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.
