Are you the proud owner of a OnePlus 5T and want to unlock its full potential? Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or simply eager to personalize your Android experience, unlocking the bootloader and rooting your OnePlus 5T opens the door to custom ROMs, kernel tweaks, and advanced features typically hidden from stock users. In this guide, we’ll walk you step-by-step through the process of unlocking and rooting your OnePlus 5T, while keeping things safe and informative.
What Does It Mean to Unlock and Root?
Unlocking the bootloader allows you to replace the factory OS with custom versions or make deep system changes. Rooting, on the other hand, gives you superuser (administrator) access, allowing apps to perform operations unavailable to regular users – like removing bloatware or boosting performance.
Important note: Unlocking and rooting your device will void the warranty and may erase all data. Backup your device before proceeding!
Step 1: Prepare Your OnePlus 5T
Ensure your OnePlus 5T is fully charged and that you’ve backed up all important files. You’ll also need a compatible USB cable and a Windows, macOS, or Linux computer. This process requires some command line usage, so don’t worry — we’ll guide you through each step.
Enable Developer Options
- Go to Settings > About phone.
- Tap Build number 7 times until you see “You are now a developer!”
Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging
- Go back to Settings > Developer options.
- Toggle on OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
Step 2: Unlock the Bootloader
Once your phone is ready, you’ll need to use a command line tool called Fastboot. First, install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your computer.
Boot into Fastboot Mode
- Turn off your phone.
- Hold Volume Up + Power until Fastboot Mode appears.
- Connect the phone to your computer via USB.
Use Fastboot to Unlock
fastboot oem unlockYour phone will prompt you to confirm. Use volume buttons to navigate and power to confirm. This process will wipe your device.
Step 3: Install a Custom Recovery (TWRP)
With the bootloader unlocked, you can now flash a custom recovery. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) allows you to install custom firmware and manage your backups with a touch-friendly interface.
Download the correct TWRP image for your OnePlus 5T from the official TWRP website and place it in your platform-tools folder.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.3.x.imgOnce it flashes successfully, boot into TWRP by using:
fastboot boot twrp-3.3.x.imgStep 4: Root with Magisk
To gain root access, we’ll use Magisk, a widely trusted rooting tool that supports OTA updates and hides root from certain apps.
Steps to Root
- Download the latest Magisk ZIP file.
- Transfer it to your device via USB while in TWRP.
- In TWRP, tap Install and choose the Magisk ZIP.
- Swipe to confirm flash.
- Reboot your device.
Once your phone restarts, you should see the Magisk app installed. Open it to verify your root status.
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Post-Rooting Tips
Now that you’re rooted, the fun begins! Here’s what you can do with your OnePlus 5T:
- Uninstall system apps you don’t need
- Improve battery life using kernel tweaks
- Flash custom ROMs like LineageOS or Pixel Experience
- Automate tasks using root apps like Tasker
Tip: Regularly backup your system using TWRP to protect your data from failed tweaks or bad flashes.
Conclusion
Unlocking and rooting your OnePlus 5T certainly requires attention to detail, but the rewards are well worth the effort. With your phone now fully open to customization, you join a vibrant community of enthusiasts who thrive on pushing Android to its limits. Just remember to research each mod carefully, and don’t be afraid to experiment — that’s the spirit of Android!