Nothing OS 4.0 Stable Update Released with Extra Dark Mode and More Customisations

After two months of beta testing, Nothing has finally begun the stable rollout of Nothing OS 4.0 to supported phones. Based on Android 16, this update brings refinements to the system, with a focus on smoother animations and several new features.

Nothing OS 4.0 now rolling out to Phone (3) and Phone (3a) series

The stable release follows the Nothing OS 4.0 timeline announced by the brand. The update is first rolling out to Nothing Phone (3) users. It's rolling out in batches, so a wider rollout may take a few days. Users can check for the update by navigating to Settings > System > System Update on their phones.

Nothing OS 4.0 could be considered an incremental update, but it does bring a few meaningful features and improvements to enhance the user experience. One of the key additions is the Extra Dark Mode, which may come in handy for those who prefer a true dark interface.

Then there's Glyph progress, which uses one of Android 16 features called Live updates to show real-time updates in food delivery and commute apps. App support will get better as more developers adopt support for the Live updates API in their apps on Android.

Nothing phones get seamless multitasking and community-driven customisation

Multitasking is also getting a boost with enhanced pop-up floating windows. Users can now seamlessly switch between two floating windows and resize them, adding another layer of productivity on top of the existing split-screen functionality baked into Android.

Customisations-wise, the release brings two new lock screen clock styles, featuring slim and stretched number designs inspired by Apple. The first-party app icons have also been refreshed with newer designs and a more minimal design. Additionally, Quick Settings tiles can now be resized to a larger 2x2 format, displaying more information in certain supported tiles, making them easier to tap without errors.

And it cannot be a 2025 update without a few AI shenanigans. Nothing OS 4.0 adds a new AI Dashboard in the Essential Space. It provides information about how different large language models are operating within the OS, thereby giving users insights and transparency.

Beyond the OS itself, the release also brings Essential Playground, a community hub for sharing user-created widgets, Glyph toys, image presets, sound presets and more, expanding customisation possibilities.

With Nothing OS 4.0, the brand has started showing ads on the lock screen in the form of a new Lock Glimpse feature. Fortunately, users can disable Lock Glimpse on Nothing phones. Besides, the brand has also noted that Nothing OS 4.0 will bring bloatware like the Meta Services and apps like Instagram, Facebook and more on budget phones, but they will be uninstallable.

As for all the Nothing OS 4.0-supported devices, the update is rolling out to Nothing Phone (3) users, and it will roll out to the Phone (3a) series in the next few weeks. The update is scheduled to drop on CMF smartphones in December 2025, whereas the Phone (3a) Lite will get it in January 2026. So, stay tuned!