When the OnePlus 9 launched in early 2021, it was the perfect swan song for OxygenOS 11. The hardware was flagship-grade, the Hasselblad-tuned cameras were promising, and the software was clean, fast, and lightweight.
This will wipe your phone and relock the bootloader if it was unlocked. Downgrade Oneplus 9 To Android 11
Then came Android 12 (OxygenOS 12). What followed was a disaster of epic proportions—buggy animations, aggressive battery killing, a half-baked "Material You" design, and the controversial merger with Oppo’s ColorOS. For many, the OnePlus 9 became a frustrating paperweight. When the OnePlus 9 launched in early 2021,
The "never settle" phone forced many users to settle for a buggy Android 12. Here’s your escape route. Then came Android 12 (OxygenOS 12)
If you are one of those users, you have two choices: live with the lag, or downgrade. This feature explains why you should consider going back to Android 11 and how to do it safely. Before you wipe your phone, let’s be clear: Downgrading erases all your data. Back up your photos, messages, and files. There is no "in-place" downgrade.
OnePlus has since released OxygenOS 13 (Android 13), which fixes some bugs but remains heavier than Android 11. The consensus in the OnePlus community is clear:
You need the latest security updates, use Android 12’s privacy features, or hate the idea of wiping your phone every two years.