Install /e/OS on a OnePlus X - “onyx” beta

The instructions in this guide will assist you to install /e/OS on your onyx. Please read through the instructions at least once before actually following them, so as to avoid any problems later.

It is important that you know that downgrading Smartphones on OS versions greater than the /e/OS OS version you plan to install, can cause instability or at worst brick some devices. We recommend that you check your current OS version, before attempting the installation.

It is advisable to flash your device only if you know what you are doing and are ok taking the associated risk. All /e/OS builds are provided as best effort, without any guarantee. The /e/OS project and its project members deny any and all responsibility about the consequences of using /e/OS software and or /e/OS services.

Requirements

If required take a backup of all important data from your phone on an external storage device before proceeding.
Do not take a backup on the same device as some of these actions will format the device and delete the backup.
A guide on backing up with TWRP is available here
Ensure your phone is charged more than 50%
Check that adb and fastboot are enabled on your PC. If not you can find the setup instructions here
Download all the files and images mentioned in the download section below before starting the installation
Make sure you have a working data cable to connect your device to the PC. There are cables which are only for charging and do not transfer data.
Enable USB debugging on your device. You can find the instructions here
Make sure that your model is listed in the Smartphone Selector. Check the model supported. Where available, information on the model supported should show as a pop-up when you hover the cursor on the Device name. The model number supported should be the exact same.
Boot your device with the stock OS at least once and check every functionality.

Warning: Make sure that you can send and receive SMS and place and receive calls (also via WiFi and LTE, if available), otherwise it will not work on /e/OS as well. Additionally, some devices require that VoLTE/VoWiFi be utilized once on stock to provision IMS.

Please share your experience , suggest tips or changes to this install guide documentation by visiting the X specific topic on our community forum.

To report issues in /e/OS please refer this guide

Downloads for onyx

Tip: Installing a custom recovery or unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device! Take a backup of your data before proceeding!!

Custom recovery (not required if you already have it running on your phone)

/e/OS build : Nougat community

To understand the difference between /e/OS builds check this guide

Warning: Please note some of the above links can lead to external sites

Unlocking the bootloader

Tip: The steps given below only need to be run once per device.

Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device! Before proceeding, ensure the data you would like to retain is backed up to your PC and/or an online drive

Warning: Some vendors/manufacturers prevent the bootloader from being unlocked. Depending on where your device was acquired you may or may not be able to unlock the bootloader. To verify if your device is compatible please check the devices list.

Enable OEM unlock in the Developer options under device Settings, if present.
Connect your device to your PC via USB.
On the computer, open a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window, and type:
```
 adb reboot bootloader
```
You can also boot into fastboot mode via a key combination:
- With the device powered off
- hold Volume Up + Power.
Once the device is in fastboot mode, verify your PC finds it by typing:
```
 fastboot devices
```
Tip: If you see no permissions fastboot while on Linux or macOS, try running fastboot as root.
Now type the following command to unlock the bootloader:
```
 fastboot oem unlock
```
If the device doesn’t automatically reboot, reboot it. It should now be unlocked.
Since the device resets completely, you will need to re-enable USB debugging to continue.

Installing a custom recovery using `fastboot`

Before proceeding ensure you have downloaded the custom recovery from the link given in the Download section above
Connect your device to your PC via USB.
On the computer, open a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window, and type:
```
 adb reboot bootloader
```
You can also boot into fastboot mode via a key combination:
- With the device powered off
- hold Volume Up + Power.
Once the device is in fastboot mode, verify your PC finds it by typing:
```
fastboot devices
```
Tip: If you see no permissions fastboot while on Linux or macOS, try running fastboot as root

Tip: Some devices have buggy USB support while in bootloader mode. If fastboot hangs with no output when using commands such as fastboot getvar .. , fastboot boot …, fastboot flash … try a different USB port (preferably a USB Type-A 2.0 one) or a USB hub
Flash a recovery image onto your device by typing
```
 fastboot flash recovery recoveryfilename.img
```
Replace the recoveryfilename with the name of the recovery image you downloaded in the previous section
Now reboot into recovery to verify the installation:
- With the device powered off
- hold Volume Down + Power

Installing /e/OS from recovery

Before proceeding ensure you have downloaded the /e/OS for your device, from the link given in the Downloads section above
If you aren’t already in recovery mode, reboot into recovery mode
- by typing the below command in the console of an adb enabled PC
```
 adb reboot recovery
```
In TWRP return to main menu, then tap Wipe
Now tap Format Data and continue with the formatting process.

Here a new screen may show where you will have to type Yes and confirm the action by clicking a button.

Caution: Format Data will remove encryption as well as delete all files stored on the internal storage. Remember to take a backup first. Check Requirements section above.
Return to the previous menu and tap Advanced Wipe.
Select the Cache and System partitions to be wiped and then Swipe to Wipe
Sideload the /e/OS .zip package.

Tip: Sideload requires actions in two places to be done. One on your phone in the TWRP UI and secondly on the connected PC which should have adb enabled. Also note the sideload process while running may stop abruptly around 50%. The console would show a message Total xfer: 1.00x. This would mean that the transfer has successfully completed.
- On the device in TWRP,
  
  select Advanced, ADB Sideload, then swipe to begin sideload.
- On the host machine, in the console , start the sideload of the package by typing
```
 adb sideload filename.zip
```
Tip: Change the filename to the name of the file you downloaded
Once installation has finished, return to the main menu, tap Reboot, and then System

Warning: Avoid installing any additional apps or services if suggested by the recovery. They may cause your device to bootloop, as well as attempt to access and or corrupt your data.

Success: Congratulations !! Your phone should now be booting into /e/OS !!

Still need help to complete the installation ?

Need help to unlock the bootloader ?

Check out this guide

TMobile user ?

Guides to help unlock the SIM

Having problems getting the device detected on Windows OS?

Guide on installing drivers on Windows OS