OnePlus says its anti-rollback restrictions are temporary, and that's a relief

The back of the Sand Storm OnePlus 15.

What you need to know

• OnePlus confirms its recent anti-rollback restrictions were temporary and will be removed in an upcoming software update.
• The restrictions blocked software downgrades and custom ROM installs on devices like the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 13.
• OnePlus says the move was meant to strengthen security, though it has not explained why the change was needed.

OnePlus has now confirmed that the anti-rollback restrictions it recently implemented on select devices were only temporary and that things will return to normal soon.

OnePlus has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Reports suggested the company was being "dismantled" and struggling heavily in some markets, alongside news that OnePlus had implemented anti-rollback measures on devices like the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 13.

These restrictions prevented users from downgrading software or installing custom ROMs and were enforced at a hardware level, leaving users with no option to roll back their devices.

Thankfully, the company has now confirmed that these measures are not permanent and will be reversed. In a statement to Android Authority, OnePlus said it had "temporarily paused the ability to downgrade" and will be restoring that functionality in its next routine software update.

OnePlus backtracks on blocking software downgrades

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

For users who are "looking to downgrade their build can contact OnePlus after sales channels directly." The company also noted that the move was intended to strengthen device security, although it has not shared specific details explaining the change.

That said, this is good news for OnePlus users and the custom ROM community. OnePlus says users will be able to downgrade their devices again with the next update, though it has not shared a timeline yet, meaning it could still take a month or two before the change fully rolls out.

Android Central's Take

OnePlus finally seems to have come to its senses, and it is good to see the company allowing users to downgrade their devices again. Implementing such changes without clearly informing customers has always felt questionable, especially since we still do not know why the restrictions were introduced in the first place.

Thankfully, OnePlus has reversed course, and users should soon be able to use their devices the way they want again.