Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Update History

What's New in This Update

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• 💬 Fixed an issue where third-party notifications could crash unexpectedly in certain scenarios.
• ⚙️ Enhanced overall system stability.
• 🛡️ Updated to October 2026 security patch.

Notes:

Your device may use more power and feel warmer during installation. Performance will return to normal after the update is complete.

What's New in This Update

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• 📱 Optimised display refresh rate stability in certain scenarios.
• ⚙️ Enhanced overall system stability.
• 🛡️ Updated to August 2026 security patch.

Notes:

Your device may use more power and feel warmer during installation. Performance will return to normal after the update is complete.

What's New in This Update

New Features

• 🪄 Lock screen customisation now supports Depth effect (Beta) and adjustable clock face sizes and alignments.
• 🎴 Depth effect (Beta) is now compatible with Atmosphere wallpapers.
• 🎧 The status bar now displays the dedicated icon of Nothing headphones when connected.

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• 🌌 Improved Launcher animations for a smoother and more fluid experience.
• 🔐 Added a security reminder for the face unlock method.
• ⚙️ Enhanced overall system stability.
• 🛡️ Updated to June 2026 security patch.

Notes:

Your device may use more power and feel warmer during installation. Performance will return to normal after the update is complete.

Nothing OS 4.1

Hi there. You’re now upgrading to Nothing OS 4.1, powered by Android 16. We'll be rolling out even more features for Nothing OS 4.1 in the future, so please stay tuned.

Take a look at what's included in this update:

New Features

• ⏲️ Introduced the lock screen clock face from Phone (3a) Community Edition, co-created with the community member Jad Zock, featuring an exclusive typeface style and unique waking-up effect.
• 📡 Live Updates now work across various scenes, such as the lock screen, notification panel, and Glyph Interface, tracking real-time progress from apps, like Google Maps, just at a glance.
• 💬 Essential Notifications settings UI has been reworked with a cleaner look and descriptions for easier use.
• 🫧 Notifications that are frequently interacted with may be suggested to be set as Essential Notification.

Notes:

Live Updates compatibility with apps depends on local availability and specific app integration.

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• 📷 Improved preset stability to ensure the correct zoom level is maintained when re-entering the Camera.
• 🖼️ Fixed an issue where the Camera app could crash when applying certain imported presets.
• 📱 Fixed some display errors in the notification panel and Quick Settings.
• ⚙️ Enhanced overall system stability and performance.
• 🛡️ Updated to April 2026 security patch.

Notes:

Your device may use more power and feel warmer during installation. Performance will return to normal after the update is complete.

What's New in This Update

New Features

• 📰 Added an Essential Notifications entry in Settings for easier access. Find it via Settings > Notifications > Essential Notifications.
• 🪀 Essential Apps now features a recommendation section in the widget library, providing quicker access to the Nothing Playground to discover AI-powered community creations.

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• ⛅ Optimised the Weather widget location permission prompt to reduce disruption.
• 📷 Enhanced overall camera stability.
• ⚙️ Enhanced overall system stability.
• 🛡️ Updated to March 2026 security patch.

Notes:

Your device may use more power and feel warmer during installation. Performance will return to normal after the update is complete.

Nothing OS 4.0

You’re now upgrading to the official release of Nothing OS 4.0, powered by Android 16. Please back up your user data (photos, call logs, contacts, etc.) before proceeding with the upgrade. Take a look at what's included in this update:

New Features

• 🕶️ Hiding apps directly from the home screen and App drawer is now supported. Find hidden apps via: Home screen > App drawer > Hidden icons.
• 🔍 Managing the search scope is now supported in App drawer to display results within a specific scope.
• 📏 Added more size options for Weather, Pedometer, Screen Time widgets.
• ↔️ 2x2 size is now supported for most QuickSettings tiles.
• 🟢 Pop-up view now supports two floating icons for easier switching.
• 🔔 Setting different ringtones for dual SIMs is now supported.
• ⚡ System upgrade supports app optimisation to improve startup speed. Path: Settings > Apps > App optimisation.

Essential Innovations

• 🛝 Introducing Playground (Alpha) — come to experience unique creations from the Community, including Essential Apps, Camera Presets, and EQ Profiles.
• 🪀 Essential Apps (Alpha) are now open for download. Enjoy the AI-powered, community-crafted apps that blend creativity with efficiency.

Notes:

For more details of Playground & Essential Apps, please visit https://playground.nothing.tech.

Visual Enhancements

• 🌠 Nothing app icons have been redesigned with an all-new, fresh look.
• 📶 Updated status bar icons with a more intuitive look.
• ⏱️ Added 2 new lock screen clock faces in Customisation.
• 🌑 Extra dark mode is now available, bringing a more immersive dark style. Path: Settings > Display > Dark theme > Extra dark mode.

Glyph Interface

• 🤫 Added a setting to choose whether Flip to Glyph switches your phone to Silent or Vibrate mode.
• 💡 Glyph Progress now uses Android 16 Live Update notifications for improved compatibility with third-party apps.

Camera Enhancements

• 🎛️ Presets: Updated default list with new popular styles.
• 🎨 Filters: Added intensity adjustment and exclusive 'Stretch' styles.
• 🎞️ Motion Photos: Supports longer recording times and audio capture.
• 🖼️ Watermarks: Introduced new Nothing brand watermarks and artistic frames.
• 📱 Interface: Refreshed camera UI design with optimised interactions.

Notes:

The device may temporarily heat up and increase power consumption during the update and will quickly return to normal after the process is complete.

What's New in This Update

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• 🖼️ Fixed the screen flicker issue when viewing HDR photos in Gallery.
• 🛡️ Updated to September security patch.
• ⚙️ Enhanced system stability and optimised system performance.

Notes:

The device may temporarily heat up and increase power consumption during the update and will quickly return to normal after the process is complete.

What's New in This Update

Camera Enhancements

• ⚙️ Added option to select the default album for preview images in the Camera app settings.
• 📷 Enhanced stability of the Camera.

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• ⌚ Fixed issue causing rapid battery drain when certain watches are connected to the phone.
• 🔗 Resolved Telegram Bluetooth call abnormalities when connected with some watches and earbuds.
• 🔤 Fixed display abnormalities of some texts in Instagram, Subito and similar apps when using Inter font.
• 🛡️ Updated August security patch.

Notes:

The device may experience temporary overheating and increased power consumption during the upgrade and will quickly return to normal after the upgrade is complete.