TL;DR
- OnePlus has reportedly added hardware-level Anti-Rollback Safety in current ColorOS updates.
- Updating to the brand new firmware completely blocks downgrades, customized ROMs, and most unbricking strategies.
- In the event you unlock bootloaders or flash ROMs, keep away from ColorOS builds ending in .500, .501, or .503.
- The change impacts the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 15 and will quickly roll out to older units and OxygenOS builds as effectively.
OnePlus has reportedly began making a significant behind-the-scenes change that would completely have an effect on bootloader unlocking, customized ROMs, and even primary software program downgrades on its telephones. The corporate had beforehand introduced a brand new system that may restrict bootloader unlocking, and it seems to be prefer it’s lastly beginning to implement it.
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In response to Droidwin (by way of XDA Member AdaUnlocked), OnePlus has quietly launched Anti-Rollback Safety (ARB) with ColorOS 16.0.3.500/.501/.503 updates (based mostly on Android 16) on choose units. This isn’t a traditional software program restriction, it’s a hardware-level fuse that will get completely tripped the second you put in one among these builds.
What’s ARB and the way does it work?
Joe Maring / Android Authority
Because the publication explains, ARB works by blowing an e-fuse on the motherboard that updates the gadget’s safety model. As soon as tripped, it can’t be reversed via software program. The one means again could be to switch the motherboard.
ARB is a part of Android’s Verified Boot framework. It was launched to forestall downgrades to older, much less safe firmware. Gadgets from the likes of Xiaomi, POCO, Redmi, Google, and others have used ARB for years. The safety additionally mirrors how Samsung Knox works. In the event you unlock the bootloader on Samsung telephones, you find yourself tripping the fuse. Nevertheless, not like ARB-enabled telephones, Samsung’s implementation isn’t so stringent. Samsung blocks the bootloader-unlocking course of, however normally doesn’t hard-brick the cellphone when you strive.
So with ARB on affected OnePlus telephones, you received’t be capable to downgrade to any firmware older than the ARB-enabled construct. Flashing older customized ROMs may even probably trigger an prompt arduous brick, and conventional unbricking instruments received’t work because the harm could be on the {hardware} stage.
Affected OnePlus units
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Droidwin confirms ARB is already stay on the next units:
- OnePlus 13 and 13T: ColorOS 16.0.3.501
- OnePlus 15: ColorOS 16.0.3.503
- OnePlus Ace 5/Ace 5 Professional: ColorOS 16.0.3.500
The OPPO Discover X8 collection is taken into account at excessive threat, which means ARB may additionally be stay on telephones within the lineup. In the meantime, the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12 may very well be subsequent in line to be impacted by the brand new system.
It’s essential to notice that proper now, ARB has solely reportedly appeared on ColorOS. However given OnePlus’ shared codebase, it might additionally arrive on OxygenOS in a future replace.
OnePlus has additionally reportedly eliminated official downgrade packages for the OnePlus 13, which means even beforehand sanctioned rollbacks might now brick units.
For now, when you care about bootloader unlocking or customized ROMs, it’s finest to not set up any replace ending in .500, .501, or .503.
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