How To Guide How To: Unlock the T-Mobile Bootloader

[sin-cal]

Hello all, this is a quick and simple guide to unlocking your T-Mobile locked bootloader. Just a reminder: unlocking the bootloader will wipe your data. The instructions here will apply to all T-Mobile OnePlus devices.

1. Unlock your SIM. Some options here
   1. Finding a sympathetic rep to unlock your device. I used the I'm a developer and need the device unlocked for work purposes and took 2 agents before I got mine unlocked.
   2. Finding an awesome XDAer who has the capability to do it, such as https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...ng-service-oneplus-samsung-google-lg.4231597/ (never used this service, just an example but he seems active and still unlocking)
   3. Paying a (trusted) 3rd party service. I never used them, YMMV
   4. T-Mobile's official policy of waiting 40 days and paying off any balance on an EIP.
2. Toggle OEM Unlocking in Developer Options.
3. Jot down your IMEI with *#06#
4. Reboot the device to bootloader. You can do this via ADB or advanced reboot options in Developer Options.
5. On a computer with latest fastboot and OnePlus drivers installed, run:
   

   fastboot oem get_unlock_code

6. Fill out the unlock application on OP's site: https://www.oneplus.com/unlock_token You should have all the necessary information to fill it out now.
7. Wait for the unlock application to be processed. It can take up to 2 weeks, or even longer on a new device. You can enjoy your still-locked OP9P for now.
8. Once the unlock application is processed, download the unlock file from the unlock site above, save it (as an example, I saved it as unlock.bin)
9. With your device in bootloader again, run:
   

   fastboot flash cust-unlock [path/to/unlock.bin]

   In my example, from the CWD as the unlock.bin file, I would run

   fastboot flash cust-unlock unlock.bin

10. Unlock your bootloader with the command:
    

    fastboot oem unlock

Congrats, your OnePlus device should now be unlocked!

I just wanted to reply and Thank you for providing this. I spent a few hours today trying to troubleshoot getting the unlock code from the phone using a cmd string that was incorrect that oneplus unlock instruction provided. cd “root directory ”> Command: fastboot.exe oem get_unlock_code "" <<< That is what was provided, It brought back an error. Again, Thank you!!!! Unlock submitted and awaitin approval.

 

[tancam]

I keep getting unlock code or serial number is invalid. I copied them from the actual console so i know its correct and i dont see any spaces. Serial number is valid also so im stumped

 

[MushroomElm]

Seeming to have an issue around step #5. ADB Devices picks up my phone no issue. I'm able to use CMD to reboot into bootloader but when I use the command "fastboot oem get_unloock_code" the CMD window says "Waiting for any device"

Is there a step I'm messing up on? Any help would be appreciated!

Edit: Figured out the issue. Had to go into Windows 10 optional Updates and select Google Bootloader Interface.

 

[crumle60]

https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...ocking-service-oneplus-samsung-google-lg-moto.



this is how i did my oneplus 9 pro

 

[cowsquad]

I am glad I came to this thread. I have an appointment tomorrow to buy this phone on T-mobile for $750 off. I will only have to pay $150 on installment payments (It is a requirement to get $750 off) But if they won't allow me to have my phone unlocked until I pay that in 24 months. I won't buy this phone then. I am sick in tired of companies blocking phones that are us.

 

[jruizdesign]

So I have not done any of these steps, I'm pretty sure I had to use a dialing code and an app or something and request an unlock, it told me granted within like 2 minutes and I've been able to unlock since...

 

[glebbeast]

I think I DM'ed lol slightly confused, almost looks like I started a whole new post....

 

[Deleted member 8880810]

I dont know who needs to hear it but I couldn't find this anywhere. If you are still (edit: Sim) locked you can try this out. Go to settings/Apps and Notifications/Press the 3 dot button in the top right of the screen and select System Apps/Scroll down to the App "unlock" and long press it to select enable. Once enabled, go back to your WiFi and Network settings and Unlock may be available, it was for me.

 

[mightysween]

Yeah, I know this is an old thread but thought I'd mention that I got two OP9's from T-Mobile in December 2021 and after the recent absolute disaster of OOS12 I decided it was time to unlock.

I was surprised to find that neither phone came SIM- locked from T-Mobile. Perhaps since the phone is aged-out and is now in the "free" tier (still on installments but with monthly credit) they are just not bothering with SIM-locking.

Still have to wait 7 days for the token, but otherwise no hoops to jump through.

 

[BobaHeisenberg]

Is it safe to flash the unlock_code.bin on my OnePlus 9 Pro 5G while I'm still network/sim locked to TMobile? I was able to toggle OEM Unlock and got my unlock code to submit to OnePlus and received my token from them 7 days later. I'm a Sprint customer but my phone and sim card were purchased from TMobile.

 

[Jed!Master]

why does it say I need 8 characters serial number but I only have 7 even did a fast boot command and came back with 7 digits only. what do I do

 

[Ali Zaman]

Will unlock token work if I get my phone's imei changed? I already have a working unlock token for my phone

Device: OnePlus 8

 

[Mattwmaster58]

btw, you can just go straight to fastboot and select "show barcode" w/ vol buttons to see your IMEI

 

[Radarshaggy]

Just bought my OP9 Pro this am from T-mobile. Bought it on a promo so they were hesitant to unlock the device but I told them I was an Android Dev and travel world wide and not only did he not make me pay it off to unlock it he refused to take my money and whitelisted my phone before even activating it. So to their point above or below, keep trying and you will get someone nice. Or change your story. Up to you

I got lucky too. Mine has been unlocked since day one since I paid half of the total left after trading in my S21.

 

[Radarshaggy]

I have a question. I have a MacAir. With the M1 chip. Do you think that my OnePlus 9Pro T-Mobile vision and my Mac will communicate with each other, in order to unlock bootloader? My phone is already Network Unlocked. I haven't tried yet. Still get my external drives fixed (reformated) again. Been going through this ever since a stalker hacker gave me a virus. I can't find any options for that on my OP or Mac.

 

[geminihc]

any XDA members still doing SIM unlock for op9pro t-mobile? will donate $5! thanks!

 

[bguzz]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but my TMobile Op9p is network locked, but the bootloader unlock option is not greyed out...I can select it and it tells me that my bootloader is unlocked.

Am I now able to load a custom rom on it? I thought network unlock was a requirement before unlocking the bootloader and loading a rom?

 

[samdaman91]

The device needs to be Sim unlocked before you can even attempt to bootloader unlock.

I was able to enable OEM unlock without the sim/network unlock. i can still able to unlock the bootloader right?

 

[CZ Eddie]

Thought I'd give Android 12 a chance and am coming from custom 11 ROM.
I was able to toggle the unlock option in Developer Settings.
But I'm having trouble using my unlock.bin that I've used dozens of times before.

C:\android>fastboot flash cust-unlock unlock_code.bin
Sending 'cust-unlock' (0 KB)                       OKAY [  0.015s]
Writing 'cust-unlock'                              FAILED (remote: 'Error - Verify Failed ! (1:-2)')
fastboot: error: Command failed

Any ideas what's causing this?

EDIT:
Just remembered I'm now on a warranty replacement phone and my old unlock code won't work of course.
I must have never gotten a new unlock code before flashing the custom ROM before.

 

[CZ Eddie]

Okay, how did I manage to flash a custom ROM on my new phone a couple months ago if I didn't have an unlock.bin for it?!?

I can't remember how I managed to do that.
I can toggle the unlock in Developer Options but I'm not able to do the fastboot unlock thing because it wants a .bin.