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software:nothing_os [08 May 2026 17:36] – added NOS 4.1 Amos Ardnachsoftware:nothing_os [02 September 2026 09:41] (current) – Approved Adam
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 {{infobox> {{infobox>
 name = Nothing OS name = Nothing OS
-image = nothing_os_3.0.webp | A screenshot of a homescreen built on Nothing OS 3.0 +image = nothing_os_5.webp | A promotional image for Nothing OS 5.0 
-Source = u/AdaaamB on Reddit+Source = Nothing
 Based on = Android (starting with Android 12) Based on = Android (starting with Android 12)
 License = Closed source License = Closed source
-Version public release dates = OS 1.0 - mid 2022\\ OS 1.5 - February 2023\\ OS 2.0 - August 2023\\ OS 2.5 - December 2023\\ OS 3.0 - December 2024\\ OS 3.5 - July 2025\\ OS 4.0 - November 2025+Version public release dates = OS 1.0 - mid 2022\\ OS 1.5 - February 2023\\ OS 2.0 - August 2023\\ OS 2.5 - December 2023\\ OS 3.0 - December 2024\\ OS 3.5 - July 2025\\ OS 4.0 - November 2025\\ OS 5.0 - October 2026
 }} }}
-Nothing OS is the proprietary Android-based operating system developed by Nothing for its own smartphones and [[:cmf|CMF by Nothing]] phone series. First introduced in 2022, it emphasises a minimalist, modern design aesthetic paired with thoughtful utility.+Nothing OS is the proprietary Android-based operating system developed by Nothing for its own smartphones and [[:cmf|CMF by Nothing]] phone series. First introduced in 2022, it emphasises a minimalist, modern design aesthetic paired with thoughtful utility. It works best alongside the [[:software:nothing_launcher|Nothing Launcher]], which is the primary Android launcher developed by Nothing.
  
 ====== History & Development ====== ====== History & Development ======
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 ===== Nothing OS 4.0 ===== ===== Nothing OS 4.0 =====
-The first Nothing OS build powered by Android 16 entered Closed Beta, exclusive to [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]] devices, in August 2025 after being announced 30 July 2025.((https://nothing.community/d/38691)) The Open Beta began on 30 September, and was initially open to [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]], [[hardware:phone_2a_series|Phone (2a)]], [[hardware:phone_2a_series|Phone (2a) Plus]] and [[hardware:phone_2|Phone (2)]] users.((https://nothing.community/d/43141)) The Open Beta then expanded to [[hardware:phone_3a_series|Phone (3a)]] and [[hardware:phone_3a_series|Phone (3a) Pro]] users on 24 October.((https://nothing.community/d/45141))+{{ :software:lock_glimpse.webp|A promotional image of the Lock Glimpse feature. Source: [[https://nothing.community/d/45348|nothing.community]]}}The first Nothing OS build powered by Android 16 entered Closed Beta, exclusive to [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]] devices, in August 2025 after being announced 30 July 2025.((https://nothing.community/d/38691)) The Open Beta began on 30 September, and was initially open to [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]], [[hardware:phone_2a_series|Phone (2a)]], [[hardware:phone_2a_series|Phone (2a) Plus]] and [[hardware:phone_2|Phone (2)]] users.((https://nothing.community/d/43141)) The Open Beta then expanded to [[hardware:phone_3a_series|Phone (3a)]] and [[hardware:phone_3a_series|Phone (3a) Pro]] users on 24 October.((https://nothing.community/d/45141))
  
