I will always recommend that people unlock the bootloader of their smartphone (if they are able to). Not only can you install mods, but it also helps when trying to recover from a bootloop. However, there are times when you may want to relock the bootloader of the OnePlus 7 or OnePlus 7 Pro, so here is how it’s done.
I just recently showed you how to unlock the bootloader of OnePlus’ latest smartphones. It’s something I think everyone should do to their smartphone the moment they take it out of the box. I suggest this because the unlocking part will trigger a security measure and wipe the smartphone of all its data.
Beyond gaining the ability to install mods, I know people hate to set their phone back up again.
So there are multiple reasons why I suggest this. The thing is, an unlocked bootloader isn’t something that everyone is okay with. While you or myself may be perfectly fine with it, friends, family, and many others are not okay with it. So if you plan on giving the phone away, or selling it to someone, then it’s a good idea to lock the OnePlus 7 bootloader again.
Most people here will have been the person who unlocked the bootloader to the OnePlus 7 or OnePlus 7 Pro. So most of this will be very familiar because it’s almost the exact same thing. For those who are doing this for the first time though, be sure to follow along with me in the video below.
Warning – Completing the tutorial listed below will wipe all of the data from your smartphone. This includes SMS text messages, photos, videos, apps, games, contacts and anything else. Make sure you manually back up your data to your PC or in the cloud.
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to Lock the Bootloader of the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro
- Boot the OnePlus 7 into Fastboot Mode (aka Bootloader Mode)
- Connect it to the PC with a USB cable
- Open up a Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, or a Terminal
If you’re using the recommended Minimal ADB and Fastboot program then double click the shortcut it created on your desktop and skip the next step.
- Navigate to where you have your ADB and Fastboot tools installed to
- So you can type out the following command. . .
- fastboot flashing lock
- . . .and then press Enter on the keyboard
- Press the Volume Down button on the OnePlus 7 until the Lock the Bootloader option is highlighted
- You will then have to press the Power button a single time to select this option
- Wait for the OnePlus 7 to reboot so you can activate Android again
And then restore any backed up data you may have done ahead of time.
So again, for those who have done this in the past, the process is virtually the same thing. We don’t have to worry about the OEM unlock toggle step since it’s already enabled and we just have to change up the command we execute. Instead of typing out fastboot flashing unlock we type out fastboot flashing lock.
The change is very logical and will trigger a similar screen on the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro. Except for this time around, you will be asked if you want to Lock the OnePlus 7 Bootloader or if you simply just want to back out and reboot back into Android. And you can’t use the touchscreen again either.
So use the Volume and Power buttons to navigate through this bootloader lock confirmation screen.
You will want to press the Volume Up or Volume Down buttons twice in order to highlight the Lock the Bootloader option. The option that is highlighted will be in blue (just in case you weren’t aware of this). Again, be sure to follow along with the video above if you are unfamiliar with any of this.
Once the Lock the Bootloader option is highlighted, you can press the Power button to select it and that will cause the OnePlus 7 or OnePlus 7 Pro to reboot. A factory reset will be performed and you will be rebooted right back into the regular Android activation screen for OxygenOS.
