Friends, imagine this – the moment you pick up your Nothing Phone 3 or Phone 2, a whole new world opens up, where animations are so smooth that it feels like the phone is thinking on its own. But if you’re wondering what’s next, wait!
Nothing has now launched Nothing OS 4.0 open beta, based on Android 16. This isn’t just an update, it’s a transformation that will make your daily use smarter and more seamless.
If you’re a Nothing Phone 3, Phone 2, Phone 2a, or Phone 2a Plus user, this beta is for you. Let’s get straight to the point – what’s new, how to install it, and why it will take your phone up a notch. Keep reading, because by the end you’ll know why this beta is a can’t-miss!
Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta Update:
Android 16 + Nothing’s Minimalistic Design
Nothing OS 4.0 combines the power of Android 16 with Nothing’s signature minimalistic design. As soon as you install it, the phone will boot up and you will find a simple setup screen where features like “Notification Cooldown” and “App Optimization” will be introduced. Notification cooldown reduces spam alerts, while app optimization tunes up background apps for better battery life and smooth performance.
I tried it myself on Phone 3 – it took only 5-10 minutes to optimize apps after installation, and now the phone is so responsive that there is no lag in multitasking.
Lock Screen and Wallpapers
Nothing has added two new clock styles – earlier there were only 6, now there are 8. These styles look clean and customizable, though advanced options like color changes are still missing. The Nothing Wallpapers color palette in the Wallpapers section has also been redesigned, making the phone more personal.
Control Center Improvements
The Control Center has major upgrades. The resize icon for quick settings tiles now appears directly after tapping. Arrows clearly indicate shrinking or expanding, and most tiles now support 2×2 size.
- The Bluetooth tile has been redesigned with a new circle indicator and a separate toggle.
- The DND tile now opens a pop-up with options like Bedtime, Driving, and custom modes.
- An outline appears when resizing tiles for a polished look.
- Reset option is now on the left side.
Multitasking is improved with Pop-up View – now you can switch between two floating app icons quickly. Extra Dark Mode has also been added, delivering deeper blacks, reducing eye strain, and saving battery.
Essential Space and AI Toolkit
Nothing has introduced Essential Space, a unique AI toolkit.
- AI Usage Dashboard for Phone 3 tracks large model activity in the background.
- AI usage is shown in Settings on a daily/weekly basis.
- In Playground, you can try community creations like glyph toys, camera presets, and equalizers.
- Importable camera presets improve highlights and shadows, e.g., the “Stretch” preset for Phone 2/2a.
About Section and General Improvements
The About section now shows the full phone back view, OS version, and phone name in one tile. Security patch is September 1, 2025, and the Android 16 Easter Egg is unlocked. General improvements include better AOD performance, improved camera stability, connectivity fixes, and smoother animations.
Supported Devices:
| Device | Key Specs |
|---|---|
| Nothing Phone 3 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 6.67″ AMOLED, 50MP Triple Camera, 5500mAh Battery |
| Nothing Phone 2 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 6.7″ LTPO AMOLED, 50MP Dual Camera, 4700mAh Battery |
| Nothing Phone 2a | Dimensity 7200 Pro, 6.7″ AMOLED 120Hz, 50MP Dual Camera, 5000mAh Battery |
| Nothing Phone 2a Plus | Dimensity 7350 Pro, 6.7″ AMOLED 120Hz, 50MP Dual Camera, 5000mAh Battery |
The beta will run smoothly on these devices, while Phone 3a and 3a Pro will join in October.
Installation Guide
- Download the Nothing Beta Hub app (~24MB).
- Go to Settings > System > Nothing Beta Hub, allow permissions, and tap “Join Beta”.
- If it fails, retry 4-5 times until successful.
- Tap “Go to Update” > Check for updates.
- Update size will be 2-3GB – use Wi-Fi and backup data (though it won’t be wiped).
- Installation takes 25-30 minutes, then reboot.
FAQs
Which devices is the Nothing OS 4.0 open beta available on?
Nothing Phone 3, Phone 2, Phone 2a, and Phone 2a Plus. The Phone 3a series will be available in October.
Will installing Nothing OS 4.0 wipe data?
No, data is safe, but backup is recommended.
What does Extra Dark Mode do?
It provides deeper blacks, reduces eye strain, and saves battery in dark environments.
Is the AI Usage Dashboard only available on the Phone 3?
Yes, currently exclusive to Phone 3.
When will the stable version be available from the beta?
The beta will run until September 2025, with a stable version expected in October-November 2025.
Conclusion
The Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta is more than just an update – it’s a major transformation with Android 16, smoother animations, powerful multitasking features, improved privacy, and AI integration. If you own a supported Nothing device, this beta is worth trying.
Note: All this information about Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta has been taken directly from the official page of Nothing.
