How to Install OTA Update on the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T with Root

If you already have root on your OnePlus 3 or OnePlus 3T, but want to install a new OTA update, then follow these steps to manually update with root access.

Rooting the OnePlus 3 opens the device up to a number of different mods and root applications that have more control over your smartphone than normal. This is great if you want to install something like Xposed Framework, BetterBatteryStats, or even a new theme with something like Layers.

However, having root access and modifying the /system partition will prevent you from downloading an installing an OTA update directly from OnePlus.

Thankfully the OnePlus 3 is very open and there is a easy way around this. Before we can manually install the OTA update with root though, you will need to have the OnePlus 3 bootloader unlocked. You need this because you also need to install TWRP on the OnePlus 3 so that we can manually install the OTA update. Technically speaking, we’re treating the new version of Oxygen OS as a custom ROM and will be “dirty flashing” it on top of our current install, and this is why you can do it with root.

Dirty flashing is a term used (as opposed to clean flashing), where you install a firmware on top of another firmware. A clean flash would require you wipe the entire device but a dirty flash enables us to install on top of our current firmware without losing our settings. I do want to note that you should go ahead and create a Nandroid backup of the OnePlus 3 before you install an OTA update. It’s always just a good idea to have a recent backup in case something bad goes wrong.

OnePlus 3 OTA Update with Root

1. Download the full firmware you want to update to
2. Copy/Move the Flashable ZIP File to the OnePlus 3
3. Download the SuperSU to the OnePlus 3
4. Copy/Move the SuperSU ZIP File to the OnePlus 3
5. Boot the OnePlus 3 into Recovery Mode
6. Tap on the ‘Install’ Button
7. Browse to and Tap on the Flashable ZIP You Downloaded
8. Swipe the White Arrows to the Right to Confirm
9. Wait for the OnePlus 3 to Manually Install the Update
10. Tap the Home Button at the Bottom
11. Tap the ‘Install’ Button
12. Browse to and Tap on the SuperSU ZIP File
13. Swipe the White Arrows to the Right to Confirm
14. Wait for SuperSU to Complete the Installation
15. Tap on the ‘Wipe Cache/Dalvik’ Button
16. Tap on the ‘Reboot System’ Button
17. Then Wait for the OnePlus 3 to Reboot Twice

Explanation

When you visit the XDA forum thread, be sure to look in the section labeled Signed Flashable ZIPs if you’re wanting to manually update like this. For me, I downloaded OxygenOS version 3.2.1, but you may want to grab an earlier version (and you might want to grab a later version if OnePlus has released a new update since writing this). Once you have downloaded this flashable ZIP file, copy or move it to the OnePlus 3 and then make sure you have the SuperSU ZIP file as well (along with any other root mods you have manually installed).

Once all of that is done, go ahead and boot the OnePlus 3 into Recovery Mode so that we can begin the install process. Again, if you don’t have a recent Nandroid backup then please create one before you start this install process. Nothing should go wrong but you never know and it’s always a good idea to have a recent backup on hand. When you’re ready, you can then tap on the Install button so you can browse to and tap on the flashable ZIP file you downloaded in step 1.

Next, you’ll want to tap on the Add More Zips file so you can browse to and tap on the SuperSU ZIP file that you downloaded in step 3. With both of these files added to the install queue, go ahead and swipe the white arrows to the right to begin the install process. As shown in the video above, this can take a few minute to complete. Just be patient and everything should install perfectly. Once the OxygenOS update and the SuperSU binaries have been installed, you can then tap on the Wipe Cache/Dalvik button that appears at the bottom of the screen.

Once that has been wiped, then you’re able to tap on the Reboot System button and then you’ll see the OnePlus 3 reboot. Just like I showed you when we first rooted the OnePlus 3, your device will go through 2 boot cycles before it completely boots up. It will seem like the OnePlus 3 has gone into a bootloop, but it will fully boot up on the second cycle so again, just be patient. Once you have fully booted back into OxygenOS, you can check the About section of the settings to make sure the new update has been installed properly.

As mentioned, this is technically called a dirty flash, and what we’re doing is installing the new firmware on top of our current one. I will be doing a article in the future (possibly tomorrow) that shows you how to sideload an OTA update on the OnePlus 3.