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Is it safe to factory reset a phone running a beta version of Android?

I have a Oneplus phone which has a beta version of Android installed. I side-loaded it a couple of years ago from the official source (Oneplus website). I don’t remember if it received any further updates, I think it didn’t. I don’t know how to revert back to a stable release. It has been working without any problems. I now want to give the phone away, so I need to factory reset it. Are there any risks to resetting a phone that runs a beta version of Android? Can resetting brick it?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Buffalox ,

No, this cannot be considered entirely safe due to FRP.
It may be safe for OnePlus devices, it depends on how the OEM has implemented FRP.
FRP is an anti theft measure, that basically bricks you device, until factory reset is confirmed by the owner.
That means you need the login information, to confirm the factory reset when the device is rebooted.
This should not usually happen, if you make the reset from the settings menu when logged in.
But if you make it from bootloader or by button combination, you could be in trouble.
androidcentral.com/factory-reset-protection-what-…
The entire FRP idea is incredibly stupid, because there is a workaround, which of course criminals learn to use routinely, but can be a major inconvenience for legal users, and may even mean permanent brick for non techie users.

lapislazuli OP , (edited )

Wow, thanks for this important detail. I’ll be doing it from the Settings menu so I hope there won’t be any issues. I’ll report back once I’ve done it. EDIT: It worked without any problems. I disabled screen locks and the Google account (just followed the Android Central instructions) and voila, Bob’s your uncle.

MedicPigBabySaver ,

No issues.

lapislazuli OP ,

Ok, good to know! Thank you! 👍

0xd34d ,

Keep in mind that a factory reset won’t put the device back on a stable release, it’s just clearing out the data for the currently installed firmware.

lapislazuli OP ,

Yup, I know a factory reset won’t revert it to stable. I’m happy with the beta because everything seems to be working okay. I can’t seem to get it to install security updates, but the app updates work. But it’s an older phone so I doubt I’d be getting security updates either way. Anyway, the person I’m giving it to will be using it like a dumb phone with a good camera, basically. Thanks for your input!

Buffalox ,

Not entirely true due to FRP that has been a thing since Lollipop.

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