[OnePlus Nord CE 3] N0bL3:
So I can't seem to find a good root guide specifically for the lite version of Nord CE 3. I'm a beginner to rooting myself and I spent about 6 hours trying to pull this off so I hope this guide may help anyone trying to do the same. Feedback and criticism is appreciated, this is my first time posting so I apologize in advance for any mistakes made. Feel free to message me to correct or add to any part of the guide.

I won't be responsible for any damage done to your device during this process. Please do it at your own risk.​

Make sure to back up your data before attempting this process, this process will factory reset your phone.
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What will this guide achieve?​

hopefully a fully working rooted phone with Magisk

unfortunately I currently have no experience with TWRP so I cannot provide a reliable guide, once I understand it better I will update the guide

please understand that it is possible to brick your phone while doing this, you accept this at your own risk

what worked for me at the time of writing this guide may not work for you because of updates and such, please be sure to let others know of any outdated steps

Requirements:​

USB C to USB A data cable

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite phone (CPH2465)

A Windows machine available nearby (possible on Linux and iOS, unfortunately cannot write a reliable guide for these OS since I have no experience)

OPTIONAL: SD card to back up your important files

Python installed on your machine

a bit of technical knowledge

a lot of patience

The Guide:​

Unlock Developer options and enable OEM​

Open settings​

Go to About Device > Version​

Click Version Number until prompted for passcode, or a toast informing you that you are a Dev​

In settings find Additional Settings > Developer Options​

Enable OEM Unlocking​

Enable USB Debugging​

Unlock Bootloader​

Go to your PC

Download Android SDK Platform Tools for your OS

Unzip the folder inside a PATH folder, or add the folder containing the unzipped files to PATH - stack overflow guide

Connect your phone to your PC (use the cable your phone came with or a cable with data transmission, preferably connect to a USB 2.0 port)

On your phone allow USB Debugging in the notification (check the box to remember your computer for convenience)

Open CMD/Powershell

Run adb devices

If the command returns a device in the list continue the guide

If the command doesn't return the device make sure that USB debugging has been enabled, on your computer check Device Manager under USB Devices the phone is correctly displayed, If not check your drivers

Run adb reboot bootloader (your phone should restart and go into bootloader mode)

*MAKE SURE TO BACK UP ALL OF YOUR DATA, this step factory resets your phone* if you made a backup -> Run fastboot flashing unlock

Your phone should now display a message asking you if you are certain that you want to unlock the bootloader, use the volume buttons and select Yes

In case your terminal returns a unknown command mode, try fastboot oem unlock

In case this doesn't work either try fastboot devices this command should output the same code as adb devices before, if not check your drivers

After unlocking the bootloader the phone should reboot and you will be prompted to set it up again

Obtaining boot.img​

Finish setting up the device

Download Oxygen Updater from the Play Store

Follow the app instructions until you get to the download button, now TRIPLE check you are downloading the correct version

Your version should have the correct CPHxxxx code along with the correct version, it should be marked as Stable(full), the country should match your device

Click Download and wait for it to finish

Now transfer the Downloaded zip to your PC

You can use adb pull or just allow file sharing and copy it trough windows

Payload Dump​

Once you have the zip transferred to your PC unzip it

Make sure you have python installed

Git Clone/Download Payload Dumper

Extract it into a folder, open CMD in that directory, run pip3 install -r requrements.txt or install the dependencies yourself

Copy the payload.bin file from the zip you transferred into the Payload Dumper folder

In the CMD, run py3 payload_dumper.py payload.bin this should generate a boot.img file in a folder named output

If this method doesn't work try following the instructions with otadump instead, simply follow the instructions on GitHub

You should now have a boot.img file

Magisk​

On your phone install the latest release of Magisk from GitHub it should be a .apk file, make sure to download it directly from GitHub, don't trust other sources

Transfer the boot.img file from your PC to your phone

Install and open the Magisk apk

In Magisk click Install Magisk, then select the file you just copied from your PC

Once Magisk patches your file copy it back to your PC

Root​

Now we're in the final stretch, once you have the Magisk patched file on your pc, run adb reboot bootloader

Once you're in the bootloader run fastboot getvar current-slot, this will show you the current slot which will be either a or b

Now run fastboot flash boot_x magisk_patched-<num>.img REPLACE x with partition and replace num with the number on your patched file

fastboot reboot to reboot your device

Finale​

If everything was done correctly you should now have a rooted phone

To check this download any root checker from the Play Store

Sources:​

Here are some sources I used while rooting my own phone and while writing this guide, you may find doing your own research is sometimes better than blindly following a guide by a random on the internet, the guides listed in the sources may be more helpful in troubleshooting but you may run into problems similar to mine

OnePlus Nord CE 5G Root Guide

XDA Post to root the CE 5G

Payload Dumper github

otadump github

SDK Platform tools

If everything was done successfully you now have a rooted Nord CE 3 lite

Please leave feedback for any attempts successful or not, so I can make the guide better.