OxygenOS 12 for OnePlus Devices: What You Need to Know

OxygenOS 12 is the Android 12-based operating system that OnePlus rolled out to its smartphones starting in late 2021. It brings a redesigned UI, new privacy features, and deeper integration with ColorOS, but the rollout also introduced bugs and a controversial merger that changed how OnePlus software updates work. This article explains what OxygenOS 12 actually is, which devices got it, what changed, and what problems users encountered.

What Is OxygenOS 12?

OxygenOS 12 is the Android 12-based custom skin for OnePlus phones. It was announced in 2021 and began rolling out to the OnePlus 9 series in December 2021, followed by the OnePlus 8 series and Nord devices in early 2022. The update introduced a new design language called “Burberry-inspired” (though the collaboration was later dropped), with larger cards, more white space, and a new shelf page. It also added Android 12’s privacy dashboard, approximate location permissions, and microphone/camera indicators.

The most significant change was the merger of OxygenOS with Oppo’s ColorOS. OnePlus announced that the two operating systems would share a common codebase, which meant OxygenOS 12 was built on the same foundation as ColorOS 12. This led to a more uniform experience across OnePlus and Oppo devices, but also brought some ColorOS features (and quirks) to OnePlus phones.

Which OnePlus Devices Got OxygenOS 12?

OnePlus confirmed that the following devices would receive OxygenOS 12 (Android 12):

• OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro
• OnePlus 9R and 9RT
• OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro
• OnePlus 8T
• OnePlus Nord 2 and Nord CE 2
• OnePlus Nord N10 and N100 (limited regions)

Devices like the OnePlus 7 series and Nord original were not officially upgraded to Android 12; they remained on Android 11 with OxygenOS 11. The OnePlus 10 series launched with OxygenOS 12 out of the box in global markets, while in China it used ColorOS 12.

Key Changes and New Features

OxygenOS 12 brought several visible changes compared to OxygenOS 11:

• New UI design: Cards are larger, with more rounded corners and a lighter color palette. The notification shade and quick settings were rearranged.
• New shelf: The shelf (swipe down on the home screen) was redesigned with a weather card, step counter, and more customization options.
• Privacy features: Android 12’s privacy dashboard shows which apps accessed your location, camera, and microphone in the last 24 hours. You can also grant approximate location instead of precise.
• Work-Life Balance: This feature was expanded, allowing more granular scheduling and app grouping.
• Game mode: A new gaming interface with a floating window for messages and quick settings.
• Always-on display: New clock styles and the ability to show the step count.

Common Problems and User Complaints

The rollout of OxygenOS 12 was not smooth. Many users reported the following issues:

• Battery drain: Several OnePlus 9 users experienced faster battery drain after updating, which OnePlus addressed in later patches.
• Bugs and lag: Some users noticed stuttering animations, app crashes, and Wi-Fi connectivity issues.
• Camera quality changes: The camera app was updated, and some users felt the image processing changed, with colors appearing less saturated.
• Notification issues: Some apps did not show notifications properly until the user enabled them manually in the new “notification history” settings.
• Missing features: The “hidden space” for hiding apps was initially removed, though it was later reintroduced in a subsequent update.

OnePlus released several incremental updates to fix these problems, but the experience varied by device and region.

OxygenOS 12 vs. ColorOS 12: What’s the Difference?

Since OxygenOS 12 and ColorOS 12 share the same codebase, the differences are mostly in branding and a few pre-installed apps. OxygenOS retains the OnePlus icon pack, the OnePlus Shelf, and a slightly different settings layout. ColorOS includes Oppo’s apps like HeyTap and a different launcher. In practice, the update experience is nearly identical, and OnePlus confirmed that future updates would come from the merged team. This merger also meant that OnePlus phones sold in China run ColorOS, while global models run OxygenOS.

How to Update or Downgrade

To update to OxygenOS 12, go to Settings > System > System Updates and check for updates. If the update is not available, you can use the Oxygen Updater app (third-party) to download the full ROM, but be cautious about installing it manually. To downgrade back to OxygenOS 11, you need to download the official rollback package from OnePlus’s community forums and flash it via the recovery mode. This will wipe your data, so back up first. Downgrading is only recommended if you are experiencing critical issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my OnePlus 7 get OxygenOS 12?

No. OnePlus confirmed that the OnePlus 7 series would not receive Android 12. The last major update for those devices was OxygenOS 11 (Android 11). Security patches continued for a while, but no new feature updates.

Is OxygenOS 12 the same as ColorOS 12?

They share the same codebase, so the underlying Android version and most features are identical. The differences are mostly in the launcher, pre-installed apps, and branding. Some features like the OnePlus Shelf are exclusive to OxygenOS.

Why is my battery draining so fast after the update?

Battery drain after a major OS update is common because the system is re-indexing files and optimizing apps. If it persists for more than a few days, try clearing the cache partition (turn off the phone, hold Power + Volume Down, then select “Wipe cache partition”). If that doesn’t help, check for a newer update that may include battery fixes.

Can I install OxygenOS 12 on a device that didn’t get it officially?

Technically, you can flash a custom ROM based on OxygenOS 12 (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) if your bootloader is unlocked, but this is risky and may void your warranty. It is not recommended for most users because of potential bugs and security issues.

How long will OnePlus support OxygenOS 12?

OnePlus promised 2 years of major OS updates and 3 years of security patches for the OnePlus 9 series. That means OxygenOS 12 will be supported until around 2023, after which Android 13 and 14 updates will take over. Security patches for the 8 series ended in 2023.

Should You Update to OxygenOS 12?

If your device is eligible, updating to OxygenOS 12 is generally recommended because it brings the latest security patches and new features. However, if you rely on specific features that changed (like the old shelf or notification behavior), you might want to wait a few weeks after the initial rollout to let OnePlus fix bugs. For devices that are older than two years, staying on OxygenOS 11 may be more stable, but you will miss out on security updates. Always back up your data before a major update.

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