Are you looking to take full control of your OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro? Unlocking the OEM is a crucial step to open up options like installing custom ROMs or rooting your device. But how do you make sure you’re doing it right without risking your device? Don’t worry, this guide will walk you through the whole process in simple, clear steps. Whether you’re using the global version or the T-Mobile model, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Before we dive in, here’s what you need to know to make sure your device is ready:
- Device Compatibility: This guide works for both OnePlus 9 (LE2115) and OnePlus 9 Pro models, including global, carrier-unlocked, and T-Mobile variants.
- Backup Your Data: When you unlock the OEM, it erases all your phone’s data. So, be sure to back everything up using the OnePlus Clone Phone app or Google Backup.
- Battery Level: Make sure your phone has at least 70% battery before you start to avoid any issues during the process.
OEM Unlock for Global and Carrier-Unlocked OnePlus 9/9 Pro
Ready to get started? Here’s the simple way to unlock the OEM on your global or carrier-unlocked OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro.
Enable Developer Options
We need to start by turning on Developer Options so you can access the necessary settings.
- Open Settings > About Phone.
- Scroll down to Build Number and tap it 7 times. You’ll see a message that says, “You are now a developer.”
- Go back to Settings, and you’ll find Developer Options under System or Additional Settings.
Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging
Once you’ve got Developer Options enabled, we need to make a few changes to allow the OEM to be unlocked.
- In Developer Options, turn on OEM Unlocking and confirm the warning.
- Scroll down and also turn on USB Debugging.
Connect Your Phone to a Computer
Now, it’s time to connect your phone to your computer. Make sure your computer has ADB and Fastboot Drivers installed.
- Plug in your phone using a USB cable.
- Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) on your computer and type:
adb devicesThis checks that your phone is connected properly.
Reboot into Fastboot Mode
Next, let’s get your phone into Fastboot mode.
- In Command Prompt or Terminal, type:
adb reboot bootloader
Unlock the OEM
Now that your phone is in Fastboot mode, we can go ahead and unlock it.
- In the terminal, type:
fastboot oem unlock - Confirm the process on your phone by using the volume keys to highlight “Unlock the Bootloader” and press the power button to select it.
- Your phone will restart, and all your data will be erased.
OEM Unlock for T-Mobile OnePlus 9/9 Pro
Unlocking the T-Mobile version of the OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro requires an extra tool, but it’s still pretty straightforward.
Backup Your Data
Just like before, make sure to back up your data using OnePlus Clone Phone or Google Backup. Once the process is done, everything will be wiped from your phone.
Install the MSM Tool
You’ll need the MSM Tool to unlock the T-Mobile version. Download and install it on your computer.
Enable Developer Options, OEM Unlocking, and USB Debugging
Follow the steps from the global method above to enable Developer Options, OEM Unlocking, and USB Debugging.
Use MSM Tool in EDL Mode
- Power off your phone.
- Press Volume Up + Volume Down together while connecting it to your computer using a USB cable. This will boot your phone into EDL mode.
- Open the MSM Tool on your computer and click Start. The tool will take care of the process and reboot your phone a few times.
Finalize OEM Unlock
- Reboot into Fastboot mode by typing:
adb reboot bootloader - Then type the following in Fastboot mode:
fastboot oem unlock - Confirm the action on your phone, and you’re good to go!
Keeping HD Streaming (Widevine L1)
After unlocking the OEM, you might lose the ability to stream HD content on apps like Netflix. But there’s a way to keep this feature. If HD streaming is important to you, Magisk is your best friend. By installing Magisk and setting it up properly, you can ensure that you keep Widevine L1 (which is required for HD streaming).
Following these steps, you can safely unlock the OEM on your OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro. Now you have more control over your phone, whether you’re looking to install a custom ROM, root the device, or just explore more advanced options.