In this guide, we will make you aware of the location of the OTA update download folder on your OnePlus device. Following the footsteps of Google and Samsung, the Chinese OEM has also increased the number of OS upgrades to 4 [though it is still nowhere close to 7 years being offered by the other two]. Adding to it, users will now also be greeted with the SOTA updates, alongside the regular updates.
For the unaware, these updates will enhance the usability and improve the performance of existing OnePlus apps, apart from adding a few additional goodies to them as well. This is in addition to the security patches and Over The Air updates that you receive. Talking about the latter one, the OEM isn’t usually the fastest one to get blessed with the same, but it still manages to get done within the acceptable time frame.
Moreover, the installation steps are pretty straightforward- just download the OTA update onto your device and then subsequently install it. But when you download the update, then where does it ultimately end up on the device? And more importantly, is it even saved on the device in the first place or is it directly installed in one go? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Where is the OnePlus OTA Update Download Location?
There is no single location where the update is saved. Depending on the device, region, and OS version, the location tends to carry in each of these cases. Here are all the possible scenarios in this regard:
For Older OnePlus Devices
In the case of old OnePlus phones [most probably OnePlus 6 and older], the OTA is stored under the Internal Storage/.OTA folder, which could also be translated to /storage/emulated/0/.Ota.
For Newer OnePlus Phones
If you are using a new OnePlus device, then you might be able to access the OTA from either /data/ota or the /data/ota_package folder. However, do note that accessing both these directories requires root. Likewise, you will need to have a root-supported file manager app, such as Solid File Manager.
OyxgenOS BA/DA (Europe and Indian Builds)
If your OnePlus is on the Europe or India build, then you can access the OTA using the same method as explained above, i.e. either from the /data/ota or the /data/ota_package directory [as already mentioned above, you’ll need to have root to access either of these folders].
OxygenOS AA (Global Build)
The OxygenOS AA (Global Build) is the most unique of them all. Using the Google OTA system since the OnePlus 8 series, it directly streams [installs] the updates to the device instead of first saving them to your device. So in such cases, you will not be able to get hold of the update package.
Fix Cannot Access OnePlus OTA Update File
If you don’t want to root your device, have the AA (Global Build), or you just cannot access the OTA for any other reason, then there’s an alternate way out. You can also take the help of the Oxygen Updater app to get this job done. Here’s how:
- Download and install the Oxygen Updater app from the Play Store.
- Launch it, verify the Device and Update Method, and then hit Start App.
Stable (Full) is the Full Firmware whereas Incremental is an OTA update
- Now go to its Settings menu, enable Advanced Mode, and tap on Enable.
- Then go back to the Downloads section and you will get the latest update.
- Tap on Download Update and give storage access permission to the app.
- The update will soon be downloaded and placed in the Internal Storage.
- Access it via a File Manager and do a Local Install/Upgrade to install it.
So on that note, we round off this guide regarding the OTA update download folder on your OnePlus device. We will be updating this guide as and when there are any further developments/changes regarding the location of the OTA directory. With that said, 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.
