The OnePlus 11 device presents an interesting case. Although the early dominance of this OEM continues to evoke nostalgia, the eleventh iteration was met with optimistic expectations. Did it fulfill them? Not completely.

The device comes packed with top-tier specifications, arguably the best in its price range, and yet, it falls short in one notable way—missing wireless charging. This shortfall on a flagship device might not appeal to all users. Furthermore, introducing the new ColorOS ecosystem might not inspire much excitement from mobile enthusiasts.

However, there’s good news. You can bypass the restrictions of Oppo’s framework and customize the OnePlus 11 to suit your tastes. The first step towards achieving this is unlocking the device’s bootloader.

This guide will take you through a step-by-step process to unlock the bootloader on your OnePlus 11. Let’s get started!

Benefits and Risks of Unlocking the Bootloader on OnePlus 11

Unlocking the bootloader opens the gateway to the abundant advantages of the Android open-source ecosystem. It lets you install custom ROMs, flash custom recovery software like TWRP, and even acquire system partition access and administrative privileges by rooting your device via Magisk.

With your device rooted, you can flash various assets, including Magisk Modules, Xposed Framework, Substratum Themes, and Viper4Android. It also allows you to replace the existing ColorOS with OxygenOS.

However, it’s essential to understand that unlocking the bootloader carries certain risks. Notably, it erases all data from your device and potentially voids your warranty. It also downgrades Widevine L1 certification to L3, which inhibits your ability to stream HD content. SafetyNet gets triggered as well, preventing you from using banking apps.

So, if you’re comfortable with these considerations and ready to harness the flexibility a bootloader unlock provides, let’s move forward with the step-by-step instructions for unlocking the bootloader on your OnePlus 11.

Important Notice Regarding the Process of Unlocking the Bootloader

Be aware that the following process will delete all the data from your device. As such, creating a complete backup of your device is crucial before you proceed.

Please note that we at AMS and all associated members cannot be held accountable for any possible issues or losses arising from executing the steps provided, which includes (but is not limited to) unforeseen global events, alarm malfunctions, or any damage to your device or data.

Initial Steps:

1: Install Android SDK

As the first step, you need to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your computer. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary supplied by Google, and it’s highly recommended for the process.

To do this, you’ll need to download the tool and extract it to a convenient location on your computer. Upon extraction, you’ll find the platform-tools folder. This folder will be used extensively throughout this guide.

2: Enabling USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking

The next step involves enabling USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device. USB Debugging allows your device to be recognized by the PC in ADB mode, enabling you to boot your device into Fastboot Mode. On the other hand, OEM Unlocking is necessary to proceed with the bootloader unlocking process.

Follow these steps to enable these features:

• Navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘About Phone’
• Tap on ‘Build Number’ 7 times
• Return to ‘Settings’ > ‘System’ > ‘Advanced’ > ‘Developer Options’
• Enable ‘USB Debugging’ and ‘OEM Unlocking’
• You’re now ready to proceed with the bootloader unlocking process.

Connecting Your Device and Initiating Fastboot Mode

Next, connect your device to your PC using a USB cable. Ensure that USB Debugging is enabled before you proceed.

• Now, navigate to the platform-tools folder, type ‘CMD‘ in the address bar, and press Enter. This will open the Command Prompt.

• In the Command Prompt window, input the following command to boot your device into Fastboot Mode:

adb reboot bootloader.

• This command will shift your device into the necessary mode for the subsequent steps.
• To verify the Fastboot connection, please enter the following command:

fastboot devices

If a device ID, followed by the word fastboot, appears as an output, your connection is successful. You can now proceed further to unlock the bootloader on your OnePlus 11.

4: Install Fastboot Drivers

The next step involves installing the Fastboot Drivers. These drivers allow your PC to recognize a device connected in Fastboot Mode. Refer to our guide titled “How to Install Fastboot Drivers in Windows 11” for detailed instructions.

How to Unlock Bootloader on OnePlus 11

Enter the following command in the open CMD window within the platform tools:

fastboot flashing unlock

• Afterwards, a confirmation message will appear on your device. Use the Volume keys to navigate and highlight the ‘Unlock the Bootloader’ option. Press the Power key to confirm your selection.
• Your device will reboot, and the bootloader will be unlocked. Please note that the first boot may take longer than usual, which is normal.

• After the reboot, since the device has been wiped, you must log in with your Google ID and reconfigure your device settings.

And there you have it! This concludes the steps to unlock the bootloader on the OnePlus 11. If you have any questions or encounter any issues with the above steps, feel free to comment. We will respond with a solution as soon as possible.