OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus Buds app will become available to non-OnePlus devices. This information got confirmed during a Q&A session, in Chinese.
OnePlus was asked: “Can Buds be used with phones other than OnePlus or phones before OnePlus 6. Can you customize the double-tap touch function and upgrade the headset firmware?”
OnePlus Buds app will support non-OnePlus phones in the near future
The company responded that a dedicated app for managing OnePlus audio accessories is coming in the future, and that it will support third-party Android phones with Android 6.0 and above.
It will also support the OnePlus 3, 3T, 5, and 5T. It also confirmed that this app will make it possible to customize the OnePlus Buds’ double-tap functionality, and also upgrade the firmware of the earphones.
So, we’ll essentially get what is already out there, but it won’t be limited to just some OnePlus smartphones. It will be available to Android phones in general, as it should have been from the start.
As some of you already know, OnePlus started pushing out the OnePlus Buds app to its newer smartphones. It did that whether the user wants it or not. The update simply popped up in the Play Store, and you either had to install it, or look at it every time you go to update your apps.
That was not well-received by the community. Something similar happened when Google did the same thing for its Pixel Buds app. In any case, the app is now installed on the company’s newer smartphones.
Once it arrives, it will be available to download via the Google Play Store
Once this new OnePlus Buds app arrives, an app for third-party devices, it will become available to download via the Google Play Store. OnePlus did not give an estimate on when will it arrive, though.
We’re guessing that will happen before the end of the year. In fact, it’s possible it will happen during the OnePlus 8T launch, or close to it. The company’s OnePlus Buds Z are expected to launch during that event.
The OnePlus Buds Z will become a cheaper alternative to the OnePlus Buds. So, it would make sense for OnePlus to release the OnePlus Buds app to everyone, along with the launch of OnePlus Buds Z.
We’re only guessing here, of course, but it’s possible it will happen at the time of the OnePlus Buds Z announcement. Speaking of which, the OnePlus 8T / Buds Z will launch either in September or October.
OnePlus still did not confirm the exact date for this launch, but that’s what we’re expecting. The company will probably start teasing those devices soon.