In this multi-part series. We’ll explore how to unlock the bootloader of the OnePlus 5 smartphone, each step relies on the one before. Therefore, it’s absolutely important that you not only follow each step precisely as explained but try to understand what it does. In future follow-up articles we’ll look at how to install TWRP Recovery and finally root this device. Things might look somewhat confusing if you’re new to Android modding but it should get easier as you proceed along and get to understand every bit.

unlock oneplus 5 bootloader

Must See: 12 Best Custom ROMs For OnePlus 6 And 6T

Unlock Bootloader of OnePlus 5

Prerequisites:

  • Install Latest System Update
  • Windows, Mac or Linux computer with ADB and Fastboot installed
  • Charge Battery up to at least 50%.
  • Backup (Optional) 
  • USB Debugging (Enable)
  • OEM Unlocking (Enable)
  • Get ADB and Fastboot

Install Latest System Update:

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Get the latest firmware Update available. You can do this from:

  • Go to >> Settings 
  • System Updates  
  • Check/Download & Install the latest available

Charge Battery:

Highly advisable that you fully charge your smartphone. PC should be plugged in too to avoid any surprises. The process shouldn’t be interrupted at all but luckily it doesn’t take a lot of time. Nonetheless important to ensure the battery is at an optimum level.

Backup Files (Optional) 

This process will completely erase all data from your OnePlus 5 smartphone. So everything from settings, apps, music, documents, pictures, etc. If you do not need the data then you can ignore, otherwise back it up externally or upload to the cloud. 

USB Debugging (Enable)

  • Go to Settings 
  • About phone 
  • Tap on Build number 7 times 
  • This will enable Developer options 
  • Go back to Settings >> Developer options >> Enable USB debugging

OEM Unlocking (Enable)

  • Go to >> Settings
  • Developer options 
  • Enable the option ‘OEM Unlocking’
  • Ensure henceforth, OEM unlocking option is active before you reboot, sometimes, it might self disable

Advanced Reboot (Enable)

  • Go to >> Settings 
  • Developer options
  • Then enable the option ‘Advanced Reboot’

Install ADB and Fastboot

  • Download or manually update Fastboot and ADB binaries from here 
  • Execute the downloaded  .exe file from above-using elevated/admin privileges.
  • Accept by pressing ‘Y’ every time you’re prompted by the installer.
  • Proceed until the driver is fully installed.

ADB and Fastboot are now installed on your computer and should work as desired.

Note: Gadgetsay.com should not be held responsible for any damage to data and devices while following rooting and other guides.

Steps to Unlock OnePlus 5 Bootloader​:

So what this does is unlock the door to your devices ROM for modification. That way you can flash custom images onto the primary partitions.

  1. While your OnePlus 5 is still in bootloader mode, link it with your computer via the USB cable.
  2. Then launch terminal or command prompt after Navigating to the directory where your platform-tools or ADB and Fastboot extracted folder is located by pressing the Shift + Right Click.
    or
    You can accomplish this via command prompt using cd  c:\folderpath\. The c:\folder path\ should be replaced with the complete path to the directory/folder. Windows users can find this at C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools, no exclamation marks. Mac and Linux users will have to search because the location varies based on where they extracted their ADB folder while installing the utility, so try searching your hard drive to locate where the platform-tools folder is in case you’ve forgotten. 
  3. Once you find it and your terminal or command prompt is inside the directory, execute the following command. 
    fastboot flashing unlock

    NB: Windows PowerShell, Linux, and Mac users may need to prepend a period and slash (./) in the above-listed command ie ./fastboot flashing unlock.
  4. You’ll get a confirmation message on your OnePlus smartphone and then press the volume keys to choose “Yes“, then follow with the power button to confirm.
  5. The command will unlock your device’s bootloader. Consequently, it will erase everything and your device will show a message saying data is being deleted, it will also restart to the Android operating system once done.

Once here, you need to configure your OnePlus 5 smartphone again by reactivating the developer option and USB debugging in case you want to install a custom recovery such as TWRP. So do not forget to do that. Hope you enjoyed the guide. Look out for the next one.

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