Nothing Officially Releases Nothing OS 4.0 'Flow' Update Based on Android 16 Starting Today

London-based consumer tech brand Nothing has officially kicked off the stable rollout of Nothing OS 4.0, its custom skin built on Android 16, starting November 21, 2025. Codenamed 'Flow', this major update emphasizes smoother animations, deeper AI integration with user transparency, refined visuals, and enhanced multitasking—delivering a more intuitive and personalized experience.

After an extended open beta phase that began in late October 2025, Nothing thanked beta testers for their feedback and confirmed the general release via its community forum and social channels. The company teased the update with the tagline: “Let your phone bring flow to your life.”

The rollout is phased and over-the-air (OTA), meaning not all eligible devices will receive it simultaneously. Flagship models like the Nothing Phone (3) are expected to get it first, followed by others in waves over the coming days and weeks.

Key New Features in Nothing OS 4.0

Nothing OS 4.0 combines core Android 16 improvements (such as better notification grouping, adaptive alert volumes, and enhanced privacy tools) with Nothing's signature minimalist tweaks and AI-focused additions:

• Extra Dark Mode: Deeper blacks and higher contrast for comfortable nighttime use, potentially improving battery life on OLED screens.
• Pop-Up View Multitasking: Support for two floating app windows with easy swipe gestures to shrink/expand—ideal for quick task-switching.
• Lock Glimpse Widget: A customizable lock screen panel showing curated wallpapers, timely notifications, and app updates (e.g., ride/delivery tracking). It's optional and disabled by default on Phone 3a series for privacy.
• Essential Apps: AI-generated lightweight widgets creatable and shareable via the Nothing Playground portal (up to 6 on Phone 3, 2 on others temporarily for performance).
• Refreshed Quick Settings & UI: Cleaner pill-shaped toggles, wider tiles, new lock screen clock styles, and polished animations for a "flowing" feel.
• Camera Enhancements: 'Stretch' mode (wider, sharper shots with cinematic shadows/highlights) now on Phone 2 series; improved stability overall.
• AI Transparency Dashboard: View how on-device AI models work and manage resource usage.
• Performance Boosts: Faster app launches, smarter brightness adjustment, improved AOD/lock screen responsiveness, and better system stability.

Other Android 16 perks include grouped notifications, reduced alert spam, and stronger security features.

Supported Devices for Nothing OS 4.0

Nothing has not released an exhaustive official list yet, but devices in the open beta and those within promised update cycles are confirmed eligible. Nothing Phone (1) is excluded as it has reached the end of its 3 major OS update commitment.

First-wave devices (likely starting November 21):

• Nothing Phone (3)
• Nothing Phone (3a) / (3a) Pro
• Nothing Phone (2)
• Nothing Phone (2a) / (2a) Plus

Expected soon after:

• Nothing Phone (3a) Lite (if released)
• CMF by Nothing phones (e.g., CMF Phone 1, CMF Phone 2 Pro) still under update guarantee

Nothing promises:

• Up to 5 years of OS updates for Phone (3)
• 3–4 years for most others
• Extended security patches

How to Check for and Install the Update

1. Go to Settings > System > System Update.
2. Tap Check for Updates (ensure stable Wi-Fi and >50% battery).
3. If available, download and install (backup data first as it's a large file).

If not visible yet, be patient—phased rollouts can take weeks. Avoid sideloading unofficial builds.

Why This Update Matters

Nothing OS 4.0 positions Nothing as a leader in thoughtful, user-centric Android skins—focusing on polish over bloat. With 'Flow', the brand delivers faster major updates than in previous years, competing strongly against Pixel-like experiences while retaining its unique dot-matrix aesthetic and Glyph integration (enhanced on supported models).

Users report the beta was stable, so the final build should be smooth. This is Nothing's most ambitious software release yet, blending AI utility with privacy controls amid growing concerns over on-device processing.

This report is based on official Nothing announcements and verified coverage from Economic Times, Android Authority, 91mobiles, Mint, Times of India, and GSMArena (as of November 21, 2025). Check your device regularly for the OTA notification. android 16 nothing os 4.0 Thank You .... #nothingos4.0