If you have downloaded a Nougat-based custom ROM zip file from the XDA forums, follow these steps to install it. Step 1: Wipe the Device
Because OTA (Over-the-Air) updates were not always consistent across regions, many forum guides suggest manually flashing the Nougat firmware using Oppo's recovery mode Custom ROMs:
For many, the choice came down to a simple trade-off captured in an XDA poll: . This dilemma perfectly illustrates the F3's legacy. Nougat brought modern features but locked the device down, while Marshmallow enabled root and customization but left users on an older OS. This created a fragmented user base, with some willing to downgrade for the power of root access, while others chose to stick with the newer, albeit unrootable, Nougat.
Flashing custom firmware carries risks. Ensure you complete these steps, heavily documented across XDA threads:
Before flashing any files, verify that your device hardware matches the development criteria. Flashing software intended for a different chip architecture will permanently brick your phone. Specification Oppo F3 (Standard Model) MediaTek MT6750T (28 nm) CPU Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz & 4x1.0 GHz) RAM Stock OS Android 6.0 Marshmallow (ColorOS 3.0) Official Nougat Availability No (Custom ROM required) Essential Steps to Prepare for Flashing Opposite F3 Nougat Update Forum Xda
Upgraded file safe and app encryption features. Quick Settings Redesign: Faster access to critical toggles.
Download the correct TWRP image from the XDA F3 section. Use SP Flash Tool to flash it to the recovery partition. Do not use "Download Only" mode; use "Firmware Upgrade" to avoid preloader corruption.
: Running two applications simultaneously. Enhanced Google Assistant : Smarter voice commands.
On XDA, you won't find one single "update button." Instead, you will find: If you have downloaded a Nougat-based custom ROM
: A popular custom ROM based on Android 7.1.1 (LineageOS 14.1) has historically been available for the Oppo F3, offering a stock Android experience over ColorOS.
When users search for custom ROMs like LineageOS or Pixel Experience on XDA Forums for the Oppo F3, they often run into technical limitations.
Boot into by pressing and holding the Power + Volume Down buttons. Select your preferred language.
on how to manually flash the official Nougat firmware for the Oppo F3? Oppo F3 - CPH1609 - Request a Device - /e/OS community Nougat brought modern features but locked the device
If you’d like, I can:
A final blow to the F3's upgrade potential came from news that for the device. This left the Nougat update as the final official stop for the phone, cementing its status in the XDA forums as a device whose potential was never fully unlocked by the manufacturer, leaving its future in the hands of a small, dedicated community of developers.
For the most current information and direct support, the best place to look is the itself.