Nothing Phone (3a) Series Update History

What's New in This Update

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• ⚙️ Enhanced overall system stability.
• 🛡️ Updated to September 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

• 📸 Improved flash torch reliability for a more stable recording experience.
• 🔍 Fixed an occasional issue where the search bar could disappear from the home screen.
• ⚙️ Enhanced overall system stability.
• 🛡️ Updated to August 2026 security patch.
• 📡 This update includes an adjustment related to Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. We recommend updating your device to the latest software version.

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.
• 📱 Fixed some display glitches across various cases for better consistency.
• 📷 Enhanced overall camera stability.
• ⚙️ 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

• 🍃 Optimised the stability of Time-lapse mode shooting in the Camera app.
• 🔭 Fixed an issue where the SuperRes zoom frame could remain on the screen when switching 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

Camera Enhancements

• 🖼️ Improved watermark consistency between the preview and final photos.
• 🌃 Improved colour balance for rear-camera Night mode at 4× zoom and above.
• 📹 Optimised preview and recording stability at certain zoom levels in Video mode.
• 📷 Enhanced overall camera stability.

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• 📰 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.
• 😎 Apps in private space are now available to be updated via Google Play Store.
• ⚙️ 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.

What's New in This Update

Visual Enhancements

• 🔋 Updated the battery percentage icon with the number displayed inside.
• 🎚️ Improved the smoothness of the volume slider animation when adjusting volume via keys.
• 🌑 Optimised Extra dark mode for better visual adaptation to more scenarios.
• 📼 Optimised sound wave and wheel animations in Recorder for a more fluid experience.

General Improvements and Bug Fixes

• 🔔 Setting different ringtones for dual SIMs is now supported.
• 📳 Optimised the vibration and haptic feedback across more scenarios.
• 🦻 Optimised the sound volume during calls with Oticon Zircon 2 miniRITE T hearing aids.
• 📹 Optimised power consumption during rear camera video recording.
• 🚶 Enhanced the stability of the Pedometer widgets.
• 📱 Fixed display issues in the status bar, Quick Settings, and notifications for improved visual consistency.
• 🤳 Fixed an issue where faces appeared blurred when shooting at close range with the front camera.
• 🖼️ Fixed an issue where the watermark displayed an incorrect focal length or location in photos.
• 📷 Improved overall Camera stability.
• 📶 Enhanced overall network stability.
• ⚙️ Enhanced overall system stability and smoothness.
• 🌐 Updated Google Mobile Services (GMS) to the December 2025 version.
• 🛡️ Updated to December 2025 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

• 🤖 Added AI usage dashboard. When using Essential Space, it automatically tracks AI large model usage for enhanced privacy transparency. Path: Settings > Intelligence toolkit > AI usage.
• 🕶️ 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.
• ⚡ System upgrade supports app optimisation to improve startup speed. Path: Settings > Apps > App optimisation.

Essential Innovations

• 📝 Flip to Record now lets you take photos and add notes while recording, all stored together for easy access in Essential Space.
• 🛝 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:

To enjoy the improved Flip to Record feature, please update Essential Space to the latest version in Google Play, which will be rolled out gradually.

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.
• 🌌 Improved transition animations in certain scenarios for a smoother, more fluid experience.

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 issue where the Glyph Interface didn’t turn off properly after using Flip to Record.
• 💬 Optimised the Phone Call Recording Notification to appear only during the first call for a better experience.

Notes:

Phone Call Recording may not be available in all regions due to local regulations.

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