By ByteBot
OnePlus quietly rolled out ColorOS 16 updates starting January 17, 2026, that permanently blow hardware e-fuses on device motherboards—a security mechanism called Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB) that blocks any firmware downgrades. When users attempted to roll back after updating their OnePlus 13, 15, and 12 devices, they bricked. The only fix: motherboard replacement. XDA Forums erupted with [CRITICAL WARNING] threads as hundreds of developers discovered OnePlus had deployed this without warning.
This marks a brutal reversal for OnePlus, a brand that built its “flagship killer” reputation on modder-friendliness. For 12 years, enthusiasts chose OnePlus precisely because it wasn’t Samsung or Google—bootloader unlocking was easy, MSM unbrick tools worked reliably, and custom ROM communities thrived. Now OnePlus matches Samsung Knox’s hardware lockdowns and Xiaomi’s silent restrictions. The modding community that made OnePlus successful just got abandoned.
Hardware-Level Lockdown: E-Fuse Blowing Is Permanent
Anti-Rollback Protection works by permanently destroying microscopic e-fuses (electrical fuses) inside the processor. Each firmware update increments a security version counter stored in these fuses. When the device boots, the bootloader verifies the firmware’s security version against the blown fuses—if the firmware is older, boot fails. Hard brick.
From the XDA Forums warning thread: “If you update to version 16.0.3.501, the anti-rollback fuse is blown. You can NEVER flash an older ROM again. You CANNOT unbrick the device yourself. Previously developed unauthorized 9008 tools and Chimera firehose programmers will FAIL.” There’s no software workaround. The only solution is replacing the motherboard—a repair that costs more than most phones are worth.
This isn’t a policy change you can protest or a software restriction you can bypass. It’s a permanent physical modification to hardware you own. Once triggered, there’s no going back, even if OnePlus reverses course later. Device ownership just became device licensing.
Silent Rollout With No Warning, Devices Bricked
OnePlus deployed ARB with zero documentation, no changelog mentions, and no user warnings. The ColorOS 16 updates (.500/.501/.503) appeared as routine OS updates bringing Android 16 features. Users excited about new functionality updated, then discovered they couldn’t downgrade or install custom ROMs. Many tried anyway. Their devices hard bricked.
OnePlus made it worse by removing official downgrade packages for the OnePlus 13, eliminating even manufacturer-sanctioned rollbacks. The company also locked down MSM unbrick tools, requiring authorized service center credentials. Android Authority nailed it: “OnePlus phones were considered unbrickable because you could experiment with custom ROMs all day long, knowing that the MSM tool would save you. That era is dead.”
Affected devices include OnePlus 13/13T (.501), OnePlus 15 (.503), and OnePlus 12. Expansion to 70+ device models is planned. The XDA community’s advice: DO NOT install any update ending in .500, .501, or .503.
“Never Settle” Becomes “Never Modify”
OnePlus built its brand identity on being the modding champion. “Never Settle” wasn’t just marketing—it was the reason enthusiasts chose OnePlus over established players. Easy bootloader unlocking, accessible MSM tools, and thriving custom ROM communities (LineageOS, Evolution X, DerpFest) made OnePlus the enthusiast’s choice.
The OnePlus-OPPO merger changed everything. ColorOS integration killed OxygenOS’s clean, stock-like experience. MSM tool access got restricted. Now hardware-level ARB locks down the entire product line. One Android Authority writer who’s been a fan for 12 years wrote: “This is my breaking point.”
The XDA community is blunt: “OnePlus has chosen to trade its loyal core audience for mass-market appeal.” A dedicated thread asks “Is the OnePlus 13 still worth buying with Anti-Rollback?” The community’s answer for modders: No.
Related: Android Sideloading Gets “High-Friction” Warnings in 2026
Google Does ARB Right, OnePlus Does It Wrong
OnePlus isn’t alone in implementing hardware ARB—Samsung, Google Pixel, and Xiaomi all use it. The difference is implementation. Google Pixel disables ARB when the bootloader is unlocked, respecting user choice. Samsung’s Knox e-fuse permanently disables core services but warns users clearly. OnePlus and Xiaomi enforce ARB even with unlocked bootloaders, offering no escape hatch.
Samsung’s Knox kills Samsung Wallet and Secure Folder permanently if you unlock the bootloader—a harsh penalty, but at least it’s documented. Xiaomi’s 2018 Redmi Note 5 Pro incident bricked hundreds of devices when users downgraded from MIUI 10 Beta. OnePlus learned nothing from that disaster.
Google Pixel is now the clear choice for developers who want both security and freedom. ARB protects average users from malware rollback attacks. When you unlock the bootloader, ARB disables automatically. OnePlus had the chance to implement ARB responsibly. They chose the most restrictive approach instead.
What This Means for Android Modding’s Future
With OnePlus joining the locked-down ecosystem, the Android modding scene consolidates around fewer manufacturers. Nothing Phone, Google Pixel (with unlocked bootloader), and Sony Xperia are the last open platforms left. Custom ROM development for OnePlus 13 had LineageOS 23.0 [Official], Evolution X, and DerpFest—all now threatened before they mature.
This extends beyond modding to fundamental ownership rights. Even though you own the hardware, the manufacturer controls your software options permanently. LineageOS and similar ROMs often support devices 3-5 years after official support ends, extending device life and reducing e-waste. ARB kills that path, turning devices into e-waste faster.
The Hacker News discussion (303 points, 128 comments) shows strong backlash against OnePlus and praise for Pixel’s approach. Developers are migrating to manufacturers that respect user choice. OnePlus’s brand trust, built over 12 years, evaporated in one silent update.
Key Takeaways
- OnePlus deployed hardware-level Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB) via ColorOS 16 updates (.500/.501/.503) starting January 17, 2026, permanently blowing e-fuses that prevent firmware downgrades—bricking devices if users attempt rollbacks
- The rollout was silent with no warnings or documentation, betraying OnePlus’s “Never Settle” modding-friendly brand identity and abandoning the enthusiast community that made the brand successful
- Unlike Google Pixel (which disables ARB when bootloader unlocked), OnePlus enforces ARB even with unlocked bootloaders, making it impossible to run custom ROMs or downgrade firmware
- Affected devices include OnePlus 13, 15, and 12, with expansion to 70+ models planned—users should avoid any ColorOS update ending in .500, .501, or .503
- For developers who value device ownership and modding, Google Pixel, Nothing Phone, and Sony Xperia are now the only viable Android options—OnePlus has permanently locked itself out of the enthusiast market
