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.
- For those who 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 nicely.
OnePlus has reportedly began making a serious behind-the-scenes change that might completely have an effect on bootloader unlocking, customized ROMs, and even fundamental software program downgrades on its telephones. The corporate had beforehand introduced a brand new system that might restrict bootloader unlocking, and it seems to be prefer it’s lastly beginning to implement it.
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In accordance with Droidwin (through 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 in every of 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 machine’s safety model. As soon as tripped, it can’t be reversed by software program. The one means again could be to interchange the motherboard.
ARB is a part of Android’s Verified Boot framework. It was launched to forestall downgrades to older, much less safe firmware. Units from the likes of Xiaomi, POCO, Redmi, Google, and others have used ARB for years. The safety additionally mirrors how Samsung Knox works. For those who unlock the bootloader on Samsung telephones, you find yourself tripping the fuse. Nonetheless, in contrast to ARB-enabled telephones, Samsung’s implementation isn’t so stringent. Samsung blocks the bootloader-unlocking course of, however normally doesn’t hard-brick the telephone should you attempt.
So with ARB on affected OnePlus telephones, you received’t be capable of downgrade to any firmware older than the ARB-enabled construct. Flashing older customized ROMs will even probably trigger an immediate exhausting brick, and conventional unbricking instruments received’t work for the reason that injury could be on the {hardware} stage.
Affected OnePlus units
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Droidwin confirms ARB is already reside 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 sequence is taken into account at excessive threat, that means ARB may additionally be reside on telephones within the lineup. In the meantime, the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12 might be subsequent in line to be impacted by the brand new system.
It’s necessary to notice that proper now, ARB has solely reportedly appeared on ColorOS. However given OnePlus’ shared codebase, it may additionally arrive on OxygenOS in a future replace.
OnePlus has additionally reportedly eliminated official downgrade packages for the OnePlus 13, that means even beforehand sanctioned rollbacks may now brick units.
For now, should 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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