How to Unlock the Bootloader on any OnePlus T-Mobile Device

In this guide, we will show you the steps to unlock the bootloader on your OnePlus T-Mobile device. This guide is applicable for all the OnePlus devices, including the latest OnePlus 9 series. When we talk about extracting the full potential of the Android open-source’s nature, different OEMs take different approaches. In this regard, one cannot refute the claim that the offerings from OnePlus are among the most active players in the custom developments.

There are a plethora of mods and tweaks available for this set of devices. Along the same lines, you could flash custom ROMs, install a custom recovery, or gain administrative privileges. The latter is possible via Magisk which would then allow you to flash Substratum Themes, Xposed Framework, Magisk Modules, and the likes.

However, in order to carry out any of the aforementioned tweaks, there is a major prerequisite that you need to checkmark. And that is an unlocked bootloader. While doing so is among the easiest of tasks for the OnePlus devices, but isn’t so straightforward when it comes to the T-Mobile carrier.  But fret not. In this guide, we will show you how to unlock the bootloader on your OnePlus T-Mobile device.

How to Unlock the Bootloader on any OnePlus T-Mobile Device

Do keep in mind that the below process will wipe off all the data and might nullify the warranty as well. So take a complete device backup beforehand. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.

STEP 1: Unlock your SIM

First and foremost, you will have to unlock your SIM. There are a couple of ways for the same,

• You could contact the Support staff and give them a valid reason as to why you need to carry out this task.
• XDA Senior Member mobbdeep might also help you out. You may contact him in this forum and ask for a favor. But make sure you read all the terms and conditions mentioned there before making a request.
• Wait for 40 days as per T-Mobile’s Policy (and pay off the balance, if any).
• Use a paid third-party service, which personally I wouldn’t recommend, but if this is your last attempt, then you may try it out.

Once the SIM has been unlocked, proceed to the next step to unlock the bootloader on your OnePlus T-Mobile device.

STEP 2: Note Down Device’s IMEI

Next up, bring up the dialer and type in *#06#. This shall bring up your device IMEI number. Note it down at a safe place.

STEP 3: Install Android SDK

Likewise, you will also have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.

STEP 4: Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking

You will also have to enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device. The former will make your device recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. This will then allow you to boot your device to Fastboot Mode.

On the other hand, OEM Unlocking is required to carry out the bootloader unlocking process. So 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.

STEP 5: Boot to Fastboot Mode

1. Connect your device to the 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 following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode

   adb reboot bootloader

STEP 6: Get OnePlus T-Mobile Unlock Code

Now type in the below command in the CMD window to get the unlock code corresponding to your device:

fastboot oem get_unlock_code

STEP 7: Fill OnePlus T-Mobile Unlock Application

1. Head over to the OnePlus Unlock Token page and fill in all the required details, including the Unlock Code that you have got from the above step.
   
2. Once done, wait for the application to be accepted. This takes time, sometimes even around 2 weeks.
   
3. Once approved, you shall be notified of the same. You may then head over to the above site and download the unlock.bin file.
   

STEP 8: Flash T-Mobile OnePlus Unlock.Bin File

1. It’s now time to flash this unlock.bin file onto your device. So first of all, rename the downloaded file to unlock_token, so that the complete name becomes unlock_token.bin.
2. Then transfer this unlock_token.bin file to the platform-tools folder. Within that folder, bring up the CMD window as well.
   
3. Likewise, boot your device to Fastboot and connect it to the PC via USB cable
4. Then execute the below command to flash the unlock_token.bin file:

   fastboot flash cust-unlock unlock_token.bin

   

5. Finally, execute the below command to unlock the bootloader

   fastboot oem unlock

   

6. You may now get a confirmation on your device. Use the Volume keys to select the Unlock the Bootloader option and press the Power key to confirm it.
7. That’s it, you may now reboot the device to the OS via the below command:

   fastboot reboot

So this was all from this guide on how to unlock the bootloader on your OnePlus T-Mobile device. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.