Install Oxygen OS on OnePlus One and Update to Official Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS

Oxygen OS has been officially release, so now the OnePlus One users can safely update their devices to stock Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS. An unofficial Android 5.1 ROM has been already made available for the same device, but in that case we are talking about a ported built of CyanogenMod 12.1 (you can learn how to install CM 12.1 on OnePlus One by checking the link from above), which means that you had to tweak your smartphone for being able to enjoy the latest Android OS. Well, that’s not the case no more.

So, Oxygen OS can be anytime downloaded and flashed (manually) on your OnePlus One. However, the installation guide is not that easy to complete as you will have to make things similar as in case of a custom ROM firmware. So, if you want to test the Oxygen OS that’s based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware, first you will have to unlock your OnePlus One and then you will have to install a custom recovery image on your phone. Why should you do all that? Basically, that’s the only way in which you can update your handset so far.

The Oxygen OS is of course a stable Android 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware that can be installed on the OnePlus One. The ROM has been officially developed for the mentioned phone, so you cannot use this guide for flashing the update on a different or similar Android based device – if you do so, then you can brick your smartphone. Now, according to the users who have already completed this update procedure, the Oxygen OS is working without problems as there aren’t reported any issues. So, what do you say, are you ready to download and flash Oxygen OS on your own OnePlus One?

If the answer is yes, then don’t forget to flash TWRP recovery on your phone – TWRP recovery is recommended by OnePlus. Do note that you will have to apply the update package through a custom recovery image, so ensure that your phone is running on the same software. Good; after that, also backup your data as you don’t want to lose anything that’s personal while you try to update your OnePlus One to official Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS.

Sine a custom recovery image is installed on your phone, use the software and save the current ROM that is running on your handset. By completing this backup operation you will be sure that nothing bad happens while using Oxygen OS. With a Nandroid backup enabled you can afterwards complete a proper downgrade operation without using complex and risky procedures.

Do note that you can update your OnePlus One to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Oxygen OS only if you can use a computer – deactivate antivirus programs from this computer as security features might interfere with the download process. Moreover, in order to make things work, on your phone you have to enable USB debugging option from the following path “menu -> settings -> developer options”. Remember that USB debugging option will be displayed only if developer rights are being ensured – you can do so from “menu -> settings -> about phone” (just tap several times on built number and that’s it).

I strongly recommend you to charge your phone at this point. Basically, you shouldn’t resume the steps from below if the battery power left on your device is lower than 50%. If it is and you continue this tutorial, your OnePlus One might get powered off while you try to install Oxygen OS. Well, if that’s happening, prepare for various software related issues and even for a dangerous hardware brick – the software problems can be manually addressed while the hard brick can be resolved only if you take your smartphone back to service.

How to Install Oxygen OS on OnePlus One and Update to Official Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS

1. Download the Oxygen OS Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update file from this page.
2. Save this file on your computer, but don’t unzip the package.
3. Next, establish a connection (via USB cable) between your OnePlus One and your computer and place the firmware file on your device.
4. Disconnect your devices and then turn off your phone.
5. After doing so, wait a few seconds and then reboot recovery mode on your Android device.
6. Perfect; from recovery you now need to hard reset your One and to clear cache – in most cases you have to select “wipe data factory reset” followed by “wipe cache partition” and by “wipe dalvik cache”.
7. When done, from the same recovery mode menu you have to load the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop software and you also have to flash the Oxygen OS – basically, select “install zip from SD card” and “choose zip from SD card”.
8. After updating your OnePlus One, return to main menu of recovery and select “reboot system now”.

Well, you are done as you have successfully completed all the steps. So, from now on you can enjoy Android 5.0.2 Lollipop via Oxygen OS on your own OnePlus One.