OnePlus 11 and 11R are OnePlus’s top-of-the-line devices of this year. After a backlash with multiple OnePlus models in the OnePlus 10 series, OnePlus tried improving things again with the OnePlus 11 and 11R. Despite the backlash OnePlus faced in everything, be it the merge with Oppo in software or not being as much value for money as before, one thing that has always been common in their devices is the ease of unlocking the device’s bootloader. Without any further delay, below is a quick tutorial on how to unlock the bootloader of the OnePlus 11
Unlocking the bootloader has been a thing in Android since its debut many years ago. Bootloader unlocking lets you take the maximum benefit of Android’s open-source system. For example, you will be flash a custom ROM-like pixel experience to get an idea of how a pixel phone feels like or install a custom recovery like TWRP which gives you control over the system partitions or install Magisk which gives you Administrative permissions that aren’t allowed by default by the OEM, the possibilities are endless.
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How To Unlock Bootloader of OnePlus 11 and 11R
However, doing all this has its own risks like WideVine L1 being downgraded to WideVine L3 which prevents you from streaming HD content in OTT apps like Netflix or using banking apps. These are things you can fix fairly easily too but we won’t be covering those in this guide. Also do note we won’t be responsible for any damage done to your device or the data in it. You or the person performing this method is solely going to be responsible for anything that goes wrong. Another thing is all your data is going to be wiped so make sure to take its backup somewhere safe. Now that everything is out of the way, Let’s get started!
Step 1: Install Android SDK
First and foremost, you’ll have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC or laptop. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary by Google. Download it and then extract it anywhere convenient on your PC. Doing this will give you the Platform Tools folder which will be used throughout this guide. You can download the tool from the below links.
Step 2: Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking
On your Oneplus 11 or 11R head over to developer options and enable USB Debugging and OEM unlocking. USB debugging is enabled so your phone can be recognised by the PC in ADB mode and OEM unlocking is required for the bootloader unlock process. If you can’t find developer options then enable them with the following steps:
Settings > About Device > Version > Tap on Build Number 7 times.
Step 3: Boot into Fastboot mode
- Connect your OnePlus 11 or 11R to the PC via a USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
- Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
- In the CMD window type “adb reboot bootloader” to boot your OnePlus 11 or 11R into fastboot mode.
- Now type “Fastboot devices” to check the connection.
- If you get a device ID followed by the word fastboot then the connection is successful.
Step 4: Install Fastboot Drivers
Now you will have to install Fastboot drivers on your PC or laptop so it can identify your device in fastboot mode. Follow this guide on How to install Fastboot drivers
Step 5: Unlock the Bootloader of OnePlus 11 or 11R
- Type in the CMD command “fastboot flashing unlock” in the CMD window that you opened from the platform-tools folder.
- Now, you will get a prompt on your phone with two options. Use the volume buttons to highlight the “Unlock the Bootloader” option then press the power key to confirm.
- Now your device will go through a factory reset and get an unlocked bootloader. As it is a first boot after resetting it’s normal for the device to take longer than usual to boot up.
These were all the steps to unlock the bootloader of your OnePlus 11 or 11R. Unlocking the bootloader in OnePlus phones has always been fairly easy and that continues to be the same even after the merge with Oppo which is great news for people who like to root their phones or install custom ROMs.
