While OnePlus is currently testing Android Nougat software for its OnePlus 3 series, the company is maintaining a stony silence in regard to its 2015 series flagship phone.
If previous release patterns are to be believed, the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) of the update for OnePlus 2 is the first quarter of 2017 if not later.
If patience is not your strongest suit, OnePlus 2 owners can try installing custom ROMs. FireHound series is one of the popular firmware out there in the XDA Developer Forum.
In addition to Nougat features, it is also expected to bring its own exclusive themes, wallpapers, performance tweaks and personalised options to enhance user experience.
Also read: Android 7.0 Nougat released: 16 key upgrades of Google's new mobile OS update over Marshmallow
That being said, FireHound custom ROM is an experimental version. So, there are chances of some bugs in it. We urge our readers to go through the whole tutorial to assess the risk involved and then go ahead with the software installation.
Prerequisites [Things to remember before installing Custom ROM]:
- This new FireHound [unofficial] Android 7.0 Nougat custom ROM has to be installed only on OnePlus 2 model; if tried on other devices, it might brick them [To check your device model: Go to Settings >> About phone >> Model Number]
- Make sure the device is rooted (Bootloader unlocked) before going forward. [How to unlock Bootloader on OnePlus 2]
- Though installing custom ROM improves the device's performance and UI experiences, it makes the company warranty void and it will no longer be liable to provide updates in future [users can restore warranty by flashing the device with stock-ROM].
- Installation of custom ROM requires clearing of memory in the smartphone. So make sure to back all the data by installing Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery/ TWRP
- Make sure you have installed USB drivers on the PC, or else the device will not be recognised by the computer.
- Make sure your device has more than 80 percent battery, or else there is a chance of the smartphone getting temporarily bricked if the installation process is interrupted mid-way.
[Disclaimer: This procedure is very technical and should be performed by a person with sound knowledge of rooting (or manual software installation) Android devices. If the step-by-step installation process is not followed properly, there are chances of the smartphone getting bricked or being permanently irreparable. IBTimes India cannot be held responsible for any damage or claims from readers if the procedure does not yield the required results or if the smartphone is bricked. Hence, users are advised to proceed with caution.]
Tutorial: Step-by-step installation procedure of FireHound [unofficial] Android 7.0 Nougat custom ROM on OnePlus 2 model via TWRP recovery method:
Step 1: Download FireHound [unofficial] Android 7.0 Nougat custom ROM and Google Apps in to your PC.
[Scroll to find the downloadable files]
Step 2: Connect OnePlus 2 to the computer
Step 3: Place the Android Nougat AOSP ROM into the phone's storage memory.
[Note: Users are advised to paste the .zip file in the storage root folder, not in any other folder.]
Step 4: Turn off device and disconnect it from PC
Step 5: Perform Recovery mode sorties by long pressing Volume (Down) + Power buttons
Step 6: Once entering the TWRP settings menu, clear phone's memory (full) by selecting 'Wipe' option. Once done, select – 'Swipe to Factory Reset' perform factory reset
Step 7: Return to TWRP settings and tap 'Install' by the selecting .Zip file in the phone's memory downloaded from PC
Step 8: Come back to TWRP menu setting to approve the installation by tapping 'Swipe to Confirm Flash'
Step 9: Flashing of the custom ROM begins and after few minutes, a message 'Successful' appears on the screen, thus completing installation.
Step 10: If faced with boot loop problem, navigate back to TWRP settings, and select 'Wipe cache/dalvik'. This procedure will help resolve any issue with regard to custom ROM installation
Downloadable files:
OnePlus 2 FireHound Android 7.0 Nougat custom ROM: HERE
Google Apps: HERE
[Credits: FireHound]
