OnePlus’ November Update Adds Automatic Remote PC Unlocking — Here’s Who Gets It – TechRepublic

OnePlus phones can now take care of a PC unlock step that previously required a tap. The company’s November update adds automatic unlocking during supported remote connections.

Announced November 10, the OS C20P01 update introduces automatic unlocking to Device Connect on eligible phones running OxygenOS 16 or later. The feature uses a saved password during a remote PC session, though availability depends on the phone’s hardware, software, and region.

Unlike proximity-based unlocking, it does not automatically unlock a Windows PC simply because a OnePlus phone is nearby. Users must first establish a supported remote connection and enable the setting.

How automatic PC unlocking works

OnePlus introduced the setting, called “Automatically unlock when connected,” in its November update announcement. It removes the need to manually trigger PC unlocking during subsequent supported remote connections.

To enable it, users establish a remote connection, tap the More icon on the floating ball, select Unlock PC, and turn on Automatically unlock when connected. The setting requires manual activation and does not replace Windows’ regular sign-in options.

The company’s July 2026 OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 12 already allowed users to lock and unlock a connected PC remotely without entering its password manually. November’s addition automates that existing capability.

The feature builds on OnePlus’ O+ Connect platform, which supports remote PC access and other cross-device functions. Microsoft has also explored deeper Windows 11 phone integration, including file sharing and system-level phone controls.

OnePlus has not explained how the saved password is protected or how automatic unlocking interacts with Windows authentication. Existing protections, including Windows Hello and passkeys, are covered in the Windows 11 security cheat sheet.

Users with company-managed computers should check their organization’s remote-access policies before enabling automatic unlocking. Recent Windows 11 Remote Desktop failures involving Administrator protection illustrate a separate compatibility concern for Windows administrators.

Eligible devices and rollout dates

The November update covers several OnePlus generations, including the OnePlus Open, OnePlus 15, 13, 12, and 11 series, OnePlus 10 Pro, multiple Nord models, and OnePlus Pad tablets.

The list covers the broader software release, not guaranteed access to every feature. Automatic PC unlocking is specifically listed for OxygenOS 16 and later, with compatibility depending on individual device capabilities.

The update uses version C20P01(BRB1EX01) for phones and C20P01(BRB3EX01) for tablets. The rollout plan began October 27, 2026, with OnePlus targeting approximately November 19 for delivery across the listed devices. Feature availability still depends on the model.

Deployment includes India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and selected European and Middle Eastern markets. North America is excluded from this particular rollout because OnePlus uses a different regional release strategy. No alternative availability date has been announced.

To check for the update, open Settings > About device and select the OxygenOS card. The installed SOTA version appears under Settings > About device > Version > SOTA version.

The release also improves translation on supported ColorOS 17 devices and includes stability enhancements. The update offers a more convenient way to access a remotely connected PC, but users should check their device’s update log before looking for the setting. North American owners will need to wait for confirmation of availability through a different release channel.

Read more: Microsoft is testing a separate Windows 11 sign-in improvement that lets users enter their PIN without waiting for facial or fingerprint recognition to finish.