Nothing
Nothing OS 4.0 Announced: Fresh Design, Extra Dark Mode, and AI Features
Nothing has officially announced Nothing OS 4.0, its upcoming major update based on Android 16. The company shared the first look in a teaser video, highlighting new design elements, smarter features, and performance improvements. The update will first be available through an open beta program before a wider rollout.
Refined Design and Interface Changes
One of the biggest highlights of Nothing OS 4.0 is its refreshed design. The update brings new clock styles for the lock screen, redesigned buttons and toggles, and a more organized quick settings panel. Widgets are now resizable, and users can choose larger 2×2 formats for easier access.
The About Phone page has also been revamped, with a cleaner layout, bigger information boxes, and a more polished look.
Extra Dark Mode
A much-requested Extra Dark Mode has finally been added. This deeper dark theme not only enhances the user experience with better contrast but also helps reduce eye strain and improve battery efficiency.
Smarter Multitasking with Pop-up View
The new Pop-up View feature makes multitasking easier. Users can now pin and use two floating app icons on the screen, allowing quick switching between tasks without breaking the workflow.
Revamped Recorder App and Camera Improvements
Nothing OS 4.0 introduces a new recorder app with a redesigned user interface. In addition, the camera experience has been upgraded with creative presets, better controls, and a smarter gallery. This is powered by the company’s Two Lens Engine, which promises improved photography results.
AI Features and Whisper in Essential Space
AI plays a bigger role in this update. A new feature called Whisper is coming to the Essential Space app, showing how AI models are being used in real time. Users will get an AI usage dashboard that makes background activity more transparent and easier to manage.
Performance and System Improvements
Nothing OS 4.0 also focuses on overall performance. The update improves app startup speeds, system smoothness, lock screen responsiveness, and brightness adjustments. Connectivity is also stronger, with better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth stability.
Availability
The open beta of Nothing OS 4.0 will begin soon, starting with the Nothing Phone (3) series. Later, the update will expand to the Nothing Phone (3a, 3a Pro) and the Phone (2) and Phone 2a series. CMF Phone 1 and CMF Phone 2 Pro will be getting direct stable Nothing OS 4.0 update.
With this release, Nothing aims to deliver a software experience that feels more polished, modern, and user-friendly, while staying true to its minimalist design philosophy.
Nothing has officially started rolling out the Nothing OS 4.0 stable update, which is based on Android 16, to all its latest smartphones. The update is now available for the Nothing Phone (2), Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro. These devices are receiving almost the same set of features, with only a few minor differences depending on the model.
Update Size and How to Download
The update size varies between devices. For the Nothing Phone (2), the update size is around 3.26 GB, while the Phone (2a) (I was already on Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta) receive an update of about 1.40 GB. As always, Nothing does not send notifications for updates, so users must manually check by going to Settings → System → System Update and tapping on “Check for Update.” The update may take some time to install depending on internet speed and device state.
Updated Welcome Screen After Installation
Once the update is installed, the phone shows a new welcome screen that explains the main changes. This screen highlights support for Essential Apps, the new preset system, updated clock styles, redesigned status bar icons, Extra Dark Mode, and other Android 16 additions. The overall layout feels cleaner and more refined than before.
New Hidden App Icon Feature
One of the most important additions in Nothing OS 4.0 is the ability to hide app icons directly from the home screen or the app drawer. Users can simply long-press an app and choose the “Hide Icon” option. Once hidden, the app moves into a protected folder that can only be opened after verifying the user’s identity. This makes privacy easier and faster compared to using Private Space.
Improved Search Customization
Universal Search has been improved and can now be customized according to user preferences. Users can decide if results from Contacts, Messages, Calendar, Files, or Gallery should show up when they search for something. This makes search results cleaner and more relevant.
More Widget Options for Home and Lock Screen
Nothing has added several new widget sizes to make the home screen more customizable. Weather, Pedometer, and Screen Time widgets now support multiple size formats. These widgets can also be placed on the lock screen, giving users better access to information without unlocking the phone.
Better and Smarter Quick Settings Panel
The Quick Settings panel now includes several quality improvements. The Bluetooth tile shows connected devices in a swipeable list, while the Wi-Fi tile now includes a Share option that makes sharing network details easier. Many quick toggles can now expand into a larger 2×2 layout. Pop-up view supports two floating apps at once, making multitasking better. In addition, Nothing has added subtle haptic feedback to the volume slider and quick settings actions, making the interface feel more responsive.
Visual Improvements Across the System
Nothing OS 4.0 brings fresh visual changes throughout the interface. Wi-Fi, network, and battery icons in the status bar have been redesigned. Nothing’s own apps, including Weather, Recorder, Camera, and Gallery, now have updated icons. The new Extra Dark Mode gives deeper blacks in menus and system apps, offering a cleaner look and reducing eye strain for users who prefer using their phone in dark environments.
Lock Glance Comes to More Devices
The Lock Glance feature, which shows small informative cards on the lock screen, is now available on the Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro. It displays rotating wallpaper cards with quick information. However, Nothing has recommended leaving it off because it may sometimes show ads or unnecessary content. Still, the option is available for those who want to try it.
Upgraded Glyph Interface
The Glyph Interface has been improved in this update. The Flip to Glyph feature now supports switching the phone to Silent or Vibrate mode. The new Glyph Progress system works with apps like Uber, Zomato, and Google Calendar, showing progress updates on both the screen and the rear Glyph LEDs. This makes the Glyph system more useful in everyday situations.
New Camera Features and UI Changes
The camera app has also received noticeable upgrades. Users now get new camera presets, including the “Stretch” preset created with Jordan Heming. A new slider allows users to adjust the intensity of filters. Motion Photos now record slightly longer clips along with audio, making them more dynamic. The watermark interface has been updated, and the overall camera UI matches the design seen in newer Nothing devices. These improvements make photography more creative and fun for users.
Support for Essential Apps
Nothing OS 4.0 also adds support for Essential Apps, which can be downloaded from the Nothing Playground website. These apps appear as special widgets on the home screen or lock screen and provide quick access to useful features. Users can customize these widgets based on their needs.
Final Thoughts:
Nothing OS 4.0 brings a collection of meaningful improvements across visuals, performance, customization, and everyday usability. Features like hidden apps, better search, new widgets, camera upgrades, Extra Dark Mode, and enhanced Glyph tools make the update feel more polished. Overall, the update improves the user experience and adds more flexibility to how users personalize their phones.
Nothing has officially started rolling out the stable Nothing OS 4.0 update for the Nothing Phone (3). The update, based on Android 16, brings more than 25 new features, improvements, and UI changes. The rollout is currently limited to Phone (3), but other Nothing phones will receive it in the coming days.
New Status Bar Icons
The biggest visual change in Nothing OS 4.0 is the redesigned status bar icons. The Wi-Fi, mobile network, and battery icons now have a cleaner, modern look. These new icons also appear inside the quick settings panel and on the lock screen.
Nothing has also updated its app icon pack. Icons are now available in color instead of only black-and-white, giving the home screen a more lively appearance.
Improved Animations and Haptics
The update brings smoother app opening and closing animations and better app switching.
Haptic feedback has also been improved. Users now feel vibrations at 0% and 100% volume, and even when clearing notifications.
New Widgets
Nothing OS 4.0 adds several new widgets, including:
- Updated weather widget with one-by-one size options
- New pedometer widgets with step count and progress animations
- New screen time widgets in multiple sizes
These widgets give users more customization options on the home screen.
Lock Screen and Notification Improvements
The lock screen now shows a blurred wallpaper behind the PIN screen for a cleaner look.
Notifications also feel more responsive thanks to added haptic feedback and smoother swipe animations.
Hidden App Icons
A much-requested feature, Hidden Apps, is finally back. Users can hide any app icon directly from the app drawer and access the hidden folder after authentication.
Universal Search Upgrade
Universal Search now allows users to customize search results. They can choose whether search should show results from apps, contacts, gallery, messages, and more.
Major Glyph Interface Upgrades
Several improvements have been made to the signature Glyph system:
- Glyph Progress: Shows live progress for supported apps like Uber, Zomato, and Google Calendar
- Glyph Timer: Now available on Phone (3) with new controls
- Glyph Mirror: Saves a dotted “Glyph-style” photo along with the normal photo
- Always-on Glyph Toys: Adds a new “Moon Phase” toy and improves existing ones
- Glyph Matrix Pocket Mode: Prevents Glyph from turning on inside pockets
- Flip to Glyph Enhancements: Automatically enables silent mode or essential notifications
A shortcut button also now opens the Nothing Playground website to download new Glyph toys.
Extra Dark Mode
Extra Dark Mode is now better implemented across the system — in quick settings, app drawer, settings pages, and more — showing pure black backgrounds for improved battery life.
Intelligence Toolkit and AI Tracking
The update includes a new Intelligence Toolkit, which shows:
- AI usage details
- Models used (like Gemini or ChatGPT)
- Activity data for features like Essential Space and ChatGPT shortcuts
Better Quick Settings Panel
Changes include:
- Redesigned Bluetooth tile
- Now every quick settings tile large layout option
- New animations when toggling flashlight and other quick settings, which show text whether it’s turned off or on.
Pop-Up View Enhancements
Users can now open two apps simultaneously in pop-up view and switch between them quickly.
Essential Apps Support
Nothing has added support for Essential Apps, which can be downloaded from the Nothing Playground. Phone (3) supports up to five Essential Apps on the home screen, while other Nothing phones support up to two.
New Recorder App
You also get a new Recorder app with an updated UI, smoother animations, and support for Light Mode. Previously, it only supported Dark Mode.
Nothing has started rolling out the new Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta 2 update for its latest devices — the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. The update size is around 55.44 MB and focuses mainly on bug fixes and performance improvements rather than introducing new features.
According to a post on the Nothing Community forum, the update improves camera preview accuracy. Now, photos taken at certain zoom levels will more closely match what users see in the viewfinder. This helps ensure more accurate photo results.
In addition, the stability of Essential Apps has been optimized for a smoother experience. Many users had reported high memory usage notifications earlier — Nothing claims to have addressed this issue with the latest update.
However, there are no new features added in this beta version. Users can expect bigger visual changes, including new status bar icons, in the upcoming stable Nothing OS 4.0 update, which is expected to arrive by the end of November 2025.
After installation, users reported that the phone performs normally with no connectivity or performance issues. Features like calling, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth continue to work smoothly.
Nothing fans are now eagerly waiting for the Nothing OS 4.0 stable release, hoping for more visual changes and added functionality in the next update.