Nothing OS 4.0 Update Rolls Out With Camera and UI Upgrades — Here’s What’s New & How to Install

The smartphone world is abuzz as Nothing begins the rollout of its much-anticipated operating system update: Nothing OS 4.0 Update. Based on Android 16, this new OS version promises a smoother, more refined user experience for Nothing Phone users — boasting camera enhancements, interface upgrades, better customization, improved privacy, and renewed performance.

In this post, we break down the key features of Nothing OS 4.0, explain how to install the update, and discuss what it means for users of Nothing Phone (2), Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, and other supported devices.

What is Nothing OS 4.0 Update & Who Gets It

Nothing OS 4.0 is the latest major system update from Nothing — built on Android 16, and designed to bring a more fluid, responsive and visually modern experience to its compatible devices.

The rollout began on November 21, 2025, for newer models and now, as of 28 November 2025, the update is reaching users of Nothing Phone (2), Nothing Phone (2a), and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.

According to Nothing’s official release notes, the update brings refreshed icons, smoother animations, refreshed Quick Settings, improved multitasking and more — aiming to tighten every aspect of the system for a more coherent user experience.

What’s New in Nothing OS 4.0 Update — Features & Improvements

Nothing OS 4.0 introduces a mixture of visual, functional, and performance upgrades. Some of the standout enhancements include:

Cleaner, refreshed UI & smoother interactions

• The update brings redesigned system icons and first-party app icons, resulting in a cleaner, more minimalist home-screen and app drawer.
• Animations and transitions are smoother and more natural, giving navigation a more fluid feel.
• Status bar, lock screen, Quick Settings panel — all have received visual upgrades for a consistent and modern look.

Enhanced multitasking & usability

• The new Pop-Up View allows users to run two apps simultaneously in floating windows — ideal for multitasking without switching full-screen apps.
• Quick Settings now support 2×2 tiles — simplifying access to frequently used settings.
• Users can now hide apps directly from the home screen or app drawer, helping keep their interface clean and personalized.

Smarter Dark & Display Modes

• An expanded Extra Dark Mode is introduced, allowing for darker themes across the system — reducing eye strain and giving a sleek visual experience, especially useful at night or in low-light environments.
• New lock screen clock styles and improved Always On Display (where supported) offer better convenience and style.

Camera Upgrades & Creative Tools

The camera system gets a series of meaningful upgrades: according to the update notes and coverage, users will enjoy:

• New creative filters including “stretch-style” filters for artistic effects.
• Longer Motion Photo recordings — including audio — letting you capture short cinematic moments rather than just stills.
• New official Nothing-branded watermarks and artistic frames — catering especially to creators and social media users.
• A refreshed camera UI and improved interaction — making the camera easier and more intuitive to use.

Privacy, Performance & AI Enhancements

• As a major update built on Android 16, Nothing OS 4.0 Update brings the underlying improvements of the base — better battery management, security enhancements, and more stable system performance overall.
• For users concerned about AI and background processes, the update reportedly includes improved privacy controls — giving users more transparency and control over what runs in the background.
• Connectivity improvements include better brightness control, more stable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi performance — aiming for a smoother overall daily phone experience.

How to Install Nothing OS 4.0 Update — Step-by-Step Guide

If you own a supported Nothing Phone model (Phone 2, 2a, 2a Plus, or other eligible devices), here’s how you can check for and install the update:

1. Open Settings → go to System → then tap System updates to check if Nothing OS 4.0 is available for your device.
2. Since this is a major OS update, the download size is typically large (often in the range of 3–5 GB). Ensure that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection before downloading.
3. Free up sufficient internal storage space to allow the update to download and install properly.
4. Charge your phone (or ensure battery is at least ~40–50%) before starting the installation — to avoid interruptions.
5. Once the update shows up, accept and begin installation. The phone will reboot and install the update — after which you can explore the new features.

This process aligns with official recommendations for safe and smooth OS upgrades.

What This Update Means for Nothing Users

For existing Nothing Phone owners, Nothing OS 4.0 Update is more than just a cosmetic refresh. It represents a matured, more polished platform — one that balances aesthetics, performance, and practicality. The refined UI and smoother animations make day-to-day use more pleasant, while multitasking improvements and camera upgrades add real value, especially for productivity and content creators.

Moreover, the privacy and performance enhancements build confidence: as smartphones evolve into personal hubs for work, content, and communication, having a stable, efficient and privacy-aware OS backbone becomes a key differentiator.

For prospective buyers — knowing that Nothing supports its devices with major OS updates like 4.0 boosts the long-term value and future-proofing of Nothing phones.

👉 Also Read: Nothing Phone 3a Lite Launched in India.

Conclusion

Nothing OS 4.0 Update arrives as a significant milestone for the brand and its users: combining sleek UI refreshes, functional upgrades, camera and creative tools, multitasking enhancements, and underlying performance improvements. If you own a compatible Nothing Phone, updating sooner rather than later is likely to give you a noticeably smoother and more satisfying smartphone experience.

Have you installed the update already? What’s your favourite new feature so far — the camera filters, Pop-Up View multitasking, or the cleaner UI?

Let us know in the comments!