 The general release of OS 4.0 started with [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]] on 21 November 2025, and rolled out to the rest of the Nothing & CMF line-up over the following weeks. The general release of OS 4.0 started with [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]] on 21 November 2025, and rolled out to the rest of the Nothing & CMF line-up over the following weeks.
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 New and improved features with OS 4.0 included restoring Hidden Apps (as well as keeping Private Space), redesigned first party app icons, new clock faces, a status bar refresh, dual floating icons, extra dark mode, smoother animations, an expanded Glyph Progress, more 1x1 and 2x1 layouts for existing widgets, Universal Search settings, and access to download [[software:essential_apps_and_playground|Playground Essential Apps]].  New and improved features with OS 4.0 included restoring Hidden Apps (as well as keeping Private Space), redesigned first party app icons, new clock faces, a status bar refresh, dual floating icons, extra dark mode, smoother animations, an expanded Glyph Progress, more 1x1 and 2x1 layouts for existing widgets, Universal Search settings, and access to download [[software:essential_apps_and_playground|Playground Essential Apps]]. 
  
-{{ :software:lock_glimpse.jpg|A promotional image of the Lock Glimpse feature. Source: [[https://nothing.community/d/45348|nothing.community]]}}For [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]] specifically, [[software:glyph_mirror|Glyph Mirror]] now allowed users to capture an image in [[software:glyph_interface#glyph_matrix|Glyph Matrix]] style, two new Glyph Toys were introduced: Hourglass & Lunar Cycle, a pocket mode for [[software:glyph_interface#glyph_matrix|Glyph Matrix]] was introduced, and an option to choose between Vibrate or Silent mode when using Flip to Glyph.((https://nothing.community/d/47265))+For [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]] specifically, [[software:glyph_mirror|Glyph Mirror]] now allowed users to capture an image in [[software:glyph_interface#glyph_matrix|Glyph Matrix]] style, two new Glyph Toys were introduced: Hourglass & Lunar Cycle, a pocket mode for [[software:glyph_interface#glyph_matrix|Glyph Matrix]] was introduced, and an option to choose between Vibrate or Silent mode when using Flip to Glyph.((https://nothing.community/d/47265))
  
 On [[hardware:phone_3a_series|Phone (3a) series]] devices and [[:cmf|CMF phones]], Nothing introduced Lock Glimpse - a feature supposed to bring "fresh, high-quality wallpapers to your lock screen, curated to your taste across nine categories". The introduction of Lock Glimpse faced immediate backlash from the community, hailing it as "bloatware" on an otherwise clean and minimal OS.((https://nothing.community/d/45213)) Nothing released a number of statements and updates around this feature, ultimately deciding to fully remove it on [[hardware:phone_3a_series|(a) series]] devices as of 9 January 2026.((https://nothing.community/d/45348)) On [[hardware:phone_3a_series|Phone (3a) series]] devices and [[:cmf|CMF phones]], Nothing introduced Lock Glimpse - a feature supposed to bring "fresh, high-quality wallpapers to your lock screen, curated to your taste across nine categories". The introduction of Lock Glimpse faced immediate backlash from the community, hailing it as "bloatware" on an otherwise clean and minimal OS.((https://nothing.community/d/45213)) Nothing released a number of statements and updates around this feature, ultimately deciding to fully remove it on [[hardware:phone_3a_series|(a) series]] devices as of 9 January 2026.((https://nothing.community/d/45348))
  
 ====Nothing OS 4.1==== ====Nothing OS 4.1====
 +Nothing OS 4.1 was introduced in [[hardware:phone_4a_series|Phone (4a) series]] launch posts on 5 March 2025.  It was the first major update to Nothing OS 4.0, introducing a more vibrant and customisable lock screen, two relaxation-focused widgets, and upgraded Live Notification support for the [[glyph_interface|Glyph Interface]]. A few enhancements like polished animations, frame-interpolated transitions, and faster app launches were also made. With [[hardware:phone_4a_series|Phone (4a) series]] and Nothing OS 4.1, [[software:essential_space|Essential Space]] started supporting cloud access, enabling seamless cross-platform use across phones, desktops, laptops, watches, and more.((https://nothing.community/d/53745))((https://nothing.community/d/53744))
  
-Nothing OS 4.1 was introduced in Phone(4a) and Phone(4a) Pro launch posts on 5 March 2025  It was the first major update to Nothing OS 4.0, introducing more vibrant, customisable lock screen, two relaxation-focused widgets, upgraded Live Notifications across the screens and Glyph Interface. Few enhancements like Polished animations, frame-interpolated transitions, and faster app launches were also made. With Phone(4a) series and Nothing OS 4.1 Essential Space started supporting cloud access, enabling seamless cross-platform use across phones, desktops, laptops, watches, and more  ((https://nothing.community/d/53745)) ((https://nothing.community/d/53744))+Nothing OS 4.1 started rolling out to [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]] devices starting from 23 April 2026. Nothing introduced Essential Voice, a new lock screen clock, an improved Live Update integration, cleaner Essential Notifications and made some stability and security enhancements.(( https://nothing.community/d/56170))
  
-Nothing OS 4.1 started rolling out to Phone (3) starting from 23 April 2026 Nothing Introducing Essential Voice, New Lock Screen Clock, Improved Live Update Integration, Cleaner Essential Notifications and made some Stability, Security Enhancements. (( https://nothing.community/d/56170))+===== Nothing OS 5.0 ===== 
 +{{:software:nothing_os_5_screenshot.webp |A Nothing OS 5.0 homescreen and Collector widget. Source: [[https://x.com/singularity_ux/status/2093262124625661990|@singularity_ux on X]]}}Nothing OS 5.0, built on Android 17, was announced in August 2026 and brought a large number of improvements and new features. The Open Beta began with [[hardware:phone_3|Phone (3)]] on 26 August 2026, with more eligible devices planned to join over the following months. Nothing released an official rollout timeline listing the expected months each device could participate in the Open Beta as well as the general release. The update represents a further evolution of Nothing's design language, introducing a new software material combining transparency with a subtle frosted effect, the Geist typeface as the system font, and a new colour engine which adapts elements such as icons, widgets and controls to the colours of the user's wallpaper.((https://nothing.community/d/61774-nothing-os-evolution)) 
 + 
 +Nothing OS 5.0 also introduced a redesigned Settings interface, with an option to separate Settings and Notifications panels, a cleaner status bar with custom system icons and animations, updated Camera controls and QR code scanning, and improvements to the [[software:nothing_gallery|Nothing Gallery]], including sorting, filtering and album organisation. The redesigned homescreen adds a new theme with translucent widgets alongside the existing Nothing OS style, as well as wallpaper-adaptive colours and easier batch editing, allowing the user to select multiple apps and widgets to move simultaneously . The lock screen gains two new clock faces, "Gooey" and "Micrographics" and additional colour options - a popular feature request since Nothing OS began.  
 + 
 +Two new widgets were introduced: Away Time, which tracks periods of phone downtime, and Collector, which utilises the camera to add items to a visual collection. The [[software:glyph_interface|Glyph Interface]] also received a dedicated app bringing supported Glyph features, sounds, ringtones and schedules together, while the Glyph Timer can now be started directly from a homescreen widget. Performance improvements include smarter background management, faster app launches, improved scrolling and touch response, and animations which respond more naturally when an interaction is reversed midway through. Bluetooth controls in Quick Settings were also redesigned to make connecting and disconnecting supported devices quicker. 
 + 
 +Essential AI features were given an expansion too. Improvements to [[:essential#essential_voice|Essential Voice]] introduced cleaner transcription, list detection and real-time transcription, alongside planned real-time translation. [[:software:essential_space|Essential Space]] gained Smart Collections, which can recommend captures for collections and suggest new collections, as well as read-only Model Context Protocol (MCP) support for compatible AI platforms. [[:software:essential_apps_and_playground|Essential Apps]] Builder also moved onto the phone as an app, allowing users to create AI-powered tools and widgets using natural language without writing code.((https://nothing.community/d/61730-nothing-os-50-new-features-explained))