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Install Custom Kernel ElementalX 1.00 on OnePlus Nord

Recently, we did extensive coverage on how to flash AOSP Android 11 ROM, Pixel Experience ROM as well as LineageOS 17.1 ROM onto OnePlus Nord. But the development cycle doesn’t stop here. In this guide, we will show you how to install ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel onto your OnePlus Nord device. Thanks to its open-source nature, Android devices are always known to provide a plethora of customizations.

Once you have unlocked the device’s bootloader, you have literally opened the floodgates to a plethora of customizations. These include the ability to install a customized firmware (custom ROM), replace stock recovery with a custom one like TWRP, LineageOS recovery, etc. Likewise, you could even get access to the system partition by rooting your device via Magisk: with TWRP or without TWRP (by patching stock boot.img).

While some tech enthusiasts are contained with these modifications, others take it a step further and install a customized kernel. And this guide focuses on just that. Today, we will show you the steps to install the ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel onto your OnePlus Nord device. But before we list out the instructions steps, let’s check out the feature set of this kernel and what all you could do via it. Follow along.



What is ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel

ElementalX is among the reputed names when it comes to the custom kernel domain. Incorporating tons of useful features, giving out superior performance, and at the same time providing a longer battery life, well, there’s not much one could have asked for. Furthermore, you could also overclock or underclock the device’s CPU. Likewise, it also enables the ever-popular Wake gestures such as the Double Tap 2 Wake. On that note, here’s the complete feature list of the ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel for OnePlus Nord:

Features of ElementalX 1.00 Kernel for OnePlus Nord

-Optimized for performance and battery life
-Advanced color control (RGB, hue, saturation, contrast, value, K-Lapse)
-Adjust vibration
-Wake gestures (S2W & DT2W)
-Sweep2sleep
-Block wake-locks
-CFQ, noop, BFQ, deadline, FIOPS, SIO, maple, and zen i/o schedulers
-Adrenoboost option
-Option to disable fsync
-backlight min
-Option to disable touchboost
-WireGuard support

Now, before we list out the instructions steps, there are a few prerequisites and some important points that need your attention. Make sure to go through them and checkmark all these requirements.

Prerequisites

  • To begin with, it is recommended that you take a complete device backup to be on a safer side.
  • Next up, also enable USB Debugging on your device. We would only be needing this to boot your device to TWRP Recovery. If you know the hardware key combinations, then you could skip enabling it. With that said, to enable this feature, go to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging. [Don’t Miss: Enable USB Debugging on a Broken Android Device’s Screen? Here’s a Workaround].
    usb debugging oneplus
  • Likewise, install the Android SDK Platform Tools. This will provide us with the necessary ADB and Fastboot binaries.

Downloads

ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel for OnePlus Nord: Download Link.
Credits: XDA Recognized Developer flar2.



Things to keep in mind

Some of the kernel’s functions might not work if you are running a custom ROM. A user running Pixel Experience on his OnePlus Nord wasn’t able to use the doubletap2wake feature. To this, the developer replied that “This kernel is made for stock…”. So it is better to stick with the OxygenOS while using this kernel. With that said, let’s now proceed with the steps to install ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel on OnePlus Nord.

How to Flash ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel on OnePlus Nord

There are two different methods to flash the kernel. You could either do so directly via TWRP or via the EX Kernel Manager app. Since the app is paid and requires root, hence we wouldn’t be taking that method here. We would stick with the TWRP method. However, even then we would recommend you to root your device. The reason for the same will become clear in the coming steps [STEP 3 to be precise]. So without further ado, let’s get on with the steps to install ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel on OnePlus Nord.

STEP 1: Unlock Bootloader on OnePlus Nord

To begin with, you will have to unlock the bootloader on your OnePlus Nord. So head over to our detailed guide on How to Unlock the Bootloader on OnePlus Nord.

STEP 2: Install TWRP Custom Recovery

For flashing custom kernel, you need a custom recovery like TWRP.  So if you haven’t installed it yet, then refer to our guide on How to Install TWRP Recovery on OnePlus Nord.

STEP 3: Root OnePlus Nord [Optional but Recommended]

While you may flash this kernel without rooting the device, it is highly recommended that you root your OnePlus Nord. This is because you wouldn’t be able to enjoy most of the kernel’s features on a non-rooted device. With that said, refer to any of the two below-mentioned guides:

But what about OTAs after rooting your Nord? Well, you could easily Install OxygenOS OTA on Rooted OnePlus devices. On that note, once you have rooted your device, proceed with the below steps to install ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel on OnePlus Nord.

STEP 5: Boot OnePlus Nord to TWRP Recovery

You will now have to boot your device to TWRP. For that, you could refer to our guide on how to boot your device to TWRP Recovery. Or refer to the below instructions:

twrp oneplus nord
Credits: Tracker31 (XDA)
  1. Connect your device to PC via USB Cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
  2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
  3. Type in the below command in the CMD window to boot your OnePlus Nord to TWRP:
    adb reboot recovery
  4. That’s it. Your device will now boot to TWRP.

STEP 4: Backup Boot Partition

The boot partition is where the kernel is stored. So it is always advisable to create a backup of this partition before making any changes. In this case, there could be two reasons for the backup. First off, if you end up tweaking some settings that result in a bootloop or soft-brick, then you could easily recover the stock boot.img from TWRP and bring back your device to normal working condition. Secondly, it will also help you to install OTA on a rooted device. With that said, here are the steps to create a backup of the boot partition.

backup boot partition twrp

  1. Make sure your device is booted to TWRP. If not, then refer to STEP 3 above.
  2. After that, go to Backup, select Boot, and perform a right swipe to take a backup of this partition.
  3. The stock boot.img file will now be saved to your device.
  4. You may now start with the steps to install ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel on OnePlus Nord without much worry.

STEP 5: Install ElementalX 1.00 Kernel on OnePlus Nord

  1. Finally, it’s time to flash the kernel.
  2. So go to the TWRP Install section, select the ElementalX Kernel ZIP file and perform a right swipe to flash it.
  3. Once it’s done, you may reboot your device to the OS. So go to Reboot and tap on System.

With this, we conclude the guide on how to install ElementalX 1.00 Custom Kernel on OnePlus Nord. Do keep in mind that you would still need a kernel manager app to make full use of this kernel. In this regard, the developer has suggested for EX Kernel Manager. So we guess, now is the perfect time to put your Free Google Money to use. Or you could try out a plethora of other kernel manager apps from the Play Store. On that note, if you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments section. We will get back to you with a solution as soon as possible.


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