OnePlus Nord Stock Boot Image Files and How to Install Them?

In this guide, we will let you know what is a Stock Boot Image, why would you need it, and how to install it onto your OnePlus Nord. While there were a few initial doubts about the company’s deviation from the budget segment, Nord put all that doubts to rest. Offering all the top-end specs without burning a hole in your pockets, plus the associated OxygenOS goodies and the OEM has ticked mark most of the prerequisites that one could have asked for. Furthermore, OnePlus is always known to be quite an active player in custom development.

What is a Stock Boot Image and Why is it Needed?

Consisting of kernel and ramdisk image, the boot partition (or boot.img) is the first in line to be loaded up by the bootloader when your device boots up to the OS. No matter to which manufacturer your Android smartphone belongs, this definition is applicable to every single one of them. So why would one need to get hold of this file? Well, there are a plethora of reasons for the same, let’s begin with the most basic ones (keeping the focus on OnePlus Nord).

There exist two different methods to root your device: with or without TWRP. While the former is much easier to execute, but not every device has a working TWRP build. In this regard, many users prefer the non-TWRP method to root their device. The first requirement for the same is to get hold of the stock boot.img file, which is then patched via Magisk and flashed via Fastboot. Along the same lines, you could use the boot.img file to undo the aforementioned tweak.

In other words, you could uninstall Magisk and hence remove root from your device by flashing the stock boot.img file. In some instances, if you have flashed an incorrect binary in the boot partition, then you could easily flash the stock boot.img file and bring your device to working condition. So all this must have given you quite a decent idea regarding the usefulness of this file. Let’s now check out the steps to install these OnePlus Nord stock boot image files.

How to Install OnePlus Nord Stock Boot Image Files

There are two different methods through which you could install this partition image file. The first one is via Fastboot Commands whereas the second one involves the use of TWRP Recovery. The second method is the easier of the two, but if you prefer to maintain a safe distance from the custom recovery, then you may choose the Fastboot Commands. With that said, let’s make you acquainted with the requirements for this guide before proceeding with the steps to install OnePlus Nord stock boot image files.

Prerequisites

First and foremost, it doesn’t matter which method you chose, your device’s bootloader needs to be unlocked. If you haven’t done so, then refer to our guide: How to Unlock Bootloader on OnePlus Nord.
Enable USB Debugging on your device as well. Head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
Likewise, get hold of your device’s stock boot.img file. You could download the Stock Fastboot ROMs for OnePlus Nord and then extract the boot.img file from it. Credits for the ROM goes to XA Recognized Developer mauronofrio
In this regard, should only download the boot.img that corresponds to the currently installed OS on your device. If you aren’t sure of the same, then head over to Settings > About Phone and check out the Build Number. You should then download the stock firmware of the same build number and get hold of its stock boot.img file.
Furthermore, the region is extremely important as well, you shouldn’t cross flash the boot image file of any other region. OnePlus Nord has the following region codes: Global (AC01AA) Europe (AC01BA) India (AC01DA), download the one that corresponds to your region.
Next up, install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
If you prefer to choose the TWRP Method, then make sure to have it installed. This guide should help you out: How to Install TWRP Recovery on OnePlus Nord. This guide also has the rooting steps, you may skip it as of now.

That’s it, these were all the requirements. You may now proceed with the steps to install the OnePlus Nord stock boot image files.

Download Stock Boot Image Files:

OnePlus Nord Europe Variant (AC01BA)

OxygenOS 10.5.10.AC01BA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.9.AC01BA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.8.AC01BA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.7.AC01BA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.6.AC01BA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.5.AC01BA	Download File

OnePlus Nord Global Variant (AC01AA)

OxygenOS 10.5.10.AC01AA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.9.AC01AA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.8.AC01AA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.7.AC01AA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.6.AC01AA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.5.AC01AA	Download File

OnePlus Nord India Variant (AC01DA)

OxygenOS 10.5.10.AC01DA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.9.AC01DA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.8.AC01DA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.7.AC01DA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.6.AC01DA	Download File
OxygenOS 10.5.5.AC01DA	Download File

India (AC01DA)

Method 1: Via Fastboot Commands

To begin with, rename the downloaded boot image file to boot, hence the complete name should be boot.img. Then transfer this boot.img file to the platform-tools folder.
Now head over to this platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode
```
adb reboot bootloader
```
Now execute the below command if you wish to flash the file to the ‘current active’ slot:
```
fastboot flash boot boot.img
```
On the other hand, if you wish to flash the boot image file to both the slots, you would need to use the following commands:
```
fastboot flash boot_a boot.img
fastboot flash boot_b boot.img
```
Once the flashing is complete, you may reboot your device to the OS as follows:
```
fastboot reboot
```

So these were the steps to install the OnePlus Nord stock boot image via Fastboot Commands. Let’s now turn our attention towards the TWRP method.

Method 2: Via TWRP Recovery

Connect your device to PC via USB cable, make sure Debugging is enabled.
Now transfer the boot.img file to your device’s internal storage
Then go over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to the TWRP Recovery
```
adb reboot recovery
```
Once booted to TWRP, go to Install and tap on the Install Image button situated at the bottom right.
Now select the boot.img file and chose the Boot partition from the partition selection screen.
Finally, perform a right swipe to install this file.
Once done, you may reboot your device to the OS. For that, go to Reboot and tap on System.

That’s it. These were the steps to install the OnePlus Nord stock boot image files. We have shared two different methods for the same: via TWRP and using Fastboot Commands. You may choose either of the two that you find easier to deal with. And, if you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments section below. Rounding off, here are some iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Tricks that deserve your attention as well.