[OP8][OOS VIS 68CE] Unbrick tool to restore your device to OxygenOS

[Some_Random_Username]

Disclaimer: By attempting any of the processes listed in this thread you accept full responsibility for your actions. I will not be held responsible if your device stops working, catches fire, or turns into a hipster and claims to have been modified before it was cool.

Hi everyone, similar to the previous threads for
OP3, OP3T, OP5, OP5T, OP6, OP6T, OP7, OP7PRO, regular OP7T, T-Mobile OP7T, regular OP7TPRO, T-Mobile OP7TPro 5G, regular OP8, T-Mobile OP8, Verizon OP8, OP8Pro, OP Nord and OP 8T here are the EDL packages (also known as MSM tools or unbrick tools) that can revive a bricked OnePlus 8 bought from Visible.

It will only work with Visible variant IN2015 with build tag IN68CE

You should also be able to rollback your phone to a previous release of OOS with them if for some reason you want to go back to an older firmware

You can download the following versions:

ANDROID 10:

OOS 10.5.4

Mirror for first and last MSMs: https://onepluscommunityserver.com/

Instructions:

Launch MsmDownloadTool V4.0.exe.

On the login prompt select "Other" in the dropdown menu and click on Next.
Wait a few seconds until main window shows up.

Click on Target button and select Verizon.
Press Start button so that it waits for your device to be connected
Power off your device
Maintain volume up and down buttons to get into Qualcomm EDL mode.
Plug your device to your computer.

Should you not manage to do that and have adb access, you can use adb reboot edl instead

Wait ~300 seconds.
Enjoy your brand new device.

FAQ:

Does this work on Mac or on Linux?

Unfortunately no, tool is Windows only. You should need at least Windows 7.

Why is my antivirus freaking out when unzipping the archive or running the tool?

In an effort to protect reverse engineering from being done (and by extension prevent conversion process like it was done on 6T and 7Pro), OnePlus now use VM Protect V3 in their MSM tools. As this tries to detect debug environment, this is seen as malicious behaviour by some antivirus.

My device isn't detected

Go to device manager and make sure your phone shows up as QDLOADER 9008.
If it shows up as QHUSB_BULK, it means Qualcomm driver wasn't installed automatically by Windows Update. Download the latest one from Microsoft website at http://download.windowsupdate.com/c..._fba473728483260906ba044af3c063e309e6259d.cab (source https://www.catalog.update.microsof...updateid=8ee52ba0-bdef-4009-88cf-335a678dd67a ) and install it manually by right clicking on QHUSB_BULK and selecting "Update driver software" and "Browse my computer for driver software" to where you downloaded CAB file.

If you can't get into EDL mode by hardware keys, you may use adb reboot edl (will require your phone to still have ADB access)

MSM tool is stuck on "Param pre-processing"

Ensure you're using the Qualcomm drivers linked above.

MSM tool is stuck on "Sahara communication failed"

Unplug your phone, get in fastboot mode, turn off phone, wait 15 secondes and get back in Qualcomm EDL mode. You can also try using a USB 2.0 port instead of a 3.0 one.

What is SMT Download mode?

Just don't try to unlock that mode, it will wipe your IMEI and your Widevine certificate if you use it.

How can I fix "SMT config not found" error?

Please refer to https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=83448961&postcount=61

Credits:

Votton for providing a server as an alternative mirror
OnePlus for the device and OS

 

[Some_Random_Username]

Please note this is a blind release, I haven't been able to find anyone with a Visible variant to test it unlike T-Mobile and Verizon

 

[lee_d]

I can confirm that your release of the visible variant works, and thank God for that! I found it via "thecustomdroid" linking all of the OnePlus 8 variants together on one page (with credit ). I didn't realize that model IN2015 (apparently) doesn't mean IN2015, so I started dumping every ROM I could find onto this thing attempting to get on anything that was not-stock. And every time it failed, every qualcomm crash dump, etc. etc., I was able to successfully MSM back to "Go" thanks to this.
Moral of the story, Visible uses a special OnePlus 8 and this definitely works to get you back when you try to shove a square, global peg into a round, visible hole.

 

[KnowNadda]

Please note this is a blind release, I haven't been able to find anyone with a Visible variant to test it unlike T-Mobile and Verizon

I am one of the unfortunate souls cursed with the Visible variant. I have used this MSM tool a couple of times to recover from failed boots after rooting and flashing.

I bought it open box on eBay where nothing related to Visible was disclosed by the volume phone reseller. To be fair, unless they knew something about this model, there is no physical indication on the phone that it is not a standard Oneplus 8.

I only discovered it after closing my eBay return request because it was listed as a 256gb but only 128gb. The first software update to A11 from the latest available, year old 10.5.4 release was announced for this week (April 23).

The device has no carrier bloatware or even carrier specific software apparent. I fail to understand this model's existence especially since it is not the same as the Verizon specific millimeter wave 5g model, is not SIM or bootloader locked (I'm rooted and use a TMo MVNO), and I question how many units Visible can sell of this model.

Has anyone figured out if any file changes can be made so Oxygen updater will see this as a regular IN2015? With Visible's A11 release a couple of days away, I will give OOS 11 a test drive before I try any more fastboot flashing.

I will likely try out AOSP, Pixel Experience or something else less likely to keep me a year behind in the future. For all I know this will be Visible's only OP8 update. I am on Sep 1, 2020 security patch with Android 10.5.4. Oneplus has OP7 models running more recent software than this.

 

[KnowNadda]

The alleged Android 11 release date for this hobbled hardware will be a week late tomorrow. Nadda. Still on year old 10.5.4 with September security patch. Older Oneplus models have more current OOS. Verizon/Visible is the worst at phone support. Would have been better off with a 7T or if the pristine 7 Pro I bought (for less) had not had a blocked IMEI.

Despite being rooted I cannot even flash any A11 ROM until I have a bootable OOS 11 as base. I am rooted and fastboot flashed 10.5.11 global which booted but would not recognize my SIM. Setting Oxygen Updater to OP8 (non Visible) I was able to download OOS 11 but after seemingly successful flashing it would not boot.

Overpaid for this abandoned oddball. Wonder if I can find a Octopus box guru who can convert it.

 

[KnowNadda]

Finally!

Now on Oxygen 11.10.0, March 2021 security update (better than September) and Magisk patched.

When the OOS11 files for the MSM tool are available I can try out some other ROMs at some point and see if I can fastboot flash OOS international version working on this thing. Also ordered an EDL cable since it took me hours to get into EDL mode the last time I needed to MSM to 10.5.4.