Unlock Bootloader & Root OnePlus 6T

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Unlocking the bootloader and rooting your OnePlus 6T gives you full administrative control over the device, allowing you to install custom ROMs, remove bloatware, and use root-only apps. This guide walks you through the entire process, from backing up your data to installing Magisk. Before you begin, note that unlocking the bootloader wipes all data on your phone, and rooting may void your warranty and carries a small risk of bricking if steps are skipped.

What You’ll Need

A OnePlus 6T with at least 70% battery charge.
A USB cable and a computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
ADB and Fastboot tools installed on your computer. You can get them from the Android developer site or a trusted mirror.
OnePlus USB drivers installed on your computer (for Windows).
The latest Magisk APK (download from the official Magisk GitHub releases).
The stock boot image for your exact OnePlus 6T model and OxygenOS version. You can extract it from the official OxygenOS ROM zip or find it online.
Backup of all important data, as the bootloader unlock wipes everything.

Step-by-Step

Back up your data. Unlocking the bootloader will erase your phone completely. Copy photos, documents, and any other files to your computer or cloud storage. Also, note your Google account credentials and any two-factor authentication codes.
Enable Developer Options. On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number seven times. You’ll see a message that Developer Options are enabled.
Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging. Go to Settings > System > Developer Options. Toggle on OEM unlocking (if available) and USB debugging. If OEM unlocking is greyed out, wait a few days or check for a network unlock.
Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer. Extract the downloaded platform-tools to a folder, e.g., C:\adb. Open a command prompt or terminal in that folder (Shift+Right-click > Open command window here on Windows).
Connect your phone and verify ADB. Plug your phone into the computer via USB. On your phone, accept the RSA fingerprint prompt for USB debugging. In the terminal, type adb devices. You should see your device listed as â€œdeviceâ€�. If not, reinstall drivers or try another USB port.
Reboot to bootloader. Type adb reboot bootloader. Your phone will restart into fastboot mode (a black screen with the OnePlus logo).
Unlock the bootloader. In fastboot mode, type fastboot devices to confirm your phone is detected. Then type fastboot oem unlock. On the phone, you’ll see a confirmation screen. Use the volume keys to select â€œUnlock the bootloaderâ€� and press the power button to confirm. This will wipe your phone and reboot it. Wait for the phone to fully boot, then go through the initial setup (you can skip most steps).
Re-enable USB debugging. After setup, go back to Developer Options and enable USB debugging again. Also, ensure OEM unlocking is still toggled on.
Prepare the stock boot image. Download the OxygenOS ROM zip for your device and extract the boot.img file. Alternatively, you can pull it from your device using adb pull /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/boot boot.img after booting to bootloader and using fastboot. Place the boot.img in the same folder as ADB.
Install Magisk Manager. Transfer the Magisk APK to your phone (e.g., via USB or download directly). Install it by tapping the APK file. Open Magisk Manager.
Patch the boot image. In Magisk Manager, tap â€œInstallâ€� next to Magisk, then select â€œSelect and Patch a Fileâ€�. Navigate to the boot.img you placed on your phone (transfer it if needed). Magisk will create a patched file named magisk_patched.img in your Download folder.
Copy the patched image to your computer. Use adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched.img in the terminal (or locate it via file explorer).
Reboot to bootloader again. Type adb reboot bootloader.
Flash the patched boot image. In fastboot mode, type fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img. Wait for the flash to complete.
Reboot. Type fastboot reboot. Your phone will restart. Once booted, open Magisk Manager â€“ it should show Magisk installed and the â€œInstalledâ€� option with a version number.

Common Mistakes

Not backing up data. Unlocking the bootloader wipes everything. If you skip backup, you lose all photos, messages, and app data.
Using the wrong boot image. Flashing a boot image from a different OxygenOS version or model can cause boot loops. Always match the exact firmware.
Skipping the OEM unlock toggle. If OEM unlocking is off, the fastboot oem unlock command will fail or be ignored.
Not waiting for the phone to fully reboot after unlocking. Interrupting the first boot after unlock can cause instability.
Using a USB hub or poor cable. This can cause ADB/fastboot to disconnect mid-operation, leading to failed flashes.
Flashing the patched image via ADB instead of fastboot. The command must be run in fastboot mode, not regular ADB.

Tips

Keep the original boot.img in a safe place. You may need it to unroot or restore your device.
After unlocking, you may see a â€œdevice is corruptâ€� warning at boot. This is normal and will disappear after a few reboots or if you re-lock the bootloader (not recommended).
Use a dedicated folder for ADB and fastboot files to avoid path issues.
If you plan to install custom ROMs, consider making a full backup of your current system via TWRP after rooting.
Keep Magisk Manager updated to ensure compatibility with the latest Android security patches.

Troubleshooting

â€œfastboot devicesâ€� shows nothing. Install the correct USB drivers, try a different USB port (preferably a USB 2.0 port on the back of your PC), and ensure you’re in fastboot mode (not ADB).
â€œfastboot oem unlockâ€� fails. Make sure OEM unlocking is enabled in Developer Options. If it’s greyed out, you may need to wait 7 days after first enabling Developer Options, or check if your device is carrier-locked.
Phone boots to a boot loop after flashing. This usually means the boot image is wrong. Reboot to fastboot, flash the original boot.img, and then re-patch with the correct firmware.
Magisk Manager not showing installed. If Magisk doesn’t appear installed, you may have flashed the wrong file. Re-patch the boot image and reflash. Also ensure you’re using the latest Magisk version.
ADB not recognizing device. Try revoking USB debugging authorizations on the phone (Developer Options > Revoke USB debugging authorizations) and reconnect. Also update your ADB tools.
Battery drains fast after root. Some root apps can cause battery drain. Check for rogue apps and consider disabling Doze for specific apps if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will unlocking the bootloader void my warranty?
A: Yes, in most cases it voids the warranty. Some manufacturers may still honor it if you re-lock the bootloader, but it’s not guaranteed.

Q: Can I reverse the process (unroot and re-lock)?
A: Yes. To unroot, flash the original boot.img. To re-lock the bootloader, use fastboot oem lock (this wipes data again).

Q: Will I still receive OTA updates after rooting?
A: Yes, but installing them may cause you to lose root. You’ll need to re-patch the boot image after each update. Some custom ROMs handle this automatically.

Q: Is it safe to root the OnePlus 6T?
A: Rooting is generally safe if you follow instructions carefully. The main risk is bricking if you flash incorrect files. Always use the correct boot image for your firmware.

Q: Can I use banking apps after rooting?
A: Many banking apps detect root and refuse to work. You can use Magisk’s MagiskHide feature to hide root from specific apps, but it’s not foolproof.

Q: What is the difference between unlocking the bootloader and rooting?
A: Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash custom images and is a prerequisite for rooting. Rooting gives you superuser access within Android, allowing apps to modify system files.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.