OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 launched worldwide in January 2024 with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 6.82-inch 120 Hz LTPO screen, a 5,400 mAh battery and 50 W wireless charging. It ships with OxygenOS, which includes Google services.
For privacy, the main point is that the OnePlus 12 (codename waffle) is an official LineageOS device, not just a community or XDA port. LineageOS publishes nightly 23.2 builds based on Android 16 for all four model numbers. e Foundation also lists it with /e/OS community builds. Unlocking is the plain OnePlus process: switch on OEM unlocking, run one fastboot command, and the phone wipes and unlocks with no code to request.
The trade-offs are age and protection. It has not yet moved to LineageOS 24.0, it is rated only IP65, and OnePlus’s promise of five years of security updates for the stock OS ends around January 2029. Like other non-Pixel phones on custom OSes, the bootloader stays unlocked after install, so you do not get relocked verified boot. iodéOS does not list this model, so LineageOS and /e/OS are the two choices. If you want iodéOS or the newest LineageOS branch, the OnePlus 13 is the closer fit.
OnePlus 12 tech specs
| Released | January 2024 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED, 3168 × 1440, 1–120 Hz |
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 12 GB or 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256 GB or 512 GB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP main + 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto + 48 MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | 32 MP |
| Battery | 5,400 mAh (dual-cell) |
| Charging | 80 W wired SUPERVOOC, 50 W AIRVOOC wireless |
| Water/dust rating | IP65 |
| Weight | 220 g |
| Size | 164.3 × 75.8 × 9.15 mm |
| Headphone jack / microSD | No / No (USB-C audio) |
| SIM/eSIM | Dual nano-SIM + eSIM |
| OS at launch | OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) |
| Bootloader unlock | Yes, fastboot flashing unlock, no unlock code |
| Launch price | $799 (12 GB/256 GB, US) |
| Codename | waffle (used on OS download pages) |
Strengths and drawbacks
Private operating systems for the OnePlus 12
One private system officially supports this exact model (codename waffle), plus one community build or port that works with less polish and slower fixes. The table compares them on the things that matter day to day; the install guides below walk through each one.
| System | Support | Privacy | Effort | Apps and Google |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LineageOSLineageOS 23.2 (Android 16) | Official | 7/10 | Advanced · fastboot and recovery | No Google unless you add it |
| /e/OS/e/OS 4.3 community (Android 15) | Community build | 7.5/10 | Easy · installer app, or preinstalled | microG built in + App Lounge |
- LineageOS: Official nightlies (latest dated Oct 8, 2026) for CPH2573, CPH2581, CPH2583 and PJD110; it has not moved to LineageOS 24.0 yet, unlike the OnePlus 13.
- /e/OS: Listed on e Foundation's device page as a 'community' release; the latest build (Sept 20, 2026, September 2026 patch) is Android 15 based; bootloader not relockable.
Not available for this model
- GrapheneOS: GrapheneOS only supports Google Pixel phones.
- CalyxOS: Not on CalyxOS's device list as of Oct 2026.
- iodéOS: Not on iodé's official list; iodé supports the OnePlus 9, 9 Pro, 11 and 13 but not the 12.
Privacy scores and effort levels are explained in how we score each system; the feature-by-feature OS table goes deeper.
Unlocking the bootloader on the OnePlus 12
Yes. The OnePlus 12 unlocks with the standard fastboot command, with no code or waiting period. It wipes the phone.
- Back up your data; unlocking erases the phone.
- Settings > About device > tap the build number 7 times to open Developer options.
- Turn on OEM unlocking and USB debugging.
- Run 'adb -d reboot bootloader' from a computer.
- Run 'fastboot flashing unlock' and confirm on the phone.
- LineageOS needs the stock OS on an Android 16 build first; update before unlocking.
- Check your model number matches CPH2573, CPH2581, CPH2583 or PJD110.
- Reports from January 2026 describe an anti-rollback fuse on newer OnePlus firmware; do not downgrade stock firmware without checking current reports for your model.
- Do not relock the bootloader with LineageOS or /e/OS installed.
How to install a private OS on the OnePlus 12
Short versions of each project's official guide. Always keep the official page open while you work: it has the exact files for your model and changes faster than any summary.
Installing LineageOSAdvanced · fastboot and recovery
What you need: A computer with Android platform-tools (adb and fastboot) installed, a USB cable, and an evening. Follow the install page for your exact codename. Installing erases the phone.
Apps: No Google services by default; you add microG or Google apps yourself if you want them. Bootloader: Usually no: the bootloader stays unlocked on most devices.
- Find your phone's page on the LineageOS wiki by its codename and read the whole install guide once before you start.
- Make sure the stock firmware is the version the guide asks for, then unlock the bootloader the brand's official way.
- Flash the partitions the guide lists (such as boot, dtbo or vendor_boot) and boot into Lineage Recovery.
- In recovery, choose Factory reset → Format data, then Apply update → Apply from ADB, and run adb sideload with the LineageOS zip.
- Reboot. Add F-Droid for apps; skip the optional Google apps package if you want to stay degoogled.
Installing /e/OSEasy · installer app, or preinstalled
What you need: For a phone you already own: a Windows, macOS or Linux computer and a USB cable. The Easy Installer covers many models; others use a command-line guide on the device's page. Installing erases the phone.
Apps: microG built in, plus the App Lounge store that shows each app's trackers. Bootloader: stays unlocked with this build.
- Look up your exact model on the /e/OS device list and check whether it supports the Easy Installer.
- Download the Easy Installer (or the build and guide from the device page) on your computer.
- Turn on Developer options, USB debugging and OEM unlocking on the phone, and connect it.
- Follow the installer's screens: it unlocks, flashes /e/OS and, where possible, relocks the bootloader.
- Set up the phone. A Murena account is optional; you can skip it.
Who the OnePlus 12 is for
A buyer who wants flagship hardware for less and plans to run LineageOS. It suits people who are fine with an unlocked bootloader and don't need iodéOS.
OnePlus 12 questions, answered
Is LineageOS official on the OnePlus 12?
Yes. The OnePlus 12 (waffle) is on the LineageOS wiki with official 23.2 (Android 16) nightlies as of October 2026. It is a maintained official build, not an unofficial community port.
Can I install iodéOS on the OnePlus 12?
Not officially. iodé's supported list includes the OnePlus 9, 9 Pro, 11 and 13 but not the OnePlus 12. LineageOS and /e/OS are the listed options.
How long will the OnePlus 12 get updates?
OnePlus promised five years of security updates at launch, which runs to about January 2029 on the stock OS. LineageOS support depends on its volunteer maintainer and continues while builds are listed.
Sources
- OnePlus US — OnePlus 12 specs
- OnePlus US — OnePlus 12 overview (IP65)
- LineageOS Wiki — waffle
- LineageOS Wiki — waffle install guide
- /e/OS docs — OnePlus 12 waffle
- iodéOS official supported devices
- GrapheneOS FAQ — supported devices
- 9to5Google — OnePlus 12 global price and updates (secondary)
Every fact on this page comes from the maker or the OS project's own pages, checked October 14, 2026. We don't claim hands-on testing. Found something out of date? Report a correction.
