Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR
- OnePlus has spoken out after some users experienced bricked devices when trying to downgrade their phones or install custom ROMs.
- The company confirmed that it had “temporarily paused” downgrades from 16.0.2.50x firmware versions due to security reasons.
- OnePlus added that it will restore the ability to downgrade in its next regular software update.
OnePlus drew the ire of some enthusiasts last week when it emerged that new firmware for select devices introduced Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB). This hardware-level protection measure means users would brick their devices if they tried to downgrade the software or install a custom ROM. Fortunately, OnePlus has revealed that this isn’t a permanent state of affairs.
OnePlus told Android Authority in an emailed response that this was a temporary measure to boost security: