The Galaxy S21 series was the first to receive this month’s Android security update. Samsung first rolled out the new SMR with the third beta build of Android 12-based One UI 4.0. A few days later, Android 11 running Galaxy S21 units also started picking up the update, beginning in Europe. The Korean firm has since seeded the new security patch to the Galaxy S20 series, Galaxy S10 series, and the Galaxy A32 mid-ranger. Now, the rollout has reached the Galaxy S21 series in the US. According to SamMobile, who first reported this rollout, the update is available for unlocked Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra on all major wireless carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, Bluegrass Cellular, C-Spire, and Comcast. As always, it could take a few days for the OTA (over the air) update to hit all eligible units stateside. You should receive a notification once the update becomes available for your Galaxy S21 model. You can also manually check for updates by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. If an OTA update is available, you’ll be prompted to download it on the next screen.
What does the November security update bring to the Galaxy S21 series?
The latest update for the Galaxy S21 series doesn’t bring any major user-facing changes. But there are quite a few important privacy and security fixes coming along the way. According to Samsung’s updated security bulletin for November 2021, the new SMR contains fixes for more than 50 vulnerabilities, at least four of which are of critical severity. These include 13 Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) items as well. SVEs are security vulnerabilities that only affect the Korean firm’s Galaxy devices. As for new features, we are likely now just weeks away from the stable One UI 4.0 update. Samsung also already closed the beta program for new users and has implemented the final AOSP (Android Open Source Project) in the third beta build. We would not be surprised if the stable Android 12 update becomes available for the Galaxy S21 series this month. We will keep you updated.
