TL;DR OnePlus has reportedly added hardware-level Anti-Rollback Protection in recent ColorOS updates.
Updating to the new firmware permanently blocks downgrades, custom ROMs, and most unbricking methods.
If you unlock bootloaders or flash ROMs, avoid ColorOS builds ending in .500, .501, or .503.
The change affects the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 15 and could soon roll out to older devices and OxygenOS builds as well.
OnePlus has reportedly started making a major behind-the-scenes change that could permanently affect bootloader unlocking, custom ROMs, and even basic software downgrades on its phones. The company had previously announced a new system that would limit bootloader unlocking, and it looks like it’s finally starting to implement it.
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According to Droidwin (via XDA Member AdaUnlocked), OnePlus has quietly introduced Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB) with ColorOS 16.0.3.500/.501/.503 updates (based on Android 16) on select devices. This isn’t a normal software restriction, it’s a hardware-level fuse that gets permanently tripped the moment you install one of these builds.
What is ARB and how does it work?
Joe Maring / Android Authority
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