPO/realme devices (OnePlus 13/15, Ace 6T, OPPO Pad 4 Pro and more), the ghostlock-oneplus exploit uses the GhostLock kernel bug (CVE-2026-43499) to grant session-only root without unlocking the bootloader - nothing flashed, nothing survives a reboot. See Root Without Unlocking the Bootloader.

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)

  2. OnePlus USB Drivers (Windows)

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

  3. Stock Firmware (for recovery)

On Device:

  1. Magisk APK

Alternative Root Methods

On the OnePlus 15 and 13, consider KernelSU if hiding matters: only permitted apps see su, and many community kernels include SUSFS. Magisk is still easier, and neither guarantees Play Integrity. See the KernelSU Guide.

  1. 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

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

Unlock Bootloader ​

OnePlus has one of simplest unlock processes.

Step 1: Enter Fastboot Mode ​

Method 1: ADB Command

bash
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 ​

bash
fastboot devices
# Should show device serial number

Step 3: Unlock Bootloader ​

bash
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:

bash
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot getvar unlocked
# Should return: yes

Or check on device boot:

  • "The bootloader is unlocked" warning (normal)

Root Installation ​

Determine Correct Image ​

Device GenerationImage to Patch
OnePlus 10 and newer (Android 13+)init_boot.img
OnePlus 9 and olderboot.img

Quick Check in Magisk:

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

Verified Boot

Always ensure you have a copy of the stock vbmeta.img. When flashing a patched image on newer OxygenOS versions, you may need to disable verity using: fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

Step 1: Download Stock Firmware

Using Oxygen Updater (Recommended):

  1. Install Oxygen Updater on your device
  2. Launch app and verify device name
  3. Go to Settings > Update Method > Select "Full"
  4. Enable "Advanced Mode" in settings
  5. Return to Home tab and tap "Download Update"
  6. Firmware ZIP will be downloaded to internal storage
  7. Transfer ZIP to computer for extraction
  8. Extract payload.bin from the downloaded ZIP

Alternative Method (XDA Forums):

  1. Visit XDA OnePlus Forums
  2. Find your device section
  3. Download matching firmware
  4. Extract payload.bin

WHY OXYGEN UPDATER?

OnePlus no longer provides direct firmware downloads. Oxygen Updater is the most reliable method to get official firmware files.

Step 2: Extract Boot Image

Use payload-dumper-go:

bash
# 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

bash
# 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

bash
# Install Magisk APK (substitute the version you downloaded)
adb install Magisk-*.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

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

Step 6: Flash Patched Image

bash
# 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:

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

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

bash
fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 3: Flash Magisk

  1. Download Magisk ZIP
  2. Push to device:
bash
adb push Magisk-*.zip /sdcard/
  1. In TWRP: Install > Select ZIP
  2. Swipe to flash
  3. Reboot system

Note: OnePlus 10+ devices generally lack TWRP support.

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 Google Play Services, Google Play Store, your banking apps, payment apps and any other Play Integrity-sensitive app. Expand each entry and cover all sub-processes.

Step 3: Install Essential Modules

Recommended for OnePlus:

  • Play Integrity 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"

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

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:

bash
# 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

Play Integrity Fails

Follow the module stack and configuration order in Play Integrity and Banking Apps.

Unroot and Restore ​

Remove Root Only ​

bash
# 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:
bash
# 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!

bash
fastboot oem lock

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)

Community Resources ​

Official OnePlus:

Firmware Downloads:

Developer Community:

Getting Help ​

When asking for help, provide:

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

Next Steps ​