How to Unlock Bootloader, Install TWRP and Root OnePlus 7T

In this guide, we will show you the steps to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP Recovery, and root your OnePlus 7T device. This OEM has always known to be among the most active players in custom development. By default every OEM ships their device with a locked bootloader. The reasoning on their part is quite simple- they only want the end-user to stick with the stock usage experience that they have to offer. Well, for some that are more than enough. But not for many other tech enthusiasts like us.

When there is an open-source ecosystem like Android, why not make full use of the same. In this regard, the first step requires unlocking the device’s bootloader. This will, in turn, allow you to carry out a plethora of customizations on your device. To begin with, you could try your hands on various custom ROMs or replace your device stock recovery with a custom one like TWRP. This in turn will allow you to flash IMG and ZIP files, create and Restore Nandroid backup, fix recovery bootloop, install Magisk in Ramdisk and the list goes on.

Along the same lines, you could also gain access to the system partition of your device via Magisk. This in turn is possible via two different methods. You could either directly flash the Magisk ZIP via TWRP  or extract the stock boot.img from payload.bin, patch it via Magisk and then flash it via Fastboot. As far as this guide goes, we will be sticking with the former method. So without further ado, let’s get on with the tutorial to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP Recovery, and root your OnePlus 7T device.

• How to Pass Magisk SafetyNet on Rooted Android 11
• Root Android 11 via Magisk Patched boot.img (without TWRP)
• Fix Magisk patched boot.img issue while Rooting Android 11
• Disable DM-Verity or Android Verified Boot without TWRP

How to Unlock Bootloader, Install TWRP and Root OnePlus 7T

before we list out the instructions, we would like to make you aware of the risks of these tweaks. First and foremost, it will make your device’s warranty null and void and will wipe off all the data from your device. Along the same lines, apps like Google pay and Netflix might not function along the expected lines (though it could be fixed: How to Pass Magisk SafetyNet on Rooted Android Devices).

Likewise, there’s also a possibility of the device getting bricked or going to a bootloop state (again a fix is there as well: Unbrick Your OnePlus 7T and bring it back from a Dead State). Now that you are aware of the risks and are ready to proceed ahead, then here are the steps to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP Recovery, and root your OnePlus 7T. Proceed ahead with caution. Droidwin and its member wouldn’t be held responsible if something goes wrong with your device, and also in case of a thermonuclear war!

Just to reiterate the facts, TWRP doesn’t support OxygenOS 11 yet. But since as of now, the OnePlus 7 series haven’t received the stable Android 11 update or even the Open Beta update. you might be running OxygenOS 10 (Android 10 only). Hence TWRP will work perfectly without any issue.

But if you are seeing this guide a few months down the line with OxygenOS 11 installed, and this error message is still there, then you should head over to another guide to root your OnePlus 7T that doesn’t involve TWRP (using the boot.img method).

STEP 1: The Prerequisites

• To begin with, take a complete device backup. This is because unlocking the bootloader wipes off all the data from your device. Even if you have the bootloader unlocked and have just come here to install TWRP or root your device, taking a backup is still recommended.
• Next up, enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking. The former is required so that your device gets recognized by your PC in ADB Mode. But why would you need ADB Mode? Well, it will be needed to boot your device to Fastboot. And Fastboot is required for unlocking the bootloader and booting to TWRP.
• On the other hand, OEM Unlocking is needed to carry forward the process of bootloader unlock. With that said, head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking. [Don’t Miss: Enable USB Debugging on a Broken Android Device’s Screen]
  
• Next up, install Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This will provide you with the necessary ADB and Fastboot binaries.
• Also, download and install the latest Magisk Installer ZIP on your device.
• Finally, download the latest TWRP file for OnePlus 7T: TWRP 3.4.0-2 Test. Credits for this recovery goes to XDA Recognized Developer mauronofrio.

That’s it, these were all the required files. You may now proceed with the steps to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP Recovery, and root OnePlus 7T.

• [3 METHODS] How To Transfer or Install Files via TWRP Recovery
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• [GUIDE] Flash ROMs/Magisk/TWRP/Kernels on A/B Partition Devices

STEP 2: Unlock Bootloader on OnePlus 7T

The first step to custom development requires you to unlock the device’s bootloader. So follow the below steps for that:

1. Connect your device to PC via USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging and OEM Unlock 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 following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode

   adb reboot bootloader

   

4. Once your device boots to Fastboot, execute the below command to unlock the bootloader on your OnePlus 7T:

   fastboot oem unlock

5. You will now get a confirmation message on your device, select the Unlock the Bootloader option via Volume Keys, and hit the Power key to confirm the decision.
6. Your device will now boot to the OS with an unlocked bootloader. If it boots back to Fastboot Mode, then use the below command to boot it to the system:

   fastboot reboot

That’s it. These were the steps to unlock the bootloader on OnePlus 7T, let’s proceed with the steps to install TWRP and then root your device.

STEP 3: Install TWRP Recovery OnePlus 7T

Regarding the installation of TWRP, now that we have the recovery partition, you could flash the TWRP to that partition (to both the slots). However, if you are looking for a one-time installation, then you could just boot your device to TWRP as well. Instructions are both are given hereby.

1. To begin with, rename the downloaded recovery to twrp, hence the complete name will be twrp.img.
2. Now transfer this recovery to the platform-tools folder on your PC. Likewise, transfer the Magisk Installer ZIP file to your device.
3. Connect your device to the PC via USB cable (make sure USB Debugging is enabled).
4. After this, head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
   
5. Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode

   adb reboot bootloader

6. Now if you wish to boot (temporary install) TWRP on your device, then execute the following command:

   fastboot boot twrp.img

7. On the other hand, for permanent installation to both the slots, use the below commands:

   fastboot flash recovery_a twrpname.img
   fastboot flash recovery_b twrpname.img

8. Once your OnePlus 7T device boots to TWRP, it’s time to root it via Magisk. Follow along.

STEP 4: Root OnePlus 7T via Magisk

1. Now that your device is booted to TWRP, go to the Install section.
2. Navigate to the Magisk ZIP file, select it, and perform a right swipe to flash it.
   
3. Once the flashing is done, you may reboot your device to the OS. So go to Reboot and tap on System.
   

That’s it. These were the steps to root your OnePlus 7T. Let’s now address another important point i.e. how to install OTA updates on your rooted OnePlus device. Follow along.

• How to Root any Android Device without PC
• How to Permanently Install TWRP without TWRP ZIP File (only using TWRP.img file)
• Root Android Devices Without TWRP Recovery
• How to Fix TWRP Error 7 (While Flashing Custom ROM via TWRP)

FAQ 1: Install OTA on Rooted OnePlus 7T

Many users have asked us whether they could install OTA updates on their rooted OnePlus device. Well, the question is completely genuine, and the answer is in the affirmative. Yes, you could install OTA updates on your rooted OnePlus 7T. Refer to our comprehensive guide to know the detailed steps for the same: How to Install OxygenOS OTA on Rooted OnePlus devices.

FAQ 2: Hide Root on Rooted OnePlus 7T

As you might be aware, upon rooting your  OnePlus  7T via Magisk, DM Verity gets triggered. This results in the inability of apps like Google Pay to function properly. Likewise, the WideVine L1 Certification of Netflix gets degraded to L3 and you wouldn’t be able to watch videos in HD. However, there is a handy method to hide root on your OnePlus and let all the apps function as it would normally do. This guide shall help you out: How to Pass Magisk SafetyNet on Rooted Android 11.

That’s it. These were the steps to unlock the bootloader, install TWRP, and root OnePlus 7T. If you have any queries concerning any of the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comment section. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.

About Chief Editor

Sadique Hassan

administrator

A technical geek by birth, he always has a keen interest in the Android platform right since the birth of the HTC Dream. The open-source environment always seems to intrigue him with the plethora of options available at his fingertips. “MBA by profession, blogger by choice!”

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