Welcome to the Samsung Galaxy S21 update hub. Here you’ll find the latest information on updates to the Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. We’ll detail the current software versions for each device and alert you if there’s a new update rolling out. Samsung usually pushes out updates to the entire series, but this may vary per variant and carrier.
All the three Galaxy S21 series phones launched with Android 11 and Samsung’s One UI 3.1 skin on top. Samsung will offer three major Android OS updates to the Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra. The company also guarantees four years of security updates for all devices.
- Current stable version: Android 11
- When will the Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra get Android 12? December 2021 (Estimated)
Latest Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra update
August 10, 2021: Samsung Galaxy S21 models in the US are now gaining the latest August 2021 security patch, after the update initially rolled out in China late last month, and parts of Europe last week.
According to SamMobile, firmware version G99XU1UEU4AUGE is part of the package and should be available for those tied to networks or carrying unlocked Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra models. There’s no word on what this update may entail, but expect the usual helping of fixes and security buffs. According to Verizon‘s patch notes for the S21 Ultra, the firmware also provides “performance improvements.”
To check if the update’s available for your device head to Settings > Software update and tap on Download and install.
Previous Samsung Galaxy S21 series updates
- July 13, 2021: Firmware version G99xBXXU3AUG4 brought Android Auto fixes to the S21 series.
- June 22, 2021: Samsung Galaxy S21 series users in the US gained firmware version G99xUSQU4AUF5 (h/t SamMobile). The update brought improved Portrait mode effects, addressed overheating issues, and reduced the lag when zooming. The June 2021 Android security patch was also included.
- June 17, 2021: Samsung rolled out a new update with firmware version G99xxXXU3AUF6 in South Korea, Germany, and Thailand (h/t SamMobile). The update brought fixes to the camera lag issues, it remedied overheating problems and added improved Portrait mode effects.
- May 28, 2021: Samsung started rolling out the June security patches for the Galaxy S21 series (h/t SamMobile) in a few countries. The update carries firmware version G991NKSU3AUE8, G996NKSU3AUE8, and G998NKSU3AUE8 for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra respectively.
- April 27, 2021: Samsung rolled out firmware version G99xBXXU3AUDA (h/t SamMobile) to the Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra with a hefty download size of 1.2GB. It brought the May 2021 security patch to the phones and contained improvements to both the camera and Quick Share feature.
- March 29, 2021: Samsung rolled out firmware version G99xxXXU2AUCB (h/t SamMobile) to the Galaxy S21 series. It weighed in at around 1.14GB and brought the April 2021 security patch alongside a number of camera improvements. The Portrait mode was made usable on the phones’ primary shooter. The changelog also pointed to “overall device performance” improvements.
- February 14, 2021: This Samsung Galaxy S21 update brought firmware version G99xBXXU1AUB6 and weighed in just under 260MB. Per the changelog, it brought device stability improvements, additional performance buffs, and enhanced features.
- February 1, 2021: The Galaxy S21 series received the February 2021 Android security patch in its first post-launch update. However, users on Reddit and Samsung’s forums discovered the update may have caused battery drain issues on some devices. Those experiencing issues noted that switching the phone to airplane mode halted the drain, which suggested mobile network connectivity was the culprit.
- January 26, 2021: Well before the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra landed in consumers’ hands, Samsung rolled out two updates. Per SamMobile, firmware versions G991BXXU1AUAB, G996BXXU1AUAB, and G998BXXU1AUAC improved camera and device performance and weighed in at around 278MB.
What Samsung Galaxy S21 update are you running? Let us know in the comments. Also, if you’ve spotted an OTA that we haven’t, tip us!
If you’re looking for another update, be sure to visit our Android 11 update tracker.