Firmware
Samsung Galaxy S21 receives March 2023 security patch alongside S22 and S23
Samsung has once again demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the security of its devices with the release of the March 2023 Android security package. This latest update brings a host of fixes to vulnerabilities and other issues, addressing potential threats to user data and privacy. In this announcement, we will delve into the specific fixes and improvements included in the March 2023 security update for Samsung devices, highlighting the benefits that users can expect from this latest release.
It is worth noting that Samsung had previously released the March 2023 security patch for its high-end flagships, Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S23 series. With the latest announcement, the Galaxy S21 device also joins the list. This is a welcome development for Galaxy S21 owners, who can now enjoy enhanced security features with the latest update.
The latest update for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus and Galaxy S21 Ultra has firmware version G991BXXS6EWBB, G996BXXS6EWBB, and G998BXXS6EWBB respectively and brings the March 2023 Android security package, which fixes 51 security and privacy vulnerabilities, as well as providing improvements in the overall stability of the system.
In addition to addressing potential security threats, the March 2023 security patch for Samsung Galaxy S21 also brings several bug fixes and performance improvements. Among the fixes included in this update are issues related to calls, Samsung keyboard, System UI, Galaxy themes, Bluetooth, and more.
Samsung One UI offers several useful features and customization options
It’s important to note that at the moment, the March 2023 security update for Samsung Galaxy S21 is only available in Europe, and it should reach more countries in the coming days. Unfortunately, there is no forecast yet on when it will arrive in the United States.
If you own a Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, or Galaxy S21 Ultra, and you’re eager to check if the March security package is already available for your device, you can do so by going to “Settings”, selecting “Software Update”, and then clicking on “Download and Install”. It is always recommended to keep your device up to date with the latest security updates to ensure the best possible protection against potential security threats. So, don’t hesitate to check for updates regularly and install them as soon as they become available.
Google has started developing its next big iteration, Android 15. To prepare it for the Android device, the company has already started rolling out the beta updates. Earlier this month, the company rolled out the beta 1 update, which introduced a plethora of new features. However, being a beta update, it comes with a lot of bugs, so to fix them, it introduced the next beta 1.1 update, which fixed a crucial NFC bug. Now that it has brought a new update in the form of the beta 1.2 update, it is also coming with a lot of new bug fixes.
What’s new with the Android 15 beta 1.2 update?
Google has officially announced that the company will roll out the new Android 15 beta 2.1 update, which will provide several new fixes related to the freeze display, fix a system performance issue, resolve a system setting crash when trying to add a fingerprint, and many more. Check out the official changelog below.
Android 15 beta 1.2 update changelog
This minor update to Android 15 Beta 1 includes the following fixes:
- I fixed an issue that sometimes caused apps to freeze and display an “Application Not Responding” message. (Issue #328865524)
- Fixed a system performance issue that caused excessive battery drain in some cases. (Issue #335718464, Issue #335188185)
- Fixed an issue that caused the system Settings app to crash when trying to add a fingerprint. (Issue #334035378, Issue #335481930)
- Fixed an issue that prevented the system back gesture from working in some cases. (Issue #331303569, Issue #334738577)
- Fixed an issue that could cause the screen to flicker repeatedly. (Issue #325555461)
The latest beta update is now live for all the eligible Pixel devices; more specifically, it has started rolling out to the Pixel 6 or nearby devices. The latest update is coming with the firmware version number AP31.240322.027. The latest update is coming with the same April 2024 security patch that has already arrived with previous updates. To check for the new version, you just need to go to the system settings, select software update, touch the system update, and tap the check for updates button. You may have to tap the button more than once to trigger the download, but if all this fails, then you can also manually install the update via official factory image files.
We are now at the end of April, but Samsung is still expanding the monthly update for the devices, even though it has rapidly distributed the update to almost all of them. This is due to server limitations, and now the company is rolling out the update for the Galaxy M33 5G and Galaxy A23 5G.
Notably, the Galaxy M33 5G and Galaxy A23 5G are getting an April 2024 security patch update with the firmware version numbers M336BXXS7DXD1 and A236BXXU5DXD6, respectively. With the latest update, these devices don’t get any significant changes but will enhance their security.
For your information, the April 2024 security patch update provides more than 40 fixes, whereas Google has added 27 fixes that address issues related to the Android OS. Meanwhile, Samsung has also added 17 more fixes that will improve the functioning of the Galaxy devices.
You can check for the latest update by going to the system software update via system settings. The April 2024 update will protect users against external threats that can harm important data and provide a seamless experience while using any feature.
If you haven’t received the update on your devices yet, then you should have to wait some more time. Sometimes it takes time to provide every unit of the device. However, once the update becomes available.
Samsung has recently introduced a new software update for multiple devices; however, initially it was spotted on the high-end devices belonging to the Galaxy S series and Galaxy Z series. Now, with the latest development, the company has started rolling out the update to several Galaxy A series devices.
According to the information, Samsung has made a significant software update live for the Galaxy A55, Galaxy A35, Galaxy A54, Galaxy A34, Galaxy A25, Galaxy A15 5G, and A15 4G. It is worth noting that the update has been detected in the European region and is expected to be limited to that only.
According to the latest update, the device will now support the 4G TDD band. However, Samsung has not provided any details about how this feature will benefit Galaxy device users. Based on my observations, it appears that the update will enhance stability and speed on the 4G network.
Here’s the build Numbers:
- Galaxy A55 5G – A556BXXU1AXC4
- Galaxy A35 5G – A356BXXU1AXBB
- Galaxy A34 5G – A346BXXU6BXD2
- Galaxy A25 5G – A256BXXU1AXC8
- Galaxy A15 5G – A156BXXU1AXC4
- Galaxy A15 4G – A155FXXU1AXC4
The company has stated that devices purchased in Germany and used in other countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, will not function in the 4G TDD band.
If you are using any of the above-mentioned smartphones in Europe, then you should start getting new updates. To install them on your device, simply go to the software update menu via the system settings, wait for the update, and then hide the download button that appears.