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OnePlus7 Root.md

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Complete OnePlus 7 Root Process: GM1901_11_h.40

Here's the comprehensive step-by-step guide for rooting your OnePlus 7 after updating to GM1901_11_h.40 firmware.

Pre-Requirements Checklist

Hardware/Software Ready:

  • ✅ OnePlus 7 with unlocked bootloader
  • ✅ Arch Linux with ADB/Fastboot installed
  • ✅ USB Debugging enabled in Developer Options
  • ✅ Quality USB-C cable (avoid cheap cables that cause connection issues)

Downloads Needed:

  • ✅ Magisk APK from GitHub[1]
  • ✅ Payload dumper tool installed[2]
  • ✅ GM1901_11_h.40 firmware (via Oxygen Updater)

Phase 1: Firmware Download & Backup

Step 1: Download H.40 Firmware

# On your phone, install Oxygen Updater from Play Store
# Download GM1901_11_h.40 firmware
# DO NOT install it yet - just download

Step 2: Transfer Firmware to Computer

# Connect phone to computer
adb devices
# Should show your device

# Find and copy firmware
adb pull /sdcard/OxygenUpdater/GM1901_11_h.40.zip ~/Downloads/

Step 3: Create Backup Directory

# Create organized workspace
mkdir ~/oneplus7_root
cd ~/oneplus7_root
cp ~/Downloads/GM1901_11_h.40.zip .

Phase 2: Extract Boot Image

Step 4: Extract Firmware

# Unzip firmware
unzip GM1901_11_h.40.zip

# You should see payload.bin and other files
ls -la
# Look for payload.bin (usually ~2GB file)

Step 5: Extract Boot Partition

# Extract only boot.img (faster than full extraction)
payload_dumper --partitions boot payload.bin

# This creates boot.img in current directory
ls -la boot.img
# Should show ~64MB file

Step 6: Verify Boot Image

# Check file type
file boot.img
# Should show: "Android bootimg"

# Get file hash for verification
sha256sum boot.img > boot_original.sha256

Phase 3: Install Firmware Update

Step 7: Update Phone to H.40

# Back up current important data first
adb backup -all -nosystem

# Now install the H.40 update via Oxygen Updater or Settings
# Let phone complete update and boot normally
# Test all functions work correctly

Step 8: Re-enable Developer Options

# After update, re-enable Developer Options
# Settings → About Phone → Build Number (tap 7 times)
# Settings → System → Developer Options → USB Debugging (ON)

# Verify ADB still works
adb devices

Phase 4: Install Magisk & Patch Boot

Step 9: Install Magisk Manager

# Transfer Magisk APK to phone
adb push Magisk-v29.0.apk /sdcard/

# Install on phone
adb shell pm install /sdcard/Magisk-v29.0.apk

Step 10: Transfer Boot Image for Patching

# Copy extracted boot.img to phone
adb push boot.img /sdcard/Download/boot.img

# Verify transfer
adb shell ls -la /sdcard/Download/boot.img

Step 11: Patch Boot Image with Magisk

On your phone:

  1. Open Magisk Manager app
  2. Tap "Install" button next to Magisk section
  3. Select "Select and Patch a File"
  4. Navigate to /sdcard/Download/boot.img
  5. Select the boot.img file
  6. Tap "Let's Go" - Magisk will patch the image
  7. Wait for completion - shows "All done!"

The patched file will be saved as: /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched-[random_string].img

Step 12: Transfer Patched Boot Back

# Pull the patched boot image
adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched-*.img

# Rename for clarity
mv magisk_patched-*.img magisk_patched_h40.img

# Verify the patched file
ls -la magisk_patched_h40.img
file magisk_patched_h40.img

Phase 5: Flash Patched Boot & Root

Step 13: Boot to Fastboot Mode

# Reboot phone to bootloader
adb reboot bootloader

# Verify fastboot connection
fastboot devices
# Should show your device serial number

# Check current slot
fastboot getvar current-slot

Step 14: Flash Patched Boot Image

# OnePlus 7 uses A/B partitions - flash both slots for safety
fastboot flash boot_a magisk_patched_h40.img
fastboot flash boot_b magisk_patched_h40.img

# Alternative: Flash only current slot
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_h40.img

Step 15: Reboot and Verify

# Reboot phone
fastboot reboot

# Wait for phone to boot completely
# Should boot normally to OxygenOS

Phase 6: Root Verification & Setup

Step 16: Verify Root Access

# Check if root is working
adb shell su -c "id"
# Should return: uid=0(root) gid=0(root) groups=0(root)

# Check Magisk status
adb shell su -c "magisk -v"
# Should show Magisk version

Step 17: Configure Magisk

On your phone:

  1. Open Magisk Manager
  2. Verify both sections show green checkmarks:
  3. Magisk: Installed version
  4. App: Installed version
  5. Configure settings:
  6. Enable "Zygisk" for better compatibility
  7. Enable "Enforce DenyList" for banking apps
  8. Add apps to DenyList that shouldn't detect root

Step 18: Install Root Management Apps

# Install useful root apps
# Examples: AdAway, Titanium Backup, Greenify, etc.

Phase 7: Security & Maintenance

Step 19: Hide Root from Detection

# Configure DenyList for sensitive apps:
# - Banking apps
# - Payment apps (Google Pay, PayPal)
# - Corporate apps
# - Games with anti-cheat

Step 20: Create Recovery Backup

# Keep these files safe for recovery:
cp boot.img boot_stock_h40.img          # Original boot
cp magisk_patched_h40.img magisk_boot_backup.img  # Working patched boot
cp boot_original.sha256 checksums.txt   # Verification hashes

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If Phone Won't Boot (Bootloop)

# Flash original boot image back
fastboot flash boot_a boot.img
fastboot flash boot_b boot.img
fastboot reboot

If Magisk Shows Red X

# Re-patch boot image with newer Magisk version
# Or try direct install mode in Magisk

If Apps Detect Root

# Enable more aggressive hiding:
# Magisk → Settings → Enable MagiskHide
# Add problematic apps to hide list

Banking Apps Not Working

# Configure DenyList properly:
# Magisk → Settings → Configure DenyList
# Add all banking/payment apps
# Enable "Enforce DenyList"

Post-Root Recommendations

Security Hardening:

  • Install AdAway for system-wide ad blocking
  • Use AFWall+ for advanced firewall control
  • Install Privacy Guard for permission management

System Optimization:

  • Greenify for background app management
  • SD Maid for system cleaning
  • Tasker for advanced automation

Backup Solutions:

  • Titanium Backup for complete app/data backup
  • TWRP custom recovery (optional)

Maintenance Notes

Monthly Tasks:

  • Update Magisk when new versions release[1]
  • Update Magisk modules
  • Verify root access still working
  • Check for OxygenOS updates (be cautious with major updates)

Before System Updates:

  • Always uninstall Magisk first (restore stock boot)
  • Apply system update
  • Re-root with updated boot image

Your OnePlus 7 should now be fully rooted with Magisk on OxygenOS 12 H.40, providing you with complete system-level access while maintaining the ability to pass most safety checks for banking and other sensitive applications.

[1] https://github.com/topjohnwu/magisk/releases/ [2] https://github.com/vm03/payload_dumper