OnePlus One owners will be delighted to know that an unofficial Android 6.0 Marshmallow update is about to hit their devices. Despite being an experimental build, users who have flashed it say that it's pretty stable and working well enough.
This is a homemade build that's based on CyanogenMod version 12.1 Kernel, and the custom firmware is available via AOSP ROM.
Before we get started, keep in mind to proceed with caution, as this puts the device at risk. Now let's check the prerequisites to make sure that the installation proceeds without a hitch.
First off, OnePlus One owners will need a rooted device and an unlocked bootloader to pull this off.
Second, the USB drivers on the computer must be updated and compatible with the OnePlus One.
Third, the USB Debugging mode must be enabled on the OnePlus One. For Android 5.0 or later versions, this option can usually be found in Settings > Developer options, and for Android 2.3 or earlier, Settings > Application > Development.
Fourth, make a backup using the custom recovery tool.
Lastly, make sure that the OnePlus One has enough juice so that it won't suddenly shut off and accidentally brick the device.
Now, here's how to install Android 6.0 Marshmallow on the OnePlus One:
1. On the OnePlus One, download and install TWRP 2.8.6.
2. On the computer, download Android 6.0 AOSP ROM.
3. Connect the OnePlus One to the computer and copy the AOSP ROM to the OnePlus One.
4. Turn off the phone and disconnect the USB cable.
5. Hold down the power and volume down buttons to boot into Recovery Mode.
6. When the OnePlus One successfully boots using TWRP Recovery, tap on the Wipe button and then use the Swipe to Factory Reset.
7. Go back to the main menu and choose Install and then select the AOSP ROM zip file.
8. On the next screen, confirm the installation by swiping Swipe to Confirm Flash, and then the installation will begin.
9. Tap on Wipe Cache/Dalvik when the installation finishes, as this will prevent boot loop issues.
10. Tap on Reboot System in the Recovery menu.
If the installation goes well, the OnePlus One should be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. To confirm this, go to Settings > About and check the firmware version. Take note that the reboot might take more than five minutes to finish.
Take note that some users have reported issues with the unofficial build, such as a slight battery drain issue and malfunctioning gestures. The built-in camera also doesn't seem to work well, but third-party apps are reported to work fine.
It seems that OnePlus One owners will get to join in the Android 6.0 Marshmallow race along with newer Android devices after all.
