Install TWRP on OnePlus 3T: Full Guide

Yes, you can install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) on a OnePlus 3T, and this guide walks you through the entire process. You’ll need an unlocked bootloader, a computer with ADB and Fastboot tools, and the correct TWRP image file for your device. The steps below cover preparation, flashing, and common pitfalls, so you can replace the stock recovery with TWRP safely.

What Is TWRP and Why Install It?

TWRP is a custom recovery environment that replaces the stock recovery on Android devices. Unlike the stock recovery, which only allows factory resets and system updates, TWRP provides a touchscreen interface for flashing custom ROMs, creating full system backups (Nandroid backups), wiping partitions precisely, and installing ZIP files like Magisk or custom kernels. For OnePlus 3T owners, TWRP is often the first step toward rooting or trying custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

The OnePlus 3T, released in late 2016, has a Snapdragon 821 processor and 6GB of RAM. Its bootloader is officially unlockable, and the device has strong community support, making TWRP installation straightforward if you follow the correct procedure.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

• Back up your data – Unlocking the bootloader wipes all data on the phone. Copy photos, contacts, and files to a computer or cloud storage.
• Charge your phone – Ensure at least 70% battery to avoid shutdown during flashing.
• Enable Developer Options – Go to Settings → About phone, tap “Build numberâ€� 7 times, then enable “OEM unlockingâ€� and “USB debuggingâ€� in Settings → Developer options.
• Install ADB and Fastboot – Download the platform-tools package for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) and extract it to a folder. You’ll run commands from that folder.
• Download the correct TWRP image – Visit the official TWRP website (twrp.me) and download the OnePlus 3T image (usually named twrp-3.x.x-x-oneplus3t.img). Make sure it’s for the 3T, not the original OnePlus 3 – they are different devices.
• Install USB drivers – On Windows, install the OnePlus USB drivers or Google USB driver so Fastboot recognizes your phone.

Step-by-Step: Unlock the Bootloader

Unlocking the bootloader is mandatory before flashing TWRP. This process erases all data, so do it before you set up the phone or after backing up.

1. Power off the phone.
2. Press and hold Volume Up + Power simultaneously until the Fastboot mode screen appears (shows “Fastboot� text).
3. Connect the phone to your computer via USB cable.
4. Open a command prompt or terminal in the folder where you extracted platform-tools.
5. Type fastboot devices and press Enter. Your device serial number should appear. If not, reinstall drivers or try a different USB port.
6. Type fastboot oem unlock and press Enter. On the phone, a confirmation screen appears – use Volume keys to select “Unlockâ€� and press Power to confirm.
7. Once done, the phone will reboot and show an unlocked bootloader warning on every boot. That’s normal.

After unlocking, the phone will boot normally. Re-enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking if they were reset (they usually are).

Flashing TWRP Recovery

With the bootloader unlocked, you can now flash TWRP. The process is the same whether you’re on stock OxygenOS or another ROM.

1. Copy the TWRP image file (e.g., twrp-3.7.0_9-0-oneplus3t.img) into the platform-tools folder and rename it to twrp.img for simplicity.
2. Boot your phone into Fastboot mode again (Volume Up + Power).
3. Connect to computer and verify with fastboot devices.
4. Type fastboot flash recovery twrp.img and press Enter. This writes the recovery partition.
5. After the flash completes, type fastboot reboot to reboot the phone. Important: Do not let the phone boot into the system before entering TWRP, because the stock ROM may overwrite the custom recovery on first boot. Instead, immediately after flashing, use the volume keys to select “Recoveryâ€� mode and press Power, or type fastboot reboot recovery.
6. You should see the TWRP home screen. If you see the stock recovery or a “No command� error, the flash may have been overwritten – reflash and this time boot directly into recovery.

Verifying the Installation and Initial Setup

Once TWRP is running, it will ask if you want to keep the system read-only. For most users, swipe to allow modifications – this lets TWRP flash ZIPs and make backups. You may also be prompted to install the TWRP app; you can skip that if you prefer.

To confirm TWRP is properly installed, reboot into recovery again (from the system, use adb reboot recovery or the hardware key combo). If TWRP appears every time, you’re good.

Before flashing any ROM, create a Nandroid backup in TWRP: select Backup, choose partitions like Boot, System, Data, and EFS (important for IMEI), and swipe to back up. Store the backup on an external SD card or transfer it to your computer later.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Fastboot doesn’t detect the device – Install proper USB drivers, try a different USB cable (use a data cable, not charge-only), or run the command as administrator on Windows.
• Bootloop after flashing TWRP – This usually happens if you flashed the wrong image (OnePlus 3 vs 3T) or if the stock ROM overwrote recovery. Reflash the correct TWRP and immediately boot into recovery.
• “No commandâ€� screen – This is the stock recovery’s error state. Hold Power + Volume Up for a few seconds to see the actual menu, or reflash TWRP.
• Cannot mount data partition – In TWRP, go to Wipe → Format Data, type “yesâ€�, and reboot recovery. This is often needed after unlocking the bootloader or switching ROMs.
• Phone stuck on boot logo – If this happens after flashing a ROM, perform a factory reset in TWRP (Wipe → Factory reset) and reflash the ROM.

After TWRP: Rooting and Custom ROMs

With TWRP installed, you can flash Magisk to gain root access. Download the Magisk ZIP from the official GitHub, transfer it to the phone, and flash it in TWRP. For custom ROMs, download a compatible ROM (e.g., LineageOS) and its corresponding GApps package, then in TWRP: Wipe → Advanced Wipe, select Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, and Cache, then flash the ROM ZIP followed by GApps. Always read the ROM’s installation instructions – some require a specific firmware version.

TWRP also allows you to restore a full backup if something goes wrong. Keep the backup on your computer or an external SD card, as the internal storage is wiped when you format data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does installing TWRP void my warranty?

Unlocking the bootloader and flashing a custom recovery technically voids the warranty, but OnePlus has historically been lenient. You can restore the stock recovery and relock the bootloader (with fastboot oem lock) to return to a near-stock state, though the bootloader unlock flag may remain detectable.

Will TWRP work on OxygenOS without rooting?

Yes, TWRP replaces the recovery partition independently of the system. You can use TWRP to make backups or flash ZIPs without rooting, but if you flash a custom ROM, you’ll lose OxygenOS.

Can I install TWRP without unlocking the bootloader?

No, flashing TWRP requires an unlocked bootloader. There is no official way to bypass this on the OnePlus 3T.

What is the difference between TWRP and the stock recovery?

The stock recovery is limited to factory resets and OTA updates. TWRP offers a touch interface, backup/restore, partition wiping, and the ability to flash unsigned ZIPs, making it essential for custom ROMs and root.

How do I update TWRP to a newer version?

Download the new image and flash it via Fastboot (same as the initial install) or use the “Install Image� option in TWRP to flash the new recovery image to the recovery partition.

Will OTA updates still work with TWRP installed?

Stock OTA updates will usually fail because TWRP replaces the stock recovery. You can manually flash the OTA ZIP in TWRP, or switch to a custom ROM that provides its own updates.

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