How to Unlock the Bootloader and Root the OnePlus 6T

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OnePlus devices are always well supported by the development community. With OnePlus 6T kernel sources available on the day of release combined with the company previously providing OnePlus 6 devices to developers on our forums, it’s generally always an easy process to unlock and root a OnePlus smartphone. The OnePlus 6T is no different (unless you’re using the T-Mobile edition) so you can easily unlock its bootloader and root it. We’ve detailed the entire process for you if you’re interested, just be aware that the process will wipe your phone! We’ll be using TWRP for the custom recovery and Magisk for managing root access.

How to Unlock the Bootloader and Root the OnePlus 6T

Step 1 – Enable OEM unlocking

You need to enable OEM unlocking, which can be done by enabling the developer settings on your device. To do so, go to Settings, About phone and repeatedly tap Build number. Developer options will then be added to your system settings, where you can then enable OEM unlocking.

Step 2 – Unlock your phone

Set up adb, reboot into your bootloader and run the following command. Yes, it’s really that simple!

fastboot oem unlock

You can reboot into the bootloader by switching on USB debugging, setting up adb and fastboot and typing “adb reboot bootloader”. Alternatively, you can hold volume down and the power button to boot up your device. USB debugging is also located under the developer options.

Step 3 – Boot TWRP and flash it and Magisk

Because the OnePlus 6T uses an A/B partition system, flashing a custom recovery is a little bit more complicated than on an A-only device. You can read more about A/B devices here. You’ll need to download the latest version of blu_spark TWRP for OxygenOS ROMs, which you can download below. You need to download both the zip file and the img file. We need the zip file as we’ll be flashing this later.

blu_spark TWRP for the OnePlus 6T

Download Magisk

Type the following while your device is in its bootloader, accessing it the same way as we did previously.

fastboot boot twrp-3.2.3-x_blu_spark_v9.86_op6.img

Once it boots up, go to Advanced, ADB sideload and type the following.

adb sideload twrp-3.2.3-x_blu_spark_v9.86_op6.zip

Now, reboot to recovery again (from within TWRP). Now flash the Magisk zip file the exact same way.

adb sideload Magisk-v17.3.zip

Reboot into your device’s system and you’re done!

For those of you who are reading this tutorial a few weeks or months down the road, take note that newer versions of the TWRP image may be available. If that’s the case, just change the “fastboot boot” command to include the name of the newer image you downloaded.

For those with a OnePlus 6T bought through T-Mobile

If your OnePlus 6T was bought through T-Mobile, then you will only be able to unlock your device after you’ve paid it off in its entirety and used it on T-Mobile’s network for forty days. After that, you can unlock the bootloader through OnePlus’ online form. Next, follow the following steps to unlock your bootloader.

Step 1 – Enable OEM unlocking

You need to enable OEM unlocking, which can be done by enabling the developer settings on your device. To do so, go to Settings, About phone and repeatedly tap Build number. Developer options will then be added to your system settings, where you can then enable OEM unlocking.

Step 2 – Get your IMEI

Get your phone’s IMEI by dialing *#06# in your phone’s dialer. The IMEI code will show up. You need this for T-Mobile’s form later on.

Step 3 – Get your unlock code

Reboot into fastboot mode on your device. You can reboot into the bootloader by switching on USB debugging, setting up adb and fastboot and typing “adb reboot bootloader”. USB debugging is also located under the developer options. Alternatively, you can hold volume down and the power button to boot up your device. Next type “fastboot oem get_unlock_code”. Take this code down, as you’ll also need it for T-Mobile’s online form.

Step 4 – Fill out the online form and flash your token

This is where you will need to enter your IMEI code and your unlock code. Once you submit it, you should receive a flashable unlock token within two weeks. You can flash it with “fastboot flash cust-unlock <unlock_token.bin>”

Step 5 – Unlock and root

Now you can just unlock your phone the exact same way as regular OnePlus 6Ts! Simply just type “fastboot oem unlock” and you’re good to go! Now you can follow the steps for a regular, unlocked OnePlus 6T to root your device. Those are detailed above.

Wondering what you should do after unlocking the bootloader and rooting your OnePlus 6T? Join our forums for all the mods, custom kernels, and custom ROMs when they’re available!

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