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.

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

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:

Platform Tools (ADB/Fastboot)
- Download: Android Platform Tools
- Extract to easy location
OnePlus USB Drivers (Windows)
- Usually auto-install with ADB
- Or download from OnePlus site
Stock Firmware (for recovery)
- Download via Oxygen Updater (Recommended)
- Or XDA Forums (Alternative)

On Device:

Magisk APK
- Download: Magisk GitHub
- Latest stable version

Alternative Root Methods

For the OnePlus 15 and 13 series, KernelSU is recommended instead of Magisk. KernelSU patches the kernel directly and is often more successful at bypassing the latest Play Integrity (Strong Integrity) checks.

File Manager
- OxygenOS Files app
- Or any from Play Store

Device Preparation

Step 1: Enable Developer Options

Settings > About device
Tap "Build number" 7 times
Enter PIN/password
"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

Power off device
Hold Volume Up + Volume Down + Power
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:

Warning screen appears
Use Volume keys to navigate
Select "UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER"
Press Power to confirm
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	Android Version	Image to Patch	Notes
OnePlus 15 / 15R	Android 15 / 16	`init_boot.img`	2026 Flagships; Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 / 8s Gen 4
OnePlus 13 / 13R	Android 15	`init_boot.img`	2025 Flagships; uses GKI 2.0
OnePlus Open 1 / 2	Android 14 / 15	`init_boot.img`	Foldable series; requires specific Magisk versions for UI
OnePlus 12 / 12R	Android 14 / 15	`init_boot.img`	Transitioned to unified OxygenOS/ColorOS base
OnePlus 11 / 11R	Android 13 / 14 / 15	`init_boot.img`	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2; standard GKI layout
Nord 5 / 6 Series	Android 15 / 16	`init_boot.img`	Latest mid-range (Nord 6 / CE 6 / Nord 5)
Nord 4 / CE 4	Android 14	`init_boot.img`	Mid-range 2024 releases
OnePlus 10 Pro / 10T	Android 12 / 13 / 14	`init_boot.img`	If running OOS 13+, use `init_boot`; OOS 12 uses `boot`
OnePlus 9 Series	Android 11 / 12 / 13	`boot.img`	Check Magisk for "Ramdisk: Yes" status
OnePlus 8 / 8T / 8 Pro	Android 11 / 12 / 13	`boot.img`	Legacy OxygenOS architecture
Nord 1 / 2 / 3	Android 11 - 14	`boot.img`	Use `boot.img` unless updated to Android 14 GKI

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

Method 1: Boot Image Patching (Recommended)

Step 1: Download Stock Firmware

Using Oxygen Updater (Recommended):

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

Alternative Method (XDA Forums):

Visit XDA OnePlus Forums
Find your device section
Download matching firmware
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
adb install Magisk-v27.0.apk

On device:

Open Magisk app
Tap "Install" next to Magisk
Select "Select and Patch a File"
Choose boot.img or init_boot.img
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

First boot takes 2-5 minutes
Open Magisk app
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

Visit TWRP OnePlus
Find your device
Download TWRP image

Step 2: Boot TWRP

bash

fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 3: Flash Magisk

Download Magisk ZIP
Push to device:

bash

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

In TWRP: Install > Select ZIP
Swipe to flash
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 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:

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

Autostart Permission:

Settings > Apps > Manage apps
Magisk and root apps
Enable "Autostart"

Background Restrictions:

Settings > Apps > Manage apps
Magisk and root apps
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

Open Magisk app
Tap "Install" next to Magisk
Select "Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA)"
Wait for installation
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:

Remove all accounts
Factory reset device
Wait 24 hours after setup
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:

Verify correct image (boot vs init_boot)
Check Android version
Re-extract and patch correct image
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:

Open Magisk, check status
Grant root to shell: adb shell su
Reinstall via Direct Install
Clear Magisk app data

SafetyNet Fails

Solutions:

Enable Zygisk
Configure DenyList
Hide Magisk app
Install SafetyNet Fix module
Clear Google Play Services
Reboot

Unroot and Restore

Remove Root Only

bash

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

Flash Stock Firmware

Method 1: Fastboot ROM

Download fastboot ROM
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:

Download MSM tool for your device (XDA)
Boot to EDL mode
Run MSM tool
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

Hide Magisk for banking apps
Configure DenyList properly
Only install trusted modules
Keep Magisk updated
Backup stock images
Use strong device security (PIN, password, biometrics)

Community Resources

Official OnePlus:

OnePlus Forums - Official community
OnePlus Support - Official support

Firmware Downloads:

Oxygen Updater - Primary firmware source (App)
Oxygen Updater GitHub - Alternative download

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

Next Steps

After Rooting Your OnePlus:

Essential apps:
- Root Apps Collection - Curated list
Enhance experience:
- Ad Blocking Guide - System-wide blocking
- Debloating Guide - Remove bloat
- LSPosed Guide - App modifications
Explore ROMs:
- Custom ROM Guide - Installation guide
- LineageOS for stability
- Pixel Experience for clean look

OnePlus Root Guide

Quick Navigation ​

Prerequisites ​

Critical Requirements ​

Hardware Requirements ​

Software Requirements ​

Device Preparation ​

Unlock Bootloader ​

Step 1: Enter Fastboot Mode ​

Step 2: Verify Fastboot Connection ​

Step 3: Unlock Bootloader ​

Step 4: Verify Unlock Status ​

Root Installation ​

Determine Correct Image ​

Method 1: Boot Image Patching (Recommended) ​

Method 2: TWRP Recovery (Older Devices) ​

Post-Root Setup ​

Configure Magisk ​

OxygenOS/ColorOS Optimization ​

OTA Handling ​

For A/B Devices (All Modern OnePlus) ​

Troubleshooting ​

Bootloader Issues ​

Installation Issues ​

Root Access Issues ​

Unroot and Restore ​

Remove Root Only ​

Flash Stock Firmware ​

Relock Bootloader (Optional) ​

Best Practices ​

Security ​

Community Resources ​

Getting Help ​

Next Steps ​

Quick Navigation

Prerequisites

Critical Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Software Requirements

Device Preparation

Unlock Bootloader

Step 1: Enter Fastboot Mode

Step 2: Verify Fastboot Connection

Step 3: Unlock Bootloader

Step 4: Verify Unlock Status

Root Installation

Determine Correct Image

Method 1: Boot Image Patching (Recommended)

Method 2: TWRP Recovery (Older Devices)

Post-Root Setup

Configure Magisk

OxygenOS/ColorOS Optimization

OTA Handling

For A/B Devices (All Modern OnePlus)

Troubleshooting

Bootloader Issues

Installation Issues

Root Access Issues

Unroot and Restore

Remove Root Only

Flash Stock Firmware

Relock Bootloader (Optional)

Best Practices

Security

Community Resources

Getting Help

Next Steps