Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR
- OnePlus has spoken out after some customers skilled bricked gadgets when attempting to downgrade their telephones or set up customized ROMs.
- The corporate confirmed that it had “briefly paused” downgrades from 16.0.2.50x firmware variations attributable to safety causes.
- OnePlus added that it’ll restore the flexibility to downgrade in its subsequent common software program replace.
OnePlus drew the ire of some lovers final week when it emerged that new firmware for choose gadgets launched Anti-Rollback Safety (ARB). This hardware-level safety measure means customers would brick their gadgets in the event that they tried to downgrade the software program or set up a customized ROM. Fortuitously, OnePlus has revealed that this isn’t a everlasting state of affairs.
OnePlus advised Android Authority in an emailed response that this was a short lived measure to spice up safety:
To additional strengthen gadget safety, we’ve briefly paused the flexibility to downgrade from 16.0.2.50x software program builds to older builds. We might be restoring the flexibility to downgrade software program builds in our subsequent routine software program replace, however within the meantime prospects trying to downgrade their construct can contact OnePlus after gross sales channels straight.
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Affected gadgets reportedly embody the OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13T, OnePlus 15, and the China-only OnePlus Ace 5 sequence. Earlier protection urged that the difficulty impacts OnePlus telephones operating ColorOS (used on OnePlus gadgets in China) relatively than the worldwide OxygenOS software program. Nevertheless, OnePlus confirmed to Android Authority that its aforementioned assertion utilized to OxygenOS gadgets. Meaning some world gadgets will also be bricked by trying a firmware downgrade or putting in a customized ROM.
OnePlus’s assertion additionally comes after an unsubstantiated declare that the corporate prevented firmware downgrades attributable to a vulnerability that would enable a stolen gadget to be cleaned and offered as a completely useful telephone. OnePlus hasn’t confirmed or denied this declare, however we’re nonetheless glad the corporate is taking steps that may forestall such incidents, even when coincidentally.
Customized ROM lovers and individuals who merely wish to return to older software program variations ought to nonetheless have the ability to breathe a sigh of reduction. However folks with bricked gadgets might want to contact the corporate’s buyer assist for recourse.
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