When will your Nothing phone receive an upgrade to Nothing OS 5 and Android 17?

If you have a Nothing phone you’ll be happy to hear that Android 17 has finally rolled out. The Nothing OS 5.0 (Nothing’s version of Android 17) has started rolling out as a general release to the Nothing Phone (3) in mid-October.

It’s rolled out pretty quickly. The open beta started on August 26, and the Nothing Phone (3) was the first to go in and out. Nothing says the stable release gives everyone the full experience.

It’s a staggered release so some of you will have received it already. This is typical for Android updates, so you might not see it on your phone today.

According to the Nothing roadmap (as reported by GSMArena):

Nothing Phone 3 – Mid October 2026

Nothing Phone 4a, 4a Pro, 3a and 3a Pro – Early November 2026

Nothing Phone 2a and 2a Plus – Mid November 2026

Nothing Phone 3a Lite – Late December 2026

Nothing Phone 4b and CMF Phone 2 Pro – Mid January 2027

This is an expected date, and not a guaranteed one. The Nothing 4a and 3a family could receive a general release in late October or November (according to Android Central).

A few models have already started receiving the update. According to the roadmap, the Nothing Phone 4a Pro went into open beta in early September. The Nothing Phone 4a, 3a and 3a Pro followed in late September. All four are still in open beta (according to Android Central).

The Nothing Phone 2a and 2a Plus are now receiving open beta (October 23, GSMArena). The Nothing Phone 4b will receive beta in mid-December. The Nothing Phone 3a Lite and CMF Phone 2 Pro won’t receive beta at all and will receive the stable release.

Stable means it’s the final version. Beta is not complete.

There’s a whole new look with the new Geist font. New icons, spacing and animations. As well as updated Settings, status bar, camera and Gallery.

More personalisation options. More options for your home screen, lock screen and widgets. Dynamic colours to match your wallpaper, micrographics widget and Collector widget to add pictures to your home screen (T3). New clock faces for the lock screen (GSMArena).

There is a dedicated Glyph app. Upgraded Essential AI features. Improved real-time transcription and Smart Collections (Android Central).

Split notifications and Quick Settings (T3). Live updates from compatible apps (such as taxi or food delivery) (T3). Faster Bluetooth controls, faster Essential Voice, improved screen recording and Recents. New sorting options in Gallery. New Essential Apps Builder app (GSMArena summary).

One thing that may interest US users is that Quick Share now has a QR code option for iPhone users (T3). Enhanced Quick Share (GSMArena summary).

Not many details have been given. We haven’t tested it, but it’s definitely worth trying out once you get it.

Open Settings > System > System update and tap to check for updates. (Android Central & T3). You should receive a notification normally.

Always back up your phone before installing a major version.

If your phone is on the beta list download the latest Nothing Beta Hub app from the Nothing website (GSMArena). Open Settings > System > Nothing Beta Hub. Tap Check Version and select Join Beta. You should receive the beta as an over-the-air update within a few minutes.

However, if you want to roll back to a stable version you will lose all data on your phone (Request Rollback). We recommend backing up your data first. If this is your only phone it’s a good idea to wait until you get the stable version.

According to GSMArena, Nothing state that the Nothing Phone (1), (2) and CMF Phone 1 are at the end of their major software support and won’t receive Nothing OS 5.0.

The Nothing Phone (2) has an old software stack. In a Reddit AMA, the CEO Carl Pei explained that “the kernel is unfortunately too old.” The chipset vendor won’t support Android 17 on the phone. The Nothing Phone (2) will end on Android 16.

Nothing originally stated that they would provide three major Android updates. Pei first said the Nothing Phone (2) received four major updates (from Android 13 to 16), then corrected himself and said they had met what they originally promised, not gone beyond it. Nothing aren’t known for providing long software support (T3).

Nothing aren’t a big player in the US. In March, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro was announced to be coming to the US for $499 (via Amazon). However, the base model won’t be sold in the US. Nothing don’t have any carrier partnerships in the US (9to5Google). Prices may have changed so check before purchasing.

Nothing are growing quickly in the US. They’re growing their team and partnerships. For example, they’ve rolled out to Best Buy nationwide (Android Authority report from September AMA). No figures were given.

Pei also told fans that whilst they’ve found a good fit for their audio products they’re not entirely sure about their phone strategy. A Nothing phone needs to be meaningfully better than an iPhone for Americans, and they’re still figuring out what that is (Android Authority summary, not a direct quote).

Pei admitted that they should reduce the number of semi-compulsory app installations and game promotion. They should find a better balance between providing value to users and making money. “Less but better.”

He also mentioned that the design team should bring back the ethos of the Nothing Phone (1). However, this doesn’t mean they’ll bring back the phone. Key remapping for the Essential Key is being developed for Nothing OS 5.1. Shared Widgets and Essential Search aren’t a priority right now.

These were answers to fan questions.

We have not tested Nothing OS 5.0. Everything below is from published sources.

Nothing don’t mention any specific regions so we cannot confirm exactly when US owners will receive it. Nothing state it is a staggered rollout. The dates shown above are expected dates. Some sources mention the Nothing 4a and 3a family may receive it in late October or November (Android Central). The roadmap states early November.

Android Central don’t mention any known issues with the stable version. However, this is early on and usually issues will be reported after a few days of wider rollout.

In our opinion, if you have a Nothing Phone (3) and it shows up it looks like a decent update to receive. It was the first to go into beta and stable.

If this is your only phone it makes sense to wait a few days to see any initial bugs. Only join the beta if you don’t mind incomplete software. If you have a 4a or 3a model you can expect to receive the stable version in early November (roadmap). Don’t rush into beta software.

We’ll update this article as more phones receive the stable version.

Android Central, Beta no more: Nothing OS 5 (Android 17) is rolling out for the Phone 3 (October 13, 2026): https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/nothing-phones/nothing-os-5-android-17-is-rolling-out-for-the-phone-3

T3 via Yahoo Tech, Your Nothing Phone (3) just got the massive feature update you've been waiting for (October 13, 2026): https://tech.yahoo.com/phones/articles/nothing-phone-3-just-got-100000532.html

GSMArena, Nothing OS 5.0 officially debuts, rollout detailed (August 25, 2026): https://www.gsmarena.com/nothing_os_50_rollout_officially_detailed_heres_what_you_can_expect-news-74330.php

GSMArena, Two more Nothing phones get Nothing OS 5.0 beta (October 23, 2026): https://www.gsmarena.com/two_more_nothing_phones_get_nothing_os_50_beta-news-75180.php

Android Authority, Nothing CEO AMA on Android 17, software, design and US growth (September 7, 2026): https://androidauthority.com/nothing-ceo-ama-android-17-software-design-us-growth-3708169

9to5Google, Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is coming to the US for the first time and, at $499, I can't wait (March 6, 2026): https://9to5google.com/2026/03/06/nothing-phone-4a-pro-us-release-price/