OnePlus has activated the Anti-Rollback function through its latest ColorOS releases
OnePlus has introduced a strict security measure in its latest firmware that prevents users from downgrading their devices. With the release of ColorOS versions 16.0.3.500, 501, and 503, the company has activated the Anti-Rollback (ARB) hardware mechanism.
The new restriction will affect users who switch between different operating systems and those who use third-party ROMs. The installation of these updates prevents users from restoring their devices through previous software downgrades which leads to permanent device unresponsiveness.
How the Anti-Rollback Mechanism Works
The ARB feature functions at the processor level. The installation of the specific updates activates a hardware fuse which is present inside the Qualcomm chipset. The fuse provides enhanced bootloader security but prevents users from installing any version of ColorOS or OxygenOS or custom firmware after they have activated the fuse.
Consequences of Downgrading
The smartphone will become "bricked" when a user tries to flash firmware that was released before the ARB system became active. The consequences are more severe than typical software errors:
- Standard Recovery Fails Traditional recovery methods, such as EDL (Emergency Download Mode) or unofficial 9008 tools, are ineffective.
- Repair Tools Fail Solutions like Chimera Firehose cannot bypass the hardware lock.
The device can only be restored by replacing the motherboard because it became bricked due to this particular issue. Hardware Replacement Required
Risks for Custom ROM Users
This development is particularly critical for the modding community. The installation of a third-party build which was released before the ColorOS 16.0.3.5xx update will activate the ARB mechanism and render the device unusable. OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 15 owners have reported that their attempts to downgrade the system forcibly required them to replace hardware components.
While some guides on "safe downgrading" are appearing on social media, users are strongly advised to avoid these methods due to the high risk involved.
Affected Models
The Anti-Rollback update currently applies to these models which operate using Chinese firmware.
- OnePlus 13
- OnePlus 13T
- OnePlus 15
- Ace 5
- Ace 5 Pro
The current OxygenOS devices in Global regions have not yet received this restriction but there is a high likelihood that OnePlus will extend this security feature to additional models and regions later on.
