OnePlus users receive Google warning about ‘FactoryMode’ app

OnePlus users will see a warning from Google Play Protect after an update to OxygenOS 5.0.1 that the ‘FactoryMode’ app would pose a threat to the system. It is unclear whether this is the case for all users.

Users with a Oneplus 3 or 3T report on Reddit and the OnePlus forum that they received the warning after installing the most recent version of OxygenOS. A window will appear warning of a “malicious app” that would attempt to bypass Android’s security measures. Then users can choose to delete the app or keep it.

It is unclear what the consequences will be of the removal of FactoryMode, the Chinese company has not yet responded. XDA Developers suggests that the app is the successor to EngineerMode, which caused a stir in November after a researcher claimed it could act as a backdoor. OnePlus responded at the time by stating that it would remove the app, but that it did not see getting root with adb as a major security problem.

The same researcher, known by the aliases Elliot Alderson or fs0c131y, says via Twitter that he will also investigate FactoryMode to see what its function is. He hasn’t released any results yet.

Image via XDA