OnePlus has had a pretty solid run over the past few years, releasing refined devices that really offer a ton of value when compared to its competitors. And while it will be interesting to see how the brand evolves in 2026, we’re hearing news that OnePlus is making a serious change that could really alter its trajectory.
The news comes from the XDA Forums via 9to5Google, shedding light on a new software update that will permanently alter the way users can interact with the phone going forward. The thing to look out for is the ColorOS 16.0.3.501 update, which introduces a “hardware-level Anti-Rollback (ARB) mechanism.”
What does this mean?
Well, according to the post, this means that users will no longer be able to downgrade their firmware going forward. Furthermore, users will no longer be able to flash custom firmware. Now, what happens if you try these things with the new firmware installed? Well, your device will be bricked and become non-functional.
Yes, it’s that serious. What makes this even worse is that you won’t be able to use previously developed tools to unbrick your phone. So, as you can tell, this is a pretty major change. The post warns that this update will affect newer devices like the OnePlus 15 and 13 series devices. But it could also roll out to older OnePlus devices as well.
The details are important here
What you might have noticed in the warning above is that this discussion currently surrounds ColorOS. OnePlus devices currently run one of two operating systems, ColorOS and OxygenOS. The software you get will depend on the region where you purchase your phone, but for those located in the US and Europe, you’ll most likely be seeing OxygenOS.
Despite this, there’s a clear warning that this new feature could be rolling out to OxygenOS as well. So, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any incoming updates. If you see a new update pop up on your phone, it’s a good idea to pass on it for now. If you’re curious about any future updates surrounding this update, we recommend following the XDA Forums thread.
However, if you’re someone that just uses their phone like normal and doesn’t care about ROMs and rollbacks, then update without any thoughts. OnePlus isn’t the only brand to implement such a feature, with Google and Samsung both having their own versions of this. And for the most part, it’s to keep the devices as secure as possible.
