OnePlus has faced significant backlash recently due to software updates bricking motherboards in their OnePlus 9 and 10 Pro models. The issue, acknowledged by OnePlus in a statement to The Hindu, has put the company in a tough spot, as it has not only committed to resolving the problem but also taken steps that temporarily blocked firmware downloads for all OnePlus devices.
The most notable effect of this was on the third-party app Oxygen Updater, widely used by OnePlus users to access official OxygenOS updates. OnePlus removed all the OxygenOS ROM/firmware files from its servers, rendering the app unusable for a full day. Custom ROM users on OnePlus devices were particularly affected, as they rely on these downloads for updates, and suddenly, they were unable to access their preferred software.
The problem was first noted in the OnePlus 12 / 11 Series Telegram group, where users reported that OnePlus had implemented measures preventing downloads via HTTP, effectively cutting off third-party access.
Is OnePlus Changing Its Policy?
Oxygen Updater’s developer states that OnePlus is restricting firmware downloads due to closed beta builds being leaked. Consequently, you can only download the latest firmware for your OnePlus phone through the updated Oxygen Updater app, now on version 6.4.0, which has restored download functionality.
OnePlus’s shift in its policy regarding OTAs and full ROM downloads is concerning for a company that began with a focus on Custom ROMs and has historically supported third-party ROMs.
It appears that OnePlus is now using browser user agents to block ZIP file downloads. A user agent communicates with the OnePlus server, indicating the browser in use—like “I’m Firefox on a PC” —but where the server once allowed downloads, it now denies them.
This adjustment by the developer is effective because it provides the user agent with an acceptable default value, enabling tools like Oxygen Updater to download ZIPs easily. Similarly, you can apply this approach in a browser as well.
Open Inspect > Network tab > 3-dot icon > More tools > Network conditions. Uncheck the Use default browser option and enter the following in the text field below:
Dalvik/2.1.0 (Linux; U; Android 10; Pixel 3 Build/QQ3A.200805.001)
Simply download the update for your phone (e.g., OnePlus 12R firmware) and it should begin downloading immediately.
What Does This Mean for Your OnePlus Device?
If you prefer waiting weeks or months for the official OTA update instead of using Custom ROMs, that’s fine.
However, if you desire quicker updates, upgrading Oxygen Updater to version 6.4.0 will enable you to download and install updates as soon as they are released.
What do you think about OnePlus discontinuing third-party apps and restricting firmware downloads for their devices? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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