We asked, you told us: You're not okay with OnePlus installing apps via updates

A large part of OnePlus’ success can be attributed to its Oxygen OS software. Its clean, stock-like UI has played a major role in the success of the OnePlus phones. However, the company’s changing approach to the software is becoming more controversial by the day.

Just yesterday, we reported that the OnePlus 8T is receiving a new Oxygen OS update in India that installs the Amazon shopping app on the phone without user consent. It seemed strange because one usually doesn’t expect to find a third-party app bundled with system updates. OnePlus, for its part, clarified that it could not pre-install the shopping app on the phone, so had to add it later via an OTA.

Keeping this in mind, we asked you, our readers, if you’re okay with OnePlus force installing third-party apps on your phones via OTA updates. Here’s how you voted in our poll.

Are you okay with OnePlus installing removable third-party apps via software updates?

Results

A total of 1,045 Android Authority readers voted on the subject, of which a resounding 77% were not in favor of OnePlus randomly dropping apps on their phones through software updates.

14.4% of the respondents voted that they’re fine with the practice. This could be the case because our poll refers to removable apps and not bloatware that can’t be uninstalled.

Meanwhile, 8.6% of the voters said that they are indifferent to OnePlus’ approach.

This isn’t the first time the company has dumped an unsolicited app on its devices. A similar incident occurred recently when the OnePlus Buds app made its way to OnePlus phones in an unauthorized manner. So the fact that most of our respondents are not okay with OnePlus forcing apps on their phones is not all that surprising.

Your comments

• Stanley Kubrick: I hate bloat…but if all bloat can be truly uninstalled, then to me, it’s a non-issue. When it cannot be uninstalled completely is when it becomes intolerable.
• Björn Lundén: It’s at least somewhat understandable when it happens in a region where the retail price of the phone is heavily discounted, like India. It’s still questionable to add them in later though. Potential buyers should be able to vote with their wallets. If we’re talking about regions paying full price, it’s unacceptable.
• Kavlito: Just when I was considering the OnePlus to replace my Pixel. I will not be investing in OnePlus!
• JRMoore: Why can’t manufacturers leave these kinds of things out of their devices? Don’t they realize it is detrimental to their image and alienates users?
• H1ghland3r: I started to regret buying a OnePlus 7T Pro at the beginning of this year. It seems like the company is moving on the wrong path. I want to keep this device for 2-3 years before upgrading, but if we are seeing a new Samsung company rising, I prefer to buy a Samsung phone instead.
• Seldomused: They clearly did it on purpose. The backtracking with an update to uninstall just screams, “We got caught.”

That’s it for our latest poll results article. Thank you for voting and for leaving comments! What do you make of the topic and results? Let us know in the comments below.