Nothing has officially started rolling out Nothing OS 4.0, its next-gen operating system based on Android 16, beginning with the Nothing Phone 3. This update brings a suite of design refinements, smarter features, and tighter integration of its signature Glyph Interface.
What’s New in Nothing OS 4.0
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Live Updates + Glyph Progress
- Android 16’s Live Updates (for services like rides, deliveries, timers) now sync with Nothing’s Glyph system.
- On the Phone 3, the rear dot-matrix Glyph shows a progress bar; on other devices, the Glyph lights gradually light up.
- This means you can glance at both the screen and the Glyph to track events, without needing to open apps.
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Refreshed Visual & UI Design
- First-party app icons are redesigned with a more minimal, clean look.
- Status bar icons are refined, following a unified and simplified style.
- New lock-screen clock faces (two new styles) add a more modern aesthetic.
- Animations throughout the OS are smoother, more tactile — app opening, closing, gestures now feel more responsive.
- Haptic feedback is improved; for example, when adjusting volume, you’ll feel subtle vibrations at minimum and maximum levels.
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Extra Dark Mode
- Nothing OS 4.0 introduces a deeper Extra Dark Mode, with richer blacks, higher contrast, and better power efficiency.
- At first, this mode supports core Nothing apps like its Launcher and “Essential Space.”
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Multitasking: Pop-Up View
- A “Pop-up View” lets you open two floating apps simultaneously. Switch between them with simple swipe gestures.
- This makes multitasking more fluid—good for managing two apps without going full-screen.
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More Widget Sizes
- Widgets like Weather, Pedometer, and Screen Time now support 1×1 and 2×1 sizes.
- Quick Settings tiles also support a more compact 2×2 layout for certain tiles.
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Hidden Icons
- You can now hide apps from the App Drawer without moving them into a separate “Private Space.”
- Hidden apps are still accessible via search.
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AI-Powered Features
- Nothing introduces an AI Usage Dashboard so you can track how much AI (LLM) is being used.
- There’s a “Playground (Alpha)” for creative, user-made AI tools (called “Essential Apps” and “Glyph Toys”) — you describe what you want, and AI helps build widgets or mini-apps.
- In “Essential Space,” new Essential Memory functionality helps your phone better understand and recall your saved content.
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Phone 3–Specific Glyph Enhancements
- Glyph Mirror Selfie: When taking a selfie via the Glyph Matrix, you can save an extra “mirror-style” photo.
- Flip-to-Glyph: You can now choose whether flipping the phone (face down) switches it to silent or vibrate mode.
- Pocket Mode: The Glyph Matrix will automatically turn off when it detects the phone is in your pocket, saving battery and preventing accidental activation.
- New Glyph Toys: Hourglass and Lunar Cycle (moon phase) toys make the Glyph more visual and fun.
Why This Update Matters
- Better Integration: The fusion of Android 16’s Live Updates with Nothing’s Glyph system is a clever way to surface meaningful information without being intrusive.
- Design Cohesion: The visual overhaul makes the OS feel more modern, consistent, and less cluttered — improving usability.
- Battery Efficiency: Extra Dark Mode helps with power saving, especially on OLED panels.
- User Productivity: The new Pop-up View boosts multitasking in a phone-first way.
- User Empowerment: With the AI dashboard and custom widget creation (Essential Apps), users have more control and personalization.
- Device Identity: Glyph remains a defining feature of Nothing phones, and this update reinforces its purpose and usefulness.
Rollout Details & Availability
- The stable rollout of Nothing OS 4.0 began on November 21, 2025, starting with the Nothing Phone 3.
- According to Nothing, other Nothing and CMF devices will get the update in the coming weeks.
- For users of older or different Nothing models (like the Phone 3A Lite), the update may take longer — Nothing has hinted at early 2026 for some.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Backup First: As with any major OS upgrade, back up your important data (photos, contacts, etc.) before installing.
- Battery & Performance: Some users may see temporary battery or performance fluctuations immediately after the update, as the system stabilizes.
- Learning Curve: Features like Dual Floating Windows (Pop-up View) and Glyph Progress may take a little time to get used to.
- App Compatibility: While any app supporting Android 16 Live Updates can integrate with Glyph Progress, real-world support depends on whether developers adopt Live Updates properly.
Bottom Line:
Nothing OS 4.0 is a strong, thoughtful update — not just a “number bump.” It modernizes the UI, deepens Glyph integration, and brings smarter tools powered by AI. For Phone 3 users, it's definitely worth installing once the update hits your device.
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