OnePlus just quietly brought back one of its most useful features — and made it better than before.
The company started rolling out the OxygenOS B40P02 update on February 5, 2026, and it is expected to reach all eligible devices by around March 5. This is not just a minor bug-fix patch. The update brings back the AI Writer feature — which OnePlus had temporarily disabled in December 2025 due to technical issues — along with major upgrades to AI Eraser, Photos app, video editing tools, and Private Safe.
The update carries version number B40P02 (BRB1EX01) for phones and B40P02 (BRB3EX01) for tablets. It is rolling out in stages, so not every user will get the notification at the same time. But if you own a OnePlus device from the OnePlus 8 series onwards — including the OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R, Nord 5 series, Nord 4 series, and Pad 3 — this update is coming your way.
AI Writer was disabled in December 2025 after users reported it was refusing to generate content related to certain geopolitically sensitive topics. OnePlus acknowledged the issue and pulled the feature to fix inconsistencies. Now it is back — but only for devices running OxygenOS 16.
The updated AI Writer now supports more writing scenarios than before. The "Write anything" feature can now generate compositions, letters, proposals, job descriptions, and video scripts. That is a meaningful expansion from the limited text generation options available in the original version. Whether you are drafting a cover letter, brainstorming a YouTube script, or writing a project proposal, AI Writer handles it on-device without sending your data to the cloud.
The AI Eraser tool — which removes unwanted objects or people from photos — has also been improved. OnePlus says the updated version makes images clearer and reduces visible traces in removed areas for a more natural effect. If you have ever tried the older AI Eraser and noticed obvious smudges or blurs where objects were removed, this update directly addresses that problem.
The Photos app received multiple upgrades as well. Gesture animations when swiping up or down while browsing images are now smoother and more responsive. The video editing function now supports cutting, splitting, multi-clip stitching, adding music and text, speed adjustment, and cropping — all without needing a third-party editing app. These are tools that content creators, students, and social media users will actually use daily.
OnePlus also added a new "Popout" option in the Collage feature and introduced an Auto Straighten function that automatically fixes tilted or distorted portraits and buildings when cropping and rotating images. The Auto Straighten feature is available on OxygenOS 15 and above on select models.
Private Safe — OnePlus's encrypted storage space for sensitive files — got a notable upgrade too. Adding images and files is now faster, and users can now edit photos and videos directly inside Private Safe without unlocking them first. That small change makes Private Safe significantly more practical for everyday use.
The update also improves thumbnail parsing in the Photos app, speeding up how quickly thumbnails load when you open the app. It is a small behind-the-scenes change, but anyone with thousands of photos in their gallery will notice the difference.
One user on the OnePlus Community forum reported receiving the update on a OnePlus Nord CE 5 with version number CPH2717_16.0.3.500(EX01B40P02) and a total download size of 312.82MB. Another user mentioned a minor issue with location sharing in WhatsApp after the update, though that is likely a WhatsApp-side glitch rather than an OxygenOS problem.
This February 2026 update is one of the most meaningful software releases OnePlus has pushed in months. It is not flashy. There are no redesigned interfaces or bold visual changes. But it fixes real problems, restores a useful feature, and quietly makes daily tasks — writing, editing photos, managing files — genuinely easier and faster.
If you own an eligible OnePlus device, check for the update manually by going to Settings > System > System Updates. The rollout is gradual, so if you do not see it yet, it is coming within the next two weeks.
OxygenOS B40P02 update rollout began on February 5, 2026 and will complete by approximately March 5, 2026. Available for OnePlus 8 series and newer devices running OxygenOS 13 and above.
