British consumer electronics brand Nothing has officially begun rolling out NothingOS 4.0, its major Android 16-based update, starting with its latest flagship, the Nothing Phone 3. The software upgrade brings a refined interface, deeper AI integration, upgraded Glyph features and improved performance across the system. The rollout has started after an extended open beta phase, and the update size for the Phone 3 is around 3 GB for most users.
While Nothing has not published a final device eligibility list yet, the company has confirmed that older models from both Nothing and CMF will receive the update shortly. Models such as the Phone 2, Phone 2a, Phone 2a Plus, Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro are expected to be part of the first wave. The company is also preparing to launch the Phone 3a Lite in India on 27 November, and it may ship with NothingOS 4.0 out of the box.
What’s New in NothingOS 4.0 for the Nothing Phone 3
1. Upgraded Glyph Interface With Live Updates
One of the biggest highlights of NothingOS 4.0 is the expanded functionality for the rear Glyph Matrix.
- Glyph Progress now uses Android 16’s Live Updates API to show real-time information for deliveries, ride-hailing services, timers and more.
- New Glyph Toys like Hourglass and Lunar Cycle bring fresh animated experiences.
- Flip to Glyph gets more customisation options and can now automatically switch the phone to silent or vibrate mode.
- Glyph Mirror Selfie has been improved to save the original mirrored photo as an additional file in the Gallery.
- Pocket Mode disables the Glyph LEDs when the phone is in your pocket, reducing accidental touches and improving battery life.
- Community-made creations can now be accessed easily from the Glyph Toys section within the Nothing Playground.
2. Essential Space and On-device AI Improvements
Nothing continues to push its AI-first strategy with NothingOS 4.0.
- Essential Space on the Phone 3 now features an upgraded AI activity dashboard, offering clearer insight into how on-device AI models operate. This enhances transparency around local processing.
- A new status bar indicator alerts users when a large AI model is active in the background.
3. Essential Apps and Widget Builder
NothingOS 4.0 introduces a new feature called Essential Apps, which are lightweight, AI-generated tools built using the Widget Builder inside the Nothing Playground.
- Users can describe the kind of widget they want, and the AI automatically creates it.
- These mini apps can be customised and added to the home screen.
- The ability to share Essential Apps with other users further enhances Nothing’s community-focused ecosystem.
4. Photography Enhancements
- The standout addition is the new “Stretch” preset, developed in collaboration with fashion photographer Jordan Hemingway.
- The preset enhances shadows, boosts highlights and introduces a cinematic texture to images straight from the Camera app.
- Older models, such as the Phone 2 series, are also expected to receive the Stretch preset with the stable rollout.
5. UI Refresh and System Design
NothingOS 4.0 brings a significant UI overhaul:
- Redesigned icons, updated animations and a cleaner overall interface.
- Revamped Quick Settings layout for a more uniform look.
- Additional lock screen clock styles and expanded widget sizes.
- Improved Extra Dark Mode with deeper blacks for better readability, reduced eye strain and improved efficiency on OLED screens.
- Enhanced haptics for features such as volume control.
6. Multitasking and Productivity Upgrades
- The updated Pop-up View now supports two floating windows at once, allowing users to keep multiple tasks in view.
- Swiping up from the bottom edge collapses an app into a floating bubble; pulling it down restores full screen.
- Apps can now be hidden from the app drawer without uninstalling them.
- Performance improvements include a new App Optimisation system for faster app launches and more efficient resource allocation during multitasking.
7. Performance, Stability and System Tools
- NothingOS 4.0 introduces a new System and Apps Dashboard, giving users more visibility into background activities.
- Improves system stability, thermal management and battery performance.
- Nothing advises users to back up their data before installing the update due to major system-level changes.
Rollout Details and Supported Devices
The official stable rollout of NothingOS 4.0 began on 21 November 2025.
- The Nothing Phone 3 is receiving the update first.
- Early adopters confirm an update package of around 3 GB, depending on region and previous beta installations.
- Other models expected to receive the update shortly include:
- Nothing Phone 2
- Phone 2a and 2a Plus
- Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro
- The update is rolling out in phases, and not all units will receive it on day one.
- Some users have reported minor issues with Glyph Toys crashing, which is typical in early rollouts.
Nothing has also confirmed that the controversial Lock Glimpse feature remains disabled by default on Phone 3a models, following user feedback earlier this year.
Conclusion
NothingOS 4.0 is one of the company’s most ambitious software updates to date, introducing deep AI integration, a smarter and more functional Glyph system, camera improvements and a refreshed visual design. The update solidifies Nothing’s focus on user-centric features, customisation and a unique identity within the Android ecosystem.
With the rollout already underway for the Phone 3 and scheduled to reach more models within days, Nothing’s entire smartphone lineup is set to receive a significant software upgrade before the end of the month.