OrangeFox Recovery has received a new R12.0 (vBaR) unofficial release for the Nothing Phone (1) (Spacewar). Based on the R12.1 branch, this update continues the transition to a Vendor_Boot-based recovery, bringing a cleaner installation method and improved compatibility with newer Android 16 custom ROMs.
Although this is a relatively small maintenance update, it introduces an important quality-of-life improvement by making theme settings persistent across reboots. Additionally, the recovery now automatically reinstalls itself after flashing a ROM, eliminating one of the most common inconveniences users faced when updating their devices.
If you’re regularly flashing custom ROMs, kernels, or Magisk modules on the Nothing Phone (1), this latest OrangeFox Recovery build offers a more streamlined recovery experience while maintaining compatibility with the latest Android 16-based firmware.
Screenshots:
OrangeFox Recovery R12.0 Information
- Recovery: OrangeFox Recovery
- Branch: R12.1
- Version: R12.0
- Variant: vBaR (Vendor_Boot as Recovery)
- Device: Nothing Phone (1) (Spacewar)
- Build Type: Unofficial
- Released: 17 July 2026
What’s New in OrangeFox Recovery R12.0?
While this release doesn’t introduce a long list of changes, it includes meaningful improvements that enhance everyday usability.
Persistent Theme Settings
One of the primary improvements in this release is that theme settings are now saved permanently.
Previously, users could occasionally lose their preferred OrangeFox theme configuration after rebooting or performing certain recovery operations. With this update, your selected appearance remains intact, providing a more consistent recovery experience every time you boot into OrangeFox.
Automatic Recovery Reinstallation
A major convenience feature introduced with the vBaR builds is the ability to automatically reinstall OrangeFox after installing a custom ROM.
Traditionally, flashing a ROM could overwrite the recovery partition or require users to manually reinstall their custom recovery afterward. This new functionality significantly simplifies the update process by ensuring OrangeFox remains available after compatible ROM installations.
For users who frequently test or switch between custom ROMs, this saves time and reduces the risk of accidentally losing access to the recovery environment.
What is vBaR?
The vBaR (Vendor_Boot as Recovery) variant uses the device’s vendor_boot partition instead of the traditional boot image to provide recovery functionality.
This approach offers better compatibility with modern Android devices and aligns with newer partition layouts introduced in recent Android releases. It is particularly beneficial for devices running Android 16-based custom ROMs, where recovery implementation has evolved alongside Google’s updated boot architecture.
Because of these architectural differences, the installation procedure is not the same as older boot-based OrangeFox releases.
Official Changelog
- Theme settings made persistent
Installation Notes
Before installing OrangeFox Recovery R12.0, keep the following recommendations in mind:
- This release is based on Vendor_Boot (vBaR).
- Carefully follow the official installation guide.
- Installation steps differ from older boot-based OrangeFox releases.
- If you are switching from the previous boot-based OrangeFox, first restore your current ROM’s original boot.img before installing the new recovery.
- Users already running a vBaR build can simply flash the latest recovery directly from OrangeFox.
- OrangeFox now automatically reinstalls itself after flashing compatible ROMs.
Following these instructions carefully helps avoid installation issues and ensures a smooth migration to the new recovery implementation.
Known Issues
At the time of release, no known issues have been reported.
If you encounter bugs, the maintainer recommends submitting a proper dmesg or recovery log to assist with troubleshooting.
Who Should Install This Recovery?
This OrangeFox release is ideal for users who:
- Frequently install custom ROMs.
- Flash Magisk or KernelSU.
- Install custom kernels or modules.
- Want a feature-rich touch recovery.
- Need compatibility with modern Android 16 ROMs.
- Prefer automatic recovery persistence after ROM updates.
Important Links
Installation Guide:
https://github.com/QCerberusQ/orangefox_device_nothing_Spacewar/releases/tag/vBaR-OrangeFox
Support Group:
https://t.me/spacewarofox
Credits
Special thanks to everyone who contributed to this release.
- Maintainer: @IBoreasI
- Special thanks to @pranavsingla_00 for testing and feedback.
Final Thoughts
OrangeFox Recovery R12.0 (vBaR) may appear to be a small update on paper, but it introduces practical improvements that make recovery management easier for Nothing Phone (1) users. Persistent theme settings enhance usability, while automatic recovery reinstallation removes one of the biggest annoyances when flashing custom ROMs. Combined with its Vendor_Boot-based architecture and compatibility with modern Android 16 builds, this release provides a reliable and future-ready recovery solution for enthusiasts who regularly customize their devices.
