OnePlus devices utilize Anti-Rollback (ARB) mechanisms to prevent users from flashing older, insecure versions of the operating system. Messing with ARB indices can lead to a hard brick—a state where the phone is unrecoverable.
Flashing the unlock token is the safest way to bypass the bootloader lock without inadvertently triggering an ARB fuse. It is the method trusted by XDA Developers and senior members of the community because it carries the lowest risk of corrupting the critical partition data. It is the "better" choice because it prioritizes the safety of your hardware over a quick shortcut.
If you have followed the official process and still see the error, try these fixes:
| Problem | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| Token flash says FAILED (remote: 'token verification failed') | Your token is for a different IMEI. Redo step 2 and ensure you copied the full identifier token. |
| fastboot flashing unlock still asks for token after flashing | You must reboot the bootloader after flashing token: fastboot reboot bootloader then try unlock again. |
| OEM unlocking grayed out in Developer Options | Insert an active SIM, connect to Wi-Fi for 1 hour, then check again. Carrier-locked phones cannot unlock. |
| OnePlus token site returns 404 | Use VPN to USA or India region. Or try the MSM downgrade method (Method #2 above). |
Reboot to fastboot and run:
fastboot flash unlock_token Unlock_token.bin
If you try to run fastboot oem unlock on a device that requires an official token without having flashed it, you might see: please flash unlock token first oneplus better
FAILED (remote: 'Please flash unlock token first')
or variations like:
Why is this not better? Because the process is slow, opaque, and often fails. OnePlus’s token server has been down for weeks at a time. Users in certain regions cannot access the site. Worse, OxygenOS 13 and 14 introduced a mandatory 7-day waiting period after inserting a SIM—even after you receive the token.
Thus, when users search for "please flash unlock token first oneplus better", they are really asking: “How do I solve this error in a way that is faster, more reliable, or more permanent than OnePlus’s broken process?”
Download and flash the token:
After 7 days, OnePlus emails you a .bin file. Flash it:
fastboot flash unlock_token Unlock_token.bin
If successful, you see OKAY [ 0.XXs].
Finally unlock:
fastboot flashing unlock
Use the volume keys to confirm on the phone screen. The device will wipe all data and reboot.
fastboot oem unlock
or
fastboot flashing unlock
For those ready to take the "better" route, the process is straightforward but requires precision. It represents a rite of passage for a true OnePlus power user.
Step 1: Enable OEM Unlocking
Go to Settings > About Device > Version. Tap on Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Options. Navigate to Settings > System > Developer Options and toggle OEM Unlocking to "On." Reboot to fastboot and run: fastboot flash unlock_token
Step 2: Enter Fastboot Mode Power off the device. Press and hold Volume Up + Volume Down simultaneously while plugging the phone into your PC via USB. The screen should display the Fastboot logo.
Step 3: Obtain the Token
(Note: For older devices like the 6T/7Pro, this was automated. For newer devices, ensure your specific model supports token unlocking or use the standard unlock command if the token method is not enforced).
If you have your unlock_token.bin file (saved from your device or obtained via tools), place it in your platform-tools folder.
Step 4: Flash the Token
Open a command prompt/terminal in your platform-tools folder and type:
fastboot flash unlock_token unlock_token.bin
Step 5: Unlock
Once the token is flashed, you must still execute the unlock command to wipe the data:
fastboot oem unlock
(Or simply follow the on-screen prompts on your phone to unlock).