Mere days after the OnePlus 3T hit the store shelves, a stable TWRP build is already out, paving the way for device owners to begin flashing custom ROMs this early.
What is TWRP?
Team Win Recovery Project or TWRP is an open-source custom recovery image that unlocks an Android device so a third-party firmware can be installed. It also provides a backup mechanism to make the process easy and safe.
Aside from ROMS, TWRP also allows kernels, flashable zips, advanced backups and other mods to deliver a host of possibilities for an Android device. There are custom ROMs, for example, that can completely change the way how your device's user interface looks. Some also allow performance enhancements such as overclocking.
OnePlus belongs to the list of Android OEMs that officially support unlocking bootloaders and some Android watchers have begun calling it the successor to the Nexus line in terms of modding capabilities. Rooting any of the OnePlus devices will not void their warranties.
The recently released build called TWRP 3.0.2, which is now available at XDA Developers, has been the first version for the OnePlus 3T. Despite its infancy, the build is already fully functional and the public can expect it to work with all TWRP features.
There are few minor issues and these include the OTG storage and encrypted partitions. The former is not yet working while the encrypted partitions won't decrypt if you use a non-default password.
How To Install
Installing the TWRP 3.0.2 is easy. You only need to allow OEM unlocking on the device. Once this is done, the bootloader is ready to be unlocked using the "fastboot oem unlock" command. You will be able to do this on a computer installed with ADB and Fastboot.
To flash the image, just use the "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" command. After this is executed, you will now obtain root access, which will enable you to flash custom ROMs.
Important Modding Reminders
XDA Developers stressed that the OnePlus 3T's stock boot image has dm-verity enabled so you cannot successfully boot back into the system if you chose to turn the system modifications on without the intention to root via SuperSU.
Also, it is important to note that the TWRP 3.0.2 does not support OnePlus 3. The developer, called jcadduono at XDA forum, did not provide more details about the outcome but OnePlus 3 owners are specifically warned not to flash their devices with it.
Finally, unlocking OnePlus 3T's bootloader will wipe all its data so do not forget to back everything up. If in the process you encounter a problem, there is a dedicated XDA forum thread that details instructions to help you boot back into the system.
