Unlocking The OnePlus 7T Bootloader (Global and T-Mobile)

Source from CNET

Unlocking The OnePlus 7T Bootloader (Global and T-Mobile)

Unlocking the bootloader of any Android device is the first step you’re supposed to take to begin fully customizing your device. It not only unlocks the bootloader, but allows much more freedom over your devices software, boot animation, and carrier. There’s also the added plus of being able to root the device to gain access to even more goodies. This article will help OnePlus 7T users unlock the bootloader of their Global and T-Mobile variant devices. It’s a much simpler process for the Global variant because you don’t have to wait for anything, you pretty much just type a few things into the command line and reboot. However, the process can take up to two weeks for T-Mobile variants. So, bookmark this page on your desktop browser and let's get started!

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PLEASE NOTE! UNLOCKING YOUR BOOTLOADER WILL CAUSE A FACTORY RESTART AS SOON AS YOU BOOT IT. PLEASE BACKUP ALL OF YOUR DATA BEFORE PROCEEDING.

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PREREQUISITES

1. Download platform-tools for your computer (available for Windows, Linux and Mac) and extract it either to your root Home folder or your Downloads folder. If you have a Chromebook, you can still do this, but you may need to either issue the commands via crosh or download the Linux Terminal within Settings. No guarantees though!

2. Enable developer mode (Settings > Build Number (press 5 times)

3. Enable OEM Unlocking (Settings > System > Developer Options > OEM Unlocking)

4. Enable USB Debugging (Settings > System > Developer Options > USB Debugging)

Global Devices

1. Open CMD as Administrator (search CMD > right click > run as administrator) or open Terminal (Linux and Mac)

2. Navigate to the folder where you extracted platform-tools

      a. Linux (Home folder) = cd ~/platform-tools

      b. Linux and Mac (Downloads folder) = cd ~/Downloads/platform-tools

      c. Windows (Downloads folder) = cd C:/Users/USERNAME/Downloads/platform-tools

3. Next, type “adb reboot bootloader”

      a. If this command does not work on Windows, type “adb.exe reboot bootloader”

4. Once the device reboots, type “fastboot oem unlock”

      a. Again, if that command does not work on Windows, type .exe at the end of fastboot

The device will wipe all data and then reboot!

T-Mobile Devices 

1. SIM Unlock the device (this does not factory reset the device or leave you without Netflix or Google Pay)

     a. To be able to do this through the Unlock app, ensure you have been with T-Mobile for 40 days or more and have fully paid off your device. Navigate to the Unlock app and select Permanent unlock.

     b. If you have not fully paid off the device, message mobbdeep on XDA requesting for an unlock for your OnePlus 7T, give them the associated phone number and account holder’s last name. Wait three days and he should get back to you by then. Here’s a link to the post for more information. He will send further instruction. Once his instructions are done, follow the next step.

2. Open platform-tools within CMD or Terminal

     a. Linux (Home folder) = cd ~/platform-tools

     b. Linux and Mac (Downloads folder) = cd ~/Downloads/platform-tools

     c. Windows (Downloads folder) = cd C:/Users/USERNAME/Downloads/platform-tools

3. Next, type “adb reboot bootloader”

     a. If this command does not work on Windows, type “adb.exe reboot bootloader”

4. Once it’s on again, type “fastboot oem get_unlock_code”

     a. Try fastboot.exe if Windows does not work

5. Copy the output from the command line into a new .txt document (Notepad, TextEdit, Gedit, whichever you prefer) Also, turn the device back on (press the power button) as this process will take a week. 

6. Go to this link and select your device, input your email, and copy the unlock code. 

7. To get your IMEI, you can either 

    a. Dial *#06#

    b. Look at the back of the phone (Near the OnePlus Logo at the bottom)

    c. Settings > About Phone > Status

8. Check the box and select submit. Within the next week or two, you will receive an email with two files. One of those files will help unlock the device. Download it to your Downloads folder, open the folder in CMD or Terminal or CD to it, and type = “adb reboot bootloader” and then “fastboot flash cust_unlock unlock_token.bin”

9. When that’s done, type “fastboot oem unlock” and then the device will wipe the device and reboot. You will not have access to Google Pay, banking apps, or Netflix.

Congratulations! You have successfully unlocked your bootloader. How do you feel? Pretty great? Are you ready for the next steps: gaining root and flashing custom ROMs?

If you had any problems, please reach out to XDA or email me at kyrangoug2019@gmail.com and either way someone will try to help you the best they can.