Here's how to convert T-Mobile OnePlus 8T to other variants

Carrier devices are a huge deal in the U.S, and for good reason. Getting a device through your carrier via a contract can lower the initial cost of acquisition.

Also, there’s the guarantee that the device should work flawlessly on the network as it’s been most likely tailor-made for the carrier’s services.

Unfortunately, it is not all rosy in such arrangements. First, the carriers often load up their apps onto the device all in the name of tailoring your experience. Let’s agree to call these apps bloatware.

Also, with a carrier device, you move down one level in the ‘software update distribution chain’. You no longer get your updates from your OEM as your carrier has to get a hold of it, customize it then push it to you.

You see how this can be frustrating for device owners, especially in the case of a critical bug-fix update. Such delays can be brutal.

Luckily, there might be a way out. Users of the T-Mobile variant of OnePlus 8T can now convert their devices to other variants.

First things first, this is not for the faint at heart. You’re doing this at your own risk and this will, most definitely, void your warranty.

You will also lose all your data so backup all the cat videos before attempting this. You might also want to backup your working modem and persist, just in case.

You need to know how to use the MSMTool because chances are you’ll end up using it.

This process can convert your T-Mobile OnePlus 8T to an EU, International/Global, or even Indian variant depending on the one you can find a full OTA file for.

The following is the procedure as obtained from XDA.

1. You need your device bootloader unlocked. Follow instructions here (It says 6T, but applies to all OP devices): Link

2. Download the EU Full OTA. Or use another FULL OTA if you have it:
– 11.0.3.4
– Also check this thread

3. Extract the payload.bin and dump the payload
– On *Nix, use Payload Dumper
– On Windows, use payload_dumper-win64
4. Download the script
– Linux (Thanks jwarrior319)
– Windows This script may not work for some people, see this.

5. Execute the following starting in the payload output directory. Boot into fastbootd (using any method, adb shown):
Code:
adb reboot fastboot
6. You should be at a screen that says “fastbootd” on top. DO NOT CONTINUE IF YOU ARE NOT HERE. SEE HIDDEN FOR WHAT SCREEN YOU SHOULD BE AT.
– If you are having trouble booting into fastbootd, and have a FC number at the bottom of the bootloader screen, you’ll need to MSM to factory first.

7. Run the conversion script you downloaded in step 4 from the payload output directory. You can also do it manually:
8. Reboot into recovery, and wipe everything.
9. Optional: Reboot into fastboot / bootloader (not fastbootd) and flash magisk_patched_boot for root.

Sadly though, and as expected with a tweak of this magnitude, there are a few issues with this method, albeit minor ones.

According to the release notes, the “About Phone” screen seems to be broken. This means that the Processor, Camera, and Screen all show “None” as their parameters. A minor bug but one worth mentioning.

The rest of the feedback from users who have gone ahead to install this build on their OnePlus 8T seems mostly positive.

I’m just starting to play with it now, so far everything I’ve been doing seems to work. I also can’t get SafetyNET to pass, so that might be an issue for some.

Source

Luckily, the SafetyNet issue can be easily fixed using Magisk Hide. You might have to use the canary version of Magisk if you run into issues with the stable release as the canary version is updated more frequently.

SafetyNet is fine if you do the global Magisk Hide.
Source

Do you think you’ll be dipping your toes into this whole process to convert your T-Mobile OnePlus 8T? Tell us in the comment section.

NOTE: We have these and many more OnePlus stories in our dedicated OnePlus section.

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