In this guide, we will show you the steps to download the OnePlus firmware via the Oxygen Updater app. Every OEM takes a different approach when it comes to providing stock firmware to its customers. While the likes of Pixel upload it on their official website, for Xiaomi, you’ll have to take the help of third-party websites. Likewise, for Samsung, the SamFW website or the Frija Tool will come in handy.
However, if you own a OnePlus device, then you might be in for some tough time ahead. The OEM has stopped providing firmware for its devices for the past couple of years. As a result of this, users are on the lookout for some handy third-party alternatives, among which the Oxygen Updater app might be the best player in this domain.
So in this guide, we will make you aware of the steps to download the firmware using this Oxygen Updater app, a few common issues that you might face during this process, and a few advanced tweaks linked to this app. But before that, let’s focus on the need to use this tool in the first place. Follow along.
Table of Contents
Why is there a Need to Manually Download Firmware
Since OnePlus is already rolling out timely OTA and SOTA updates, why is there a need to manually download the same? Well, there are quite a few reasons why you would need to manually grab hold of the firmware file. Let’s have a look at some of its most common use-case scenarios:
Root Device
If you are planning to root your OnePlus device via Magisk, then you’ll need to get hold of the stock boot.img or the init_boot.img file, which you’ll have to extract from the downloaded firmware file.
Disable Vbmeta
Likewise, for disabling verification or Android Verified Boot, you’ll have to flash the vbmeta file using the disable command parameters. And this file could be extracted from the stock firmware of your device.
Unbrick Device
If your device is stuck in the Fastboot Mode or is in a continuous bootloop, then you flash the partition IMG files from the downloaded firmware via Fastboot Commands and Fastboot Enhance Tool.
Skip OTA Updates
While this use case might be beneficial to an extremely small nitch, but due to its usefulness, it deserves a mention in this list nevertheless. If you flash the unbrick firmware via MSM Download Tool or Oppo Flash Tool, then you’ll be taken back a few OIS builds [in the case of MSM, it will be Android 11].
Now to upgrade to the latest OS, you’ll have to download and install quite a few OTAs, which require quite a lot of effort, time, and network bandwidth. However, using this app, you ca directly install the latest update in one go [such as from Android 11 to 14, skipping the rest of the updates in the process].
Well, these are just some of the reasons why you would need to manually grab hold of the firmware. Let’s now make you aware of the steps to download the OnePlus firmware via the Oxygen Updater app. Follow along.
How to Download OnePlus Firmware via Oxygen Updater

Before starting, please take a backup of all the data on your device, just to be on the safer side. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.
STEP 1: Download Firmware via Oxygen Updater
- Download and install Oxygen Updater from the Play Store or GitHub.
- Then launch it, verify your device name, and tap on the Start App button.
- If there is a new incremental update, then it will notify you right away.
- Hit the Download Update button at the bottom and it will be downloaded.
NOTE: You might have to enable File Access for the app for the first time usage.
- If there’s no pending update, then check for the full update instead of incremental.
- For that, go to the Settings tab, then go to Update Method, and select Full.
- Now scroll down, enable Advanced Mode, and hit Enable in the prompt.
- Then go back to the Home tab and you should now see a new available update.
NOTE: If you're already on the latest update, then the app will let you download that same firmware version.
- Now hit Download Update and it will be downloaded to your device’s Internal Storage.
- Once downloaded, the app will provide you with the Local Upgrade APKs.
- Expand the ‘All Regions’ section and download the one that corresponds to your OS version [NOTE: Do not install the APK, for now].
STEP 2: Enable Local Install
Now that you have downloaded the firmware, it’s time to install it. For that, you’ll have to enable the Local Install feature. Here’s how it can be done:
- Go to Settings > About Device > Version > Tap Build Number 7 times.
- This will enable Developer Options and hence the Local Install option.
STEP 3: Delete Update Downloaded by the OS
In some cases, the system would have already downloaded an update for you if your device was ever connected to WiFi. So you’ll first have to delete that update before you can proceed ahead and install your own.
- To do so, turn off WiFi and go to Settings > Apps > App Management.
- Now tap on the overflow icon at the top right and select Show System.
- Scroll to Software Update > Storage Usage > Clear Data > Tap Delete.
- It will delete the update that has been downloaded by the OS in the past.
STEP 4: Install Firmware via Local Install
- Go to Settings > About Device > Tap on OxygenOS.
- Then tap on the overflow icon and select Local Install.
- Browse to the downloaded firmware ZIP and select it.
NOTE: Getting DM Verity Error? Here's the Fix
- It will now be extracted, verified, and installed.
- Once done, your device will reboot to the updated OS.
That’s it. These were the steps to download and install the OnePlus firmware via the Oxygen Updater app. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution as soon as possible.
FAQ 1: Local Install Option is Missing
The Local Install option could go missing for quite a few reasons. We have documented all of them in the below-linked guide along with their fixes. So do check them out.
FAQ 2: Verification Failed
Many users have said that they are getting “The dm-verity is disable Please check fastboot unlock status” error when trying to load the firmware via Local Install. If you are also facing this issue, then refer to the below guide to rectify it.
The dm-verity is disable Please check fastboot unlock status [Fixed]
FAQ 3: Oxygen Updater App Not Working
Recently OnePlus blocked third-party apps access to its servers. As a result of which, Oxygen Updater wasn’t able to download the updates. While the app has since then found a workaround to bypass the limitation [explained in the linked guide], however, it wouldn’t be long before the OEM patches this loophole. So make sure to keep a tab on all such developments from the below guide as and when the app doesn’t function along the expected lines